The Volunteer/Internship Program with Palestinian Children offers students, professionals, retirees, and teachers an excellent opportunity to work directly with Palestinian children in the West Bank. It welcomes anyone interested in volunteering or interning, regardless of their first language.
Those interested in childhood education can benefit from volunteering or interning with children in Palestine. Participants are immersed in Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, human rights, and education.
Volunteers can join our program for 1 to 13 weeks, with flexible start and end dates year-round. All backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, but participants must be at least 18.
As a volunteer or intern in Hebron, West Bank, you will meet many Palestinian children eager to interact with visitors. Supporting their growth positively impacts their well-being and the future of their country, making a difference in both their lives and yours.
Table of Contents
General Information Regarding Program Costs and Components:
| Place of Program | Hebron, West Bank, Palestine |
| Program Fees | 750€ per Month 250€ per Week |
| Program Focus | Volunteer with Palestinian kids, refugees, and disabled children in West Bank |
| Age | 18-70 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration | 1 Week |
| Maximum Duration | 13 Weeks |
| Arabic lessons | 3 hours per week |
| Class Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Number of Volunteers | Varied (3-5 Volunteers) |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Reviews | Reviews and Ratings on Gooverseas Reviews and Ratings on Goabroad Video testimonials |
| Airport Pickup | Available (Fee applies) |
| University Credit | Available |
| Program Language | English |
An Immersive Experience with Palestinian Children
Volunteer/Internship With Palestinian Children will be a fully immersive experience for all involved. Volunteers will not only have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children in various subjects. Still, they will also live and breathe Palestinian culture, the Arabic language, and the rich history of the Levant! This will occur in several ways.
Volunteers can experience daily life in Palestine by staying with a Palestinian host family or in an all-male dorm in Hebron.
Engagement with Palestinian children often overcomes language barriers, allowing playful learning of colloquial Arabic.
Summer Volunteer Programs
Study In Palestine offers excellent volunteer opportunities for people looking for humanitarian volunteer programs or summer internships with Palestinian children in the West Bank, Palestine, or Israel from May to September. These volunteer opportunities are ideal for students, English native speakers, or anyone on a summer break.
Specifically, these summer volunteer/internship programs with Palestinian children will combine learning Arabic with a complete education and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics, and history. This includes visits to Bedouin areas (Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages such as Susya, Masafer Yatta, Masafer Bani Naim, and Palestinian community centers.
Arabic Language Courses
Study In Palestine provides free in-person Arabic courses for volunteers, lasting 3 hours weekly during their stay in Hebron. These courses enhance your mission to support the Palestinian community.
Additionally, Study In Palestine organizes trips to Hebron, allowing volunteers to explore cultural sites, local organizations, businesses, and schools, offering a comprehensive view of Palestine.
Leading Workshops
Educational classes and workshops will be held at the Excellence Center/Study In Palestine or the local Palestinian community, such as daycare centers, children’s organizations, special needs schools, or Palestinian refugee camps in Hebron.
Upon your arrival in Hebron, volunteers will have the opportunity to craft and develop workshops tailored to working with Palestinian children. These workshops and classes will constitute the primary portion of the volunteers’ workload in the West Bank.
Previous Workshops Have Included:
- Drama/theater workshops for Palestinian refugees
- Fun days in refugee camps
- Conversational English language workshops
- Art and music workshops for disabled Palestinian children
- Media training
- Environmental camps
- Mathematics lessons
- Journalism workshops for high school students
(Note: All volunteers/interns wishing to work with Palestinian children must take a safeguarding interview. This is to ensure that volunteers fully understand their responsibilities as caretakers of children, as well as the laws and protocols in place to protect children from abuse.)
Of course, Study In Palestine will assist all volunteers in acquiring the necessary resources to conduct their workshops successfully and connect them with local experts in Hebron. These resources and experts include local NGOs, community centers, Palestinian refugee organizations, schools, charities, law firms, universities, and daycare programs. The Center’s deep ties to the local community in Hebron make this possible!
Who Is This Volunteer Program For?
The Volunteer/Internship With Palestinian Children program is for anyone interested in working with children who understand the importance of connecting Palestine to the world.
Exposing young generations of Palestinians to other people and cultures will connect them to the international community and dispel any preconceptions they may have about different cultures.
This volunteer program is perfect for those interested in political science, human rights, Islamic culture, Middle Eastern politics, and Arabic culture/language. It can also help you build a career with international NGOs. Many NGOs, Palestinian governments, and global organizations consider volunteer work in the Middle East and experience with the Arabic language a significant plus.
The Volunteer/Internship With Palestinian Children program is open to people of all ages, from students to seniors, who wish to make a difference in the lives of Palestine’s youth and children.
Who Can Participate?
Those who love working with Palestinian children and wish to make a career out of doing so are encouraged to apply. The children of Palestine are eager to learn. Being a constructive force in their lives by coming to volunteer in Palestine is the best way to ensure their prosperity and empowerment.
Study In Palestine does not discriminate against individuals on any basis. This includes a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation, or any other basis. Furthermore, the Study in Palestine has a long history of welcoming people from around the globe.
Participants visited the Study in Palestine from the following countries: the UK, the US, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the 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, Ireland, China and New Zealand! All people who wish to advance the welfare of Palestinian children are encouraged to apply!
Volunteer Guidelines:
To volunteer with Palestinian Children, You Should Be:
- Willing to work with Palestinian children from diverse backgrounds
- A student or graduate who seeks teaching experience
- Someone interested in the educational system in Palestine
- An English or education major student
- Willing to make an impact on the local Palestinian community
- Someone who desires to help empower the future leaders of Palestine
Requirements:
- To be at least 18 years old
- The ability to communicate in English
- The ability to work with an international team
- Patience, enthusiasm, and empathy
- Eagerness to learn
What DON’T You Need?
- Ability to speak Arabic
- Travel or work experience
- Be a native English speaker
- Degree in English or any other specialization
- Experience in teaching English as a foreign language
Accommodation While Volunteering
Male program participants can live in a dorm or with a Palestinian host family in Hebron (depending on availability). Those living in a dorm will have extra time to become acquainted with the other volunteers at Study in Palestine. Furthermore, the dorms are located next to Hebron’s metropolitan center, providing ample opportunity to explore Hebron with others, which may lead to many exciting experiences!
The second option (available primarily to female participants) is to reside with a Palestinian host family. This benefit is that participants will receive a firsthand view of Palestinian life, customs, culture, cuisine, and family structures. Furthermore, participants residing with a Palestinian host family will likely be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience!
Participants who live in private accommodation will cover their expenses, but we will be happy to help you find suitable accommodation in Hebron.
Interacting With Palestinian Culture
Volunteers in Hebron will find that most Palestinian people are incredibly friendly and open to foreigners. Furthermore, if participants utilize their Arabic skills, no matter how well developed, they will find that most Palestinians are enthusiastic and patient communicators. They are pleased to have people interested in their language and culture.
Additionally, Palestine, situated at the heart of the Levant (the region linked with the eastern Mediterranean and considered the birthplace of three world religions), offers abundant opportunities to explore cultural sights, historical monuments, and landmarks. Despite facing challenging circumstances, participants will discover that Palestinians are open and friendly, and Hebron provides a secure environment for learning, interning, and volunteering.
A Huge Range Of Impacts
The Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program is very well-researched and targeted. It is suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into Palestinian daily life and education, gain experience teaching English, and learn about human rights.
We aim to make a long-term difference to the local Palestinian communities through the exchange of ideas and by “walking in each other’s shoes.” Volunteering and interning are unique opportunities to genuinely impact your life and the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and the broader community in the West Bank.
Benefits of Volunteering:
The Volunteer/Internship With Palestinian Children program offers many benefits, including:
- Living in Hebron and undertaking trips to the Old City, holy sites, and more
- Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and opportunity to communicate with locals
- 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week
- Exposure to daily life, culture, and society in Hebron
- Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or in our male apartment
- Opportunity to enjoy local Palestinian foods and dishes
- Palestinian cultural nights
- Opportunities to view tourist attractions from a native perspective, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- 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
- Assistance of well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, all with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you
- Certificate upon completion
As an international student studying Arabic in Palestine, you will have the opportunity to meet Palestinian university and school students, members of the Hebron community, and local organisations.
Take the opportunity to travel independently to see distinctive tourist sights from a local perspective, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea.
Moreover, weekends in Israel await you to explore famous historical cities such as Jericho, Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, and Masada! To broaden your experiences in the Middle East, travel to Jordan’s most ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid, and Aqaba!
Daily/Weekly Schedule For Volunteers:
Volunteering with Palestinian children requires commitment and flexibility. You are expected to work approximately 30 hours weekly from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Saturday through Thursday). Volunteers have two days off per week: Friday and another day of their choice.
Breakfast will be provided every workday at the Center, with ingredients sourced from a diverse range of local Palestinian agriculture. It is intended to prepare volunteers for the workday ahead. In addition, breakfast will be shared among the Center’s staff, volunteers, and interns. This is designed to strengthen communal bonds throughout the Center and chat with all participants about their experiences and ambitions for the coming day(s).
Study In Palestine will also lead regular excursion trips into Hebron and neighboring cities, connecting volunteers with local activists and organizations. Evenings are usually free, allowing volunteers to explore the city’s many restaurants, shops, and historical sights. Volunteers can also travel independently to Israeli cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Akko, and Tiberias, as well as the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.
The First Week
The first week at Study In Palestine will focus on helping volunteers adapt to life in Hebron and Palestinian culture. To achieve this, volunteers will enroll in Arabic language courses at the Center and courses centered around Palestinian culture and customs. These courses will help them assist the Palestinian people around them early on. The efforts made by volunteers to learn about Palestinian culture and customs will undoubtedly be reciprocated by the Palestinians they help.
If you are only planning a short-term volunteer service (1 to 2 weeks), we recommend that you contact us at least one week beforehand to organize your schedule. We would happily arrange a WhatsApp call to give you all the necessary information.
Weeks 2-13
Every week thereafter, the volunteers will focus on learning about their chosen workshops, activities, and educational programs in Palestine. They will then create these programs in cooperation with local Palestinian organizations, helping them improve their understanding of these subjects. These workshops can include educational seminars on conversational English, how to safely navigate the internet, leadership/life skills, specific sports, or anything that will enrich the lives of Palestinian children here. There is no limit to the workshops volunteers can create, and the Study in Palestine will be happy to help put these ideas into practice!
Our staff will introduce you to our teaching manual and the activity booklets that give examples and provide you with information. Volunteers with limited experience in such workshops can also apply to enhance their skills.
Program Costs and Information:
Studying in Palestine costs 750€ a month or 250€ a week.
The prices listed on this webpage are the complete and final cost students will pay.
Program Fees Cover:
- Housing in Hebron
- Arabic Language courses
- Center’s operating costs
- Breakfast (Mon – Fri)
- Group excursions
What Language is the Program Run In?
All our volunteer programs and colloquial Arabic lessons cater to English speakers. However, to ensure complete immersion, English will be used less in the classroom as the course level increases.
Do You Need University Credits?
The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program offers students university and internship credits if needed for your university. If you are applying for funding to volunteer in Palestine, the Center would be happy to help by providing any requested documents.
Traveling to Hebron, Palestine
Study In Palestine has information on all the resources you need to travel efficiently, safely, and practically to Hebron. Please read our articles below on flying to Palestine, getting to Hebron, planning your trip, and Israeli/Palestinian taxi services.
- How to fly to Palestine
- How to get to Hebron, Palestine
- Planning your trip to Palestine
- How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron
Tel Aviv Airport Pickups
Study In Palestine staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you to Hebron and the Center. This is the easiest and fastest way to get to the Study in Palestine (about an hour, distance of 60 km/37 miles).
Additional fees apply as this trip costs about 160 Euros. Please contact our staff if you are interested in this option.
Reviews And Ratings
We continue to strive towards excellence. In 2022, we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center/Study in Palestine was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support.”
In 2021, we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards from Go Overseas in the categories “Best Language School” and voted best in“fun” and “instruction.”
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Study in Palestine’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Study in Palestine continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs.
Check out our many great reviews here:
- 730+ reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
- 160+ reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Video testimonials
Summary
The Volunteer/Internship With Palestinian Children Program presents an ideal opportunity for university students, gap year participants, and individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Palestinian children in the West Bank. The scope for applying your skills as a volunteer is limitless.
Engaging with Children in the West Bank, Palestine is an unparalleled experience, one that will profoundly influence participants’ perspectives for years to come. Furthermore, volunteering/interning in the West Bank is the perfect stepping stone for those passionate about working with Palestinian children and refugees or pursuing a career in early childhood education and children’s welfare. Take action today and embark on your volunteering journey in Palestine.
How To Apply
If you’re excited about volunteering/interning with Palestinian children, don’t hesitate to email us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We’re here to help, and you can expect to hear back from us within 1-2 business days.
In the subject line of your email, please write “Volunteer/Internship With Children In The West Bank.” We will then attach an application form to your reply. Please fill it out and return it to us to begin the process. We hope to hear from you soon!
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