Come be a part of the Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program and make a wonderful impact on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth! Our internship program in Hebron, West Bank, is open to everyone. This is whether you’re a native or non-native English speaker, a student, a graduate, a professional, or a retiree. If you’re passionate about improving local Palestinian students’ English and life skills, this is your chance to join us and make a difference. We’d love to have you on board!
As an intern in the West Bank, you get to visit local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and villages around Hebron. You’ll contribute meaningfully to the West Bank, Palestine, and Palestinian communities here. Furthermore, you will help Palestinian students gain important skills and knowledge while learning about their culture and way of life. It’s a perfect internship opportunity for anyone passionate about education, Palestinian community development, and making a positive impact in the West Bank.
Our Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program is for everyone who speaks English. This can be whether you’re a student, professional, retiree, or graduate. It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in interning in Palestine, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Middle East, or the wider Arabic world.
Intern in Palestinian Schools 2025/2026
Study in Palestine now accepts applications for its Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program for 2025/2026. This program is perfect for individuals passionate about education, language development, and cultural exchange. Interns will be able to teach English and assist with life skills education in local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and rural communities around Hebron. By working closely with Palestinian students, interns will help enhance their learning experience while gaining insight into Palestinian culture, daily life, and local communities’ challenges.
This internship is open to native and non-native English speakers worldwide, including students, graduates, professionals, and retirees. Interns will contribute to Palestinian youth’s academic growth and engage in meaningful cultural exchange, learning Arabic and experiencing firsthand life in the West Bank. Whether you want to gain international teaching experience, support community development, or immerse yourself in Palestinian culture, this program offers a rewarding and impactful experience.
Table of Contents
A Wide Range Of Impact
This well-researched and targeted internship is suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian life, education, teaching English, and human rights.
We aim to make a long-term difference for the Palestinian local community by exchanging ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes.” Our volunteer and internship programs foster shared and mutual learning for our community, volunteers, and interns. When you take on the role of a volunteer teacher, you not only help others learn, but you will also learn so much from your students. This will impact your life even after you leave Palestine.
Immerse Yourself in Palestinian Culture
Our internship program is designed to immerse you fully in Palestinian culture. It is also designed to forge strong relationships whilst challenging you as a person. You will work alongside the Palestinian men, women, and children of the local area. This will allow you to meet many new people and study a new language. Additionally, you will learn more about the local Palestinians and refugees living in and around Hebron.
First, you will arrive at Study in Palestine and complete your personalized orientation. Then, you can design and create your workshops to benefit Palestinian children and youth. These workshops will make up the majority of your workload during your time in the West Bank, Palestine. Previous workshops created by volunteers have included:
- Fun days for Palestinian children in the refugee camps
- Conversational English language courses
- Arts and music courses for disabled children
- Media training for students
- Environmental camps for students
- Mathematics lessons
- Drama lessons
- Journalism workshops for high school students
- Medical workshops, such as first-aid courses
This program is open to everyone who is willing to participate. It is open to people from all countries, all majors, and all walks of life.
Intern With Palestinian Children And Youth In the Summer
The Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program in the summer is ideal for you if you want to engage with Palestinian children and youth in the summer. This program is especially suitable for university students who are looking for internships to gain practical in-person experiences in Palestine and the Middle East.
We operate our internship programs year-round. However, we also have dedicated summer volunteer programs specifically designed for students looking for opportunities to volunteer abroad. One can intern by teaching and volunteering with children and youth while gaining credit towards their studies. Study in Palestine can grant our already enrolled university students academic credit. This is due to collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.
Please note that students in Palestine have school holidays in the summer. Therefore, our summer programs will differ slightly from those running throughout the year. However, there will still be many exciting and different opportunities to participate in whenever you join us.
We invite you to join this program to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to travel throughout the summer. You will obtain practical experience in a related profession and work towards your degree simultaneously.
Experience The Palestinian School System
In this internship, we want to bridge the gap between the Palestinian students in Hebron and the international volunteers who come to the Center. This is for two reasons:
1) To allow the students to become familiar with foreign nationals
2) To enable you to experience and understand the Palestinian school system yourself directly
Many Palestinians in Hebron have never met or talked to a foreign national. This is due to the Israeli Occupation limiting Palestinians’ prospects for traveling abroad and greatly limiting the tourism industry in Hebron. Palestinian students may experience a range of emotions when meeting with internationals. Some might be a bit scared and shy, and some will be very excited and eager to communicate with you and learn more about you.
Palestinians learn English in school. However, they have limited opportunities to practice speaking English with fluent English speakers (whether native or non-native). This program helps to bridge that gap by connecting international English speakers with Palestinian children and youth. This will not only help them improve their English through practice but also help them improve their confidence, which will benefit their English and their overall self-esteem.
This program gives you a unique insight into the Palestinian school system by allowing you to experience it for yourself. It also allows you to learn and teach at the same time. You will be able to learn from other teachers and students while also getting practical experience through participation and teaching.
Overview of the Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program
| Year-round | Hebron, West Bank, Palestine |
| Program Language | English |
| Volunteering Duration | 1-13 weeks |
| Starting/ Ending Dates | Year-round, flexible |
| Program Focus | Palestinian children and refugees Palestinian schools students Volunteering with Palestinian children Internship with Palestinian refugees |
| Monthly Costs | Check Prices Here |
| Homestay in Hebron | Palestinian host family Male dorm Private (additional fees apply) |
| Educational Degree | Not required |
| University Credit | Available |
| Application Deadline | No deadline |
| Reviews and Ratings | Reviews On Gooverseas.com Reviews On Goabroad.com Participants video testimonials |
Program Fees Cover:
- Pre-departure and in-country support
- Accommodation
- Language courses
- Center’s operating costs
- Breakfast (Mon – Fri)
- Group excursions within Hebron
- Certificate of completion
A Flexible Volunteering Program
As an intern, you are welcome to choose what kind of activities you would like to organize during your program. You can also choose if you would like to work with certain target groups.
We understand that our international participants have different skills, interests, and circumstances. Therefore, we are very flexible with the kinds of activities and experiences you wish to have. We also make the program length very flexible, anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks. You can choose the option that best suits you.
When You Arrive In Hebron, Palestine
Before deciding on a schedule, interns will be welcomed to the Center and given an orientation. This will be about Hebron and Palestinian culture, including both Arabic classes and an introduction to Palestinian culture.
The Center will provide you with accommodation with a Palestinian host family so that you can be as involved as possible in the Palestinian community and culture. They will help you with your acclimatization and any issues that might arise. Male volunteers may instead stay at a male dorm.
After the introductory week, you will decide what activities to develop and present to your students. This decision will be based on your knowledge, interests, and experience level. You will have a lot of control over this process.
Which Kind Of Activities Can You Organize?
At Study in Palestine, we strive to provide our volunteers with a flexible and customized experience that aligns with their interests and goals. We are happy to work with you to create a volunteering plan that suits your preferences and skills.
Currently, our program offers a variety of opportunities, including:
- Teaching conversational English to Palestinian children, youth, and refugee children in local schools in and around Hebron.
- Planning and organizing interactive activities such as painting, photography, and writing workshops.
- Organizing activities aimed at entertaining refugee children in Hebron.
- Assisting in organizing weekly workshops for Palestinian refugees on educational-related subjects. This could be writing resumes and formal emails, teaching employment, and educational writing skills.
- I help the Center’s staff with administration-related activities, such as writing articles and reports and printing materials for the students.
By participating in our volunteer program, you can gain valuable experience and make a meaningful contribution to the local community. We look forward to working with you to create a volunteering plan that aligns with your interests and goals.
Benefits Of Volunteering
Our volunteer in local schools program in the West Bank, Palestine, offers many benefits, including:
- Living in Hebron and undertaking trips to the old city, holy sites, and more
- Gain practical teaching experience and experience working with Palestinian children, students, and youth
- Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers
- 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week
- Exposure to daily life in Hebron, Palestinian culture and society
- Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family or in our male apartment
- The opportunity to eat and enjoy local Palestinian foods and desserts
- Palestinian cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities
- Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with a particular native perspective, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- The ability to visit nearby cities as well as those in Jordan, including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth
- A participant’s certificate upon completion
Who Comes To Intern?
Study in Palestine does not discriminate based on any basis, including a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernible means.
Furthermore, we have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe, including those from: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, China and New Zealand.
To volunteer in a local Palestinian school, you should be:
- Willing to work with diverse Palestinian children, youth, and school students
- A student or graduate who seeks teaching experience
- Someone interested in the educational system in Palestine
- An interest or major in English or education
- 18+ and willing to make an impact on the local community
- Someone who desires to help the future leaders of Palestine
Required:
- 18+
- The ability to communicate in English
- The ability to work with an international team
- Patience and enthusiasm
- To be eager to learn
Not Required:
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel or work experience
- To be a native speaker of English
- A degree in English or any specialization
- Experience in teaching English as a foreign language
Is a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate Required?
No, having a TEFL certificate is not a requirement. You will receive a teaching manual and all the necessary resources and materials.
Arabic Lessons For Interns
All our international volunteers and interns receive 3 hours of Arabic classes a week or 12 hours a month with an experienced and knowledgeable Palestinian teacher. This foundation ensures that all interns will have plenty of chances to interact with locals and learn and practice the language.
No matter your Arabic level, from total beginner to advanced, we make our Arabic lessons suitable for you. On top of that, you can freely choose what kind of Arabic you would like to learn.
Arabic Dialects To Learn
All of our participants receive a choice of Arabic dialects to study during their time in the West Bank. As part of your volunteer placement, we offer a choice of:
- Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect)
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Mixed Program: (Modern Standard Arabic & Shami Arabic)
If you are unsure about the difference or which dialect will best suit you, we are always here to help and offer advice.
Program Accommodation
When residing in Hebron, male program participants can either stay with a Palestinian host family (depending on availability) or in a very nice apartment just a 5-minute walk from our center. Both options offer unique advantages.
Staying in the apartment provides extra time to bond with other participants and volunteers, fostering a sense of community. Located near Hebron’s metropolitan center, the apartment offers convenient access to explore the vibrant city with fellow roommates, opening the door to many new and exciting experiences!
The second option available to participants will be to reside with a Palestinian host family. This option will provide participants with an intimate view of Palestinian daily life, customs, and culture, familiarize them with family structures, and allow them to taste some of the delicious Palestinian cuisine. It’s also likely that participants residing with a host family will be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience!
A Typical Day for Participants of the Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program
With two days off, you will be expected to work approximately 25-30 hours a week, from around 10 am until 5 pm, from Saturday to Thursday. One of your days off will be Friday and another day of your choice.
International volunteers start the day every morning with breakfast at Study in Palestine. Breakfast is shared with Palestinian teachers, volunteers/interns, and the center’s directors. This offers you exposure to traditional Palestinian foods such as labneh and hummus and the opportunity to practice your Arabic further. You may arrange to have lunch whenever you have a break from your schedule. It is easy to find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, shawarma, and falafel shops near the Center.
During the day, you will also have the opportunity to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron. These are coordinated by Study in Palestine alongside your program’s commitments. Evenings are typically free, although we will organize occasional optional activities as part of our commitment to showcasing Palestine’s culture. During the evenings, interns often arrange to go to a cafe to study, socialize, or have dinner at a restaurant together. You can also spend time with your host family (only for female volunteers), or go to a local gym.
In addition to your work on the local schools program, you will also have your Arabic class schedule and time to prepare for any workshops that you oversee. This is alongside your free time, where you can undertake excursions to other cities.
Indeed, you may be surprised by how fast your schedule will fill up and how quickly your time will fly!
When Does the Program Accept Interns?
Inter in Palestine welcomes international volunteers year-round and allows them to decide when they would like to start their program. We are very flexible with starting and ending dates. You can choose your volunteer period between one and thirteen weeks.
We understand that everyone has different schedules and availability. Therefore, we work with each intern to create a program that fits their individual needs. Whether you want to intern for a few weeks during your summer break or for several months during your gap year, we can help you design a program that aligns with your goals and availability.
Safety Of Our Volunteers And Interns
The region of Palestine is perpetually unstable. The situation sometimes becomes more volatile while there is always unrest and war. Nonetheless, millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank without any yearly safety issues, including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities. Palestinians, in general, are welcoming and hospitable people, and they recognize that the politics of a country may differ from its people.
Since its formation in 2011, Study in Palestine has welcomed over 1,000 international visitors. These visitors have lived and worked in Hebron for weeks or months at a time. Overall, they never faced any threats or safety issues while in Hebron or the West Bank.
Moreover, Study in Palestine is situated in the heart of Hebron, in an area under Palestinian authority. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are also located near the Center.
Do I Need a Visa to Intern in the West Bank?
Most of our international participants get a three-month tourist visa when they fly to Israeli airports or cross from Jordan to the West Bank.
Generally, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine. However, please refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This is sufficient for participation in Study in Palestine’s programs and to enable you to travel around Palestine and Israel easily.
Traveling To Hebron, Palestine
Study in Palestine has compiled vast information for those wishing to travel to Hebron efficiently, safely, and practically.
You may find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron, Palestine, in these three articles, along with the rest of this article:
Tel Aviv Airport Pickups
Study in Palestine staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport. It will take you straight to Hebron and the Center. This is the easiest and fastest way (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to Study in Palestine.
This trip has additional fees (about 170 Euros). If you are interested in this option, please contact Study in Palestine’s staff.
Pre-departure Support
Study in Palestine will organize calls with you via WhatsApp, write invitation letters, and send travel instructions. We can also give you advice on different topics related to your travels, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in volunteering with us.
Reviews, Awards, And Recognition
Study in Palestine has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards and recognized as the Best Language School and Top Volunteer and Internship Program Provider for 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For more details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +860 reviews (96%) on gooverseas.com
- +175 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Summary
The Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program offers a unique chance for university students, graduates, and those on sabbaticals to make a difference in Hebron, Palestine, while immersing themselves in Palestinian culture. Participants can apply a wide range of skills to engage with local communities, particularly children and youth, through English classes, art workshops, and healthcare initiatives. The program accommodates various interests and backgrounds, allowing volunteers to contribute meaningfully.
Volunteering in the West Bank presents an enriching experience regardless of language proficiency or academic focus. Participants can learn Arabic, deepen their understanding of Palestinian society, and gain valuable insights into fields like childhood education and refugee welfare. With opportunities for academic credit and flexible durations, the program invites individuals to engage in impactful work year-round, fostering personal growth and long-lasting perspectives on global issues.
How To Apply For The Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program
If you want to volunteer with us at Inter in Palestine, please email Info@ecpalestine.org with the subject line “Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program.” We will then send you the application form so you can start your journey with us.
Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the application process. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to impact the lives of Palestinian children and youth positively.
Find Us Online
Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://studyinpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Volunteer in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
