Volunteer and Internship Organisations in Palestine: Volunteering or interning in Palestine (Gaza Strip and the West Bank) offers an unforgettable and transformative experience that will enrich your personal and professional journey in countless ways. Palestine is a remarkable destination with a rich historical backdrop unlike any other in the Middle East. The region’s diverse cultural influences, intertwined with its breathtaking landscapes, create a magical and unique environment for exploration and connection.
Palestine boasts a deep history that spans many religions and civilizations, offering a diverse and multi-faceted cultural experience. Each city in the region has its own distinct charm and story to tell, providing a unique environment that fosters learning, understanding, and connection. Whether you are exploring the ancient streets of Hebron, the vibrant markets of Ramallah, or the serene coastal beauty of Gaza, Palestine offers an array of enriching opportunities and unforgettable experiences.
However, there still is so much more opportunity to develop the Palestinian environment and the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, women and community members as they are still living under occupation. Even though, the Palestinian community is incredibly open and welcoming, many citizens still undergo immense hardships due to the occupation.
Volunteering/interning gives you the opportunity to develop your skillset, which can even be more developed by learning a new language ‘Arabic’. While you are volunteering, you become super engaged with the Palestinian community and therefore, are able to pick up common words and sentences, this is something you can always further develop if you want by taking classes. Volunteers/interns love the experience of being engaged with the Palestinian community as they learn so much from the Palestinian people, and Palestinian culture, while also learning about themselves.
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International NGO Volunteer Organisations
International NGO opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine are generally considered safe, primarily because they are often affiliated with well-established organizations known for their reputable work. However, it’s essential to approach your volunteer/intern experience with careful planning and ensure that the organization you choose provides you with the necessary support.
It’s worth noting that there is ample feedback available regarding these internship and volunteer programs, which can help you determine if they align with your goals and expectations. This wealth of information makes it an ideal starting point if you are seeking a program in Palestine for the first time.
Notable organizations and Community Centers such as the United Nations, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Oxfam International, Norwegian Refugee Council, Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Norwegian People’s Aid, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Human Rights Defenders, and NGOs dedicated to Palestinian refugee and human rights issues are excellent places to explore for meaningful opportunities.
Human Rights Volunteer and Internship Organisations in Palestine
The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC), compromising of:
- Al-Haq Organization – Law in the Service of Mankind
- Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
- Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
- Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association
- DCI – Defense for Children International – Palestine
- Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center
- Aldameer Association for Human Rights
- Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
- Hurryyat – Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights
- The Independent Commission for Human Rights (Ombudsman Office) – Observer Member
- Muwatin Institute for Democracy and Human Rights – Observer Member
- The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO)
- Community Action Center (Al Quds University)
- Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem
Palestinian Volunteer Organisations
An alternative to this option is finding a local Palestinian community organisation which is primarily based in the West Bank, Palestine. Working with such an organisation can help bring you closer to the Palestinian people you are helping and can also have the effect of providing a better immersive environment in which to develop your Palestinian Arabic skills.
The Excellence Center and Engage In Palestine are excellent starting points if you are seeking volunteer or internship opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine in various fields, including English instruction, human rights, women’s rights, media and journalism, medicine and healthcare, Palestinian refugees, music and arts, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal systems, as well as programs focusing on Palestinian children and youth.
Contribute To The Palestinian Local Community
Volunteers and interns in Palestine can also play an important role in contributing to the Palestinian local community’s well-being as well as in building pathways to understanding. As we encourage volunteers to interact with locals and with Palestinian members of the refugee camps, many opportunities are offered on volunteer projects to support education and community development.
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank are well researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian legal affairs and human rights. We aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, women, refugees, youth and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.
Safety In Palestine
The West Bank, Palestine overall tends to be a safe place, however, at times there might be some minor clashes due to the current and ongoing Israeli occupation. However, these situations can always be detected and predicted prior to a clash happening.
Therefore, while in Palestine it is always smart to stay updated with what is happening in the West Bato see in which areas trouble might occur. So that during your weekends here you can try to avoid traveling to these places. However, it should also be noted that as a foreigner you will never truly experience the same hardships as the locals here, which for you can somewhat be an advantage.
Your Expectations And The Type of Program
When you decide to look for Volunteer/Internship organisations in the West Bank, you tend to have a certain mindset of what you would want to achieve, what skills you would like to develop, and somewhat have an idea how you would like to spend your days. If you don’t have that just yet, maybe start thinking about it because you don’t want to sign up for a program that does not offer the aspects you are looking for regarding your personal growth.
At the end of the day, it does not matter how long you will volunteer/intern or how long your internship might be, you are still investing your time in a program. As we know ‘time is valuable’, therefore you might not want to waste your time at a program that doesn’t offer something valuable to you.
Volunteer in Palestine
Being a volunteer or intern in the West Bank, Palestine is a good combination of both the international and domestic feeling. Because the Center is recognised internationally as it also has a department in Germany, however, through the Center you are still able to feel close to the locals and the Palestinian community. The Center works with many local Palestinian citizens who are able to share their stories about the occupation, but they will also explain the Palestinian culture and through that you can really feel Palestinian hospitality.
Furthermore, Study Palestinian Arabic School itself is very diverse in what it can offer you; you can volunteer or do an internship. But you can also learn Arabic and teach English, or you can combine certain elements together. However, either way, you will influence Palestinian lives and they for sure will have a positive influence on your life.
Long-Term vs Short-Term
Study Palestinian Arabic School offers different short-term volunteer/internship programs on the site you can find; ‘Arabic immersion courses’, ‘Volunteer programs’, and ‘internships’. You can do any of those three programs from a minimum of a week to a maximum of 3 months and each program has so many different things to offer, as can be seen in the table below.
The programs in the West Bank are open to everyone, from students to retired people, the Center is ageless and thus an amazing experience for everyone. The time you spend in Palestine is up to you and based on the time you have of course, but together with the Center you can find the perfect program and schedule for you that will help fulfill your achievements.
Our Short-Term Volunteer and Internship Programs in the West Bank:
1. Volunteer in a Sports Project in Palestine
While we operate our Volunteer In A Sports Project In Palestine Program in Hebron year-round, we also have a dedicated summer program specifically designed for students seeking volunteer and internship opportunities during their summer break. Study Palestinian Arabic School can also grant academic credit to currently enrolled university and college students thanks to our collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.
2. Volunteer in the Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine
Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine: Join us and volunteer in our environmental program, aimed at teaching Palestinian youth, refugees, and children about the importance of preserving the environment. In the West Bank, there is a pressing need for such programs, as many Hebron residents are unaware of the harmful effects of environmental neglect on their own lands.
3. Volunteer in Palestinian Communities
Volunteer in Palestinian Communities: This program invites individuals of all ages to engage with Palestinian communities in the West Bank, including Dura, Masafer Yatta, Susya, and Al-Fawwar refugee camps. Volunteers will work with children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance skills through educational and recreational activities.
4. Volunteer With Palestinian Orphanages
Volunteer With Palestinian Orphanages: Hebron City, in the Occupied West Bank, is home to several orphanages that provide essential care and support to thousands of Palestinian children who have lost one or both of their parents. The high number of orphans in the region is largely due to ongoing conflict, military occupation, economic hardship, and limited access to healthcare.
5. Community Development Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Community Development Program through Study Palestinian Arabic School offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Palestinian community by working with local organizations. This program is ideal for those who wish to support Palestinian children, women, youth, and refugees in camps, as well as other community members in and around Hebron, West Bank.
6. Media & Journalism Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Media and Journalism Volunteer Program in Palestine offers an ideal opportunity for those interested in amplifying the voices of Palestinians on the global stage. Volunteers will play a key role in raising awareness of human rights and political issues within the West Bank while gaining valuable experience in ethical journalism practices.
7. Medicine & Healthcare Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Medicine & Healthcare Program in Palestine is ideal for many volunteers, including medical professionals, pre-med students, medical school students, or individuals considering a healthcare career. Under the guidance of local professionals, volunteers will gain valuable experience with the Palestinian healthcare system, work in local hospitals, and learn about the medical and healthcare specializations offered by local universities.
8. Volunteer In A Technology Program In Palestine
Volunteer In A Technology Program In Palestine: The Volunteer in a Technology Program in Palestine provides a unique opportunity to share your computer and technical knowledge with Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine, while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and life.
9. Volunteer In Local Schools In Palestine
Volunteer in Local Schools in Palestine: This program is a fantastic opportunity to positively impact the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth. Our Volunteer in Local Palestinian Schools program in Hebron, West Bank, is a unique scheme that welcomes both native and non-native English speakers and students, graduates, professionals, and retirees interested in enhancing the English and life skills of local students.
10. Music and Art Volunteer Program
Our new Music and Art Volunteer Program in Hebron, West Bank, is an excellent opportunity for artists and individuals in the art and music fields. By engaging with the local Palestinian community, particularly students and youth, you will have the chance to develop projects and courses in these fields while contributing and making a difference in the local community. This program offers real-world experience that can help you grow personally and professionally.
Summer Volunteer Programs
Study Palestinian Arabic School provides excellent volunteer/internship opportunities from June through September for those searching for summer internships or volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon or Israel. For students, native English speakers, those with summer breaks, and anyone wishing to serve abroad for an extended period of time, these volunteer programs and internships are perfect.
These volunteer/internship summer programs in West Bank, Palestine combine a focus on the Arabic language with thorough education, immersion, and participation in Palestinian culture, politics and history. Visits are made to Palestinian refugee camps, local towns, and community centers in addition to Bedouin regions (Susiya).
Great Impact
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank are well researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian legal affairs and human rights. We aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”.
Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, refugees, youth and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.
Awards And Recognitions
Who Can Participate?
Our Volunteer/Internship Programs in Palestine program is open to all English speakers, whether they are undergraduates, graduates, professionals, or retired individuals. These volunteer and internship projects are great opportunity for anyone looking to volunteer in Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, the Middle East, or the wider Arabic world.
Volunteer/Intern in Hebron, West Bank
Our diverse range of volunteer/internship projects in Hebron, West Bank are available year-round to our international volunteers on a flexible basis, offering brilliant, informative opportunities for people who are:
- Looking to travel in the Israel/ Palestine area.
- Interested in summer volunteering programs, particularly in the Middle East.
- College, university or gap year students looking for volunteering opportunities in Israel and Palestine.
- Interest in helping Palestinian refugees and children
- Concerned about the political and humanitarian situation in the local region and the people and communities affected.
- Interested in Palestinian and Arabic culture, particularly those who want to learn and improve their Arabic.
Take the chance to travel on your own and see distinctive tourist sights from a local’s point of view, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
Benefits of Volunteering or Doing an Internship
Volunteers and interns in Palestine receive many benefits during their time in the city of Hebron, West Bank. By being totally immersed in the Palestinian culture, you will be able to participate in many educational, cultural, social and community development activities.
Benefits of volunteering in the West Bank:
- Living in Hebron and visiting sites in the local and wider area
- Better Understand Palestinian politics and experience the occupation in the West Bank.
- Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals
- Get to know the human rights situation and supporting Palestinian refugees.
- Travelling to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem in your free time
- Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Spending time and living with a Palestinian host family, if desired
- Visiting Palestinian universities, local institutions and organizations specializing in culture and education
- Eating local Palestinian foods and delicacies
- Attending cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities in Hebron’s social hubs
Summary
Volunteering or interning in Palestine, is a transformative experience that offers profound personal growth while contributing meaningfully to the Palestinian community. During your time in Palestine, you’ll gain invaluable insights into Palestinian culture, history, and the complexities of the occupation while actively supporting local community development initiatives. Additionally, this experience provides the opportunity to enhance your skillset, broaden your perspectives, and even learn a new language.
Study Palestinian Arabic School offers a diverse range of volunteer and internship programs tailored to meet the goals and aspirations of its participants. With these programs, you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and make impactful contributions. Many volunteers and interns find that their achievements in these programs lead to personal fulfillment and professional growth.
Recognized internationally, Study Palestinian Arabic School also maintains a sister community center in Germany. Despite this international connection, the organization retains its close ties to local communities, particularly in Hebron and surrounding areas. This unique balance offers participants the chance to connect with local Palestinians, form meaningful relationships, and immerse themselves in the culture. Additionally, weekends provide the perfect opportunity to explore nearby areas, making this experience even more enriching and memorable.
Contact Us
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Nonprofit organizations in Palestine, Palestinian refugee support programs, Summer volunteer Projects in Palestine, Volunteer Programs in Palestine,
