Although some travelers are restless and constantly eager for solo adventures, others are wary of heading out alone, especially to a place like Palestine, which isn't promoted well in Media except as a place for riots, clashes and violence. Volunteering in Palestine, whether with someone or alone, is an interesting and once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Safety is always a concern, but with common sense and planning, your travel can be enjoyable, fun, and worry-free.
Palestinians are Very Friendly
People in Palestine are very friendly, and enthusiastic and eager in helping and talking to people from different cultures and countries. The opportunities to interact with internationals will make a Palestinian’s day, and, in turn, this will make your trip more enjoyable and interesting. If you are traveling alone, your solitariness will make you more approachable than if you are traveling as a group member.
Your traveling alone will allow you to be immersed easily into the culture and its customs. Culturally, Palestinians are very sensitive to someone who is by him/herself; the culture abhors someone being left alone. This, coupled with the Palestinian culture’s tradition of hospitality, will make immersion into Palestinian culture all the more easy, interesting, and enjoyable for you.
90% of our previous volunteers were solo!
Volunteers have joined the Palestinian Center “Go Palestine” from over 40 countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Canada, Germany, and many others.
All people between the ages of 18 and 75 are welcome to apply to any of our volunteer programs at Go Palestine. No academic or professional degrees are required to participate in any of our programs.
Traveling around Palestine
Traveling around Palestine is very affordable and easy to implement. There is a wealth of taxis, buses, and services (shared taxis with low fares due to the sharing) to use in order to travel about. All of these modes of transportation, besides allowing you easy travel means, will immerse you into the general population. Palestinians will eagerly help you, direct you, offer assistance, and even offer cell phones for your use (or even make your call for you!). They will relish their new friendship with you, no matter how brief!
Why choose GO Palestine to do an Inetrnship or Volunteer Program ?
- We do not have any hidden or additional fees.
- We organize trips every week to areas in Hebron & Bethlehem.
- We offer 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week – two classes with our best Arabic teachers.
- Our center is located in the heart of the city of Hebron, which makes it easy to reach, whether for our Palestinian students or for our international participants.
- We are very flexible about changing the start and end times of your program.
- We meticulously search for families that our female participants feel comfortable with during their stay in Hebron.
- We organize local visits to get acquainted with the most famous landmarks of the city of Hebron.
- We provide all kinds of assistance to our participants and guide them to make their experience more enjoyable.
- We also have an 8th-floor apartment for our male participants with a great view. It has everything they need in addition to being very close to the center (three minutes’ walking to the center).
Our Achievements
- Experience in organizing international volunteer & internship programs for more than 12 years.
- Hosting international participants from more than 42 countries around the world.
- Cooperation & partnerships with more than 30 local community organizations in Hebron and Bethlehem.
- Our teachers & staff participated in various of international trainings and workshops in Europe and Middle East, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Cyprus, Jordan, Turkey and India.
- GO Palestine is the representative of the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition in Hebron.
- Partnerships with international organizations, including Go Abroad, Go Overseas, Idealist, Hey Success, Volunteer Match, and others.
Get to know our volunteer programs
The Palestinian Center (Go Palestine) offers the following volunteer programs. These volunteer programs address topics such as children, children with special needs, education, entertainment activities, social events, music, community activities, workshops, and much more. Here you can do voluntary work from one week up to three months.
Volunteer in the West Bank Program
It’s is one of our volunteer programs that will give you the chance to volunteer with school students, university students, and community members and, at the same time, study and practice Arabic.
In addition, you will be teach conversational English (one to one) to Palestinians and get to know the culture of Palestine through that.
Volunteer with Palestinian Children
In this program, you will be engaging in educational and entertainment activities structured for children aged 6 to 12 years old. These activities aim to educate children with English activities.
This program has been designed to engage Palestinian children with internationals where children get to know other cultures and take part in activities that help them learn from older people in many different fields.
Volunteer with Refugees in Palestine
You will be volunteering in one of the refugee camps in the city of Hebron. The program includes organising activities for the Palestinian refugees, mainly teaching conversational English or any kind of activities that volunteer might willing to organise.
It’s aimed at informing you about the refugees situation in Palestine. Volunteers will become more knowledgeable about how the occupation has affected and still affects, their daily life.
Volunteer at Local Schools in Palestine
This program provides a great opportunity to those who want to visit Palestine while meeting Palestinian students at the local schools in Hebron. Very importantly, this program offers the opportunity for a volunteer to leave a positive impact on Palestinian society. This program includes your participation in English conversational sessions in the classroom, along with the organization of educational and entertainment activities.
Volunteer as Articles Writer for Palestine
This program is designed for those who wish to travel to Palestine and write about it as a means of presenting the rich culture and history of Palestine.
This program presents the writer with a variety of topics to choose from that tackle the life in Palestine and the other side that media doesn’t usually highlight.
Who are our volunteer & internship programs suitable for?
We at Go Palestine seek to provide internship and volunteer programs in Palestine, West Bank that suit everyone & achieve their expectations/goals of visiting and staying in Palestine. Our volunteer and internship programs in Palestine are suitable for everyone between the ages of 18- 75-year-old, which makes it available to:
- Students of universities, colleges and institutions of higher education.
- Graduates and postgraduates students.
- Academic researchers & field Researchers.
- Students who are working on writing their Master’s or PhD dissertations on topics related to Palestine or Middle East.
- Students are searching for internship or volunteer places in Palestine required by their university or college. University Credit is available.
- Gap year students who are looking to do a volunteer or an internship in Palestine.
- Students of Arabic literature, Arab studies, and cultural studies related to Arab and Middle Eastern culture.
- Students of Middle Eastern studies, Islamic studies, or studies related to the Middle East region or relevant studies.
- Anyone who is an eager to learn about different aspects of life in Palestine.
Our Volunteer Programs Fees
250$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
480$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
595$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
690$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
845$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1070$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1215$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 21 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1450$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1630$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 27 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1810$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 30 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1990$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 33 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2250$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
What does the Participation Fee include?
| Accommodation | Host family or at our 8th-floor apartment Private accommodation is available with extra fees |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Two Classes/ 1,5 hours of Arabic lessons each |
| Meals | Daily Palestinian breakfast |
| Day Trips | To Refugees camps in Hebron & Bethlehem & some areas of political importance |
| Sightseeings | Historical & politically important places in the city of Hebron |
| Certificate | Certificate of participation & recommendation letter at the end of the program |
When can I apply ?
- Applicants have the flexibility to decide when to join a program.
- We are very flexible when it comes to starting and ending dates.
- Applicants also choose their length of participation, which is a minimum of one week up to three months/12 weeks.
Do I need to know how to speak Arabic?
- Volunteers are not obligated to know Arabic.
- The center will provide you with 3 hours of Arabic lessons each week with one of our teachers.
- The participant can choose either to study Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) or Spoken Arabic Language (known as Ammyia) once they start their program.
| Place of Volunteer Program | Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine |
| Volunteer Program Fees | Starting From 230$ – American Dollar |
| Age | 18-75 Years Old |
| Minimum Period of Volunteering in Palestine | One Week |
| Maximum Period of Volunteering in Palestine | Three Months – 12 Weeks |
| Volunteering Hours | 4-5 hours a day – 5 days a week |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | Two days including Fridays & Thursdays or Saturdays |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Standard Arabic Or Ammiya |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Do I need a visa to enter Palestine?
- The Israeli government requires a visa for you to enter Israel. Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country.
- They are available also at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge Israel-Jordan border crossing. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days. Most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ a Week |
| Weekend in Palestine | On Friday |
| Food in Palestine | The West Bank engages primarily in heavier meals involving the use of bread, rice, and meat, and coastal plain inhabitants frequent fish, other seafood, and lentils. |
| Wifi Access in Palestine | At houses, cafes, restaurants – Almost everywhere |
| 3G Service in Palestine | Available since Jan 2018 |
| The official language in Palestine | Arabic – Palestinian Dialect (One of the Levantine dialects) |
| Currency in Palestine | Mainly Israeli Shekel (NIS). Jordanian Dinar & American Dollars are also used in buying Real estate and land. |
| Transportations in Palestine | Yellow Taxies & Orange Mini-Vans |
| Weather in Palestine | Summer (25-30°C), Winter (0-9°C) |
| Nearest Major Airports to Palestine | Ben Gurion Airport in Israel if you travel via Israel Alia International Airport if you travel via Jordan |
What can be added to your volunteer program? “EXTRAS“
- Additional hours of Arabic language over the specified hours per week for $20 per additional hour.
- Private tours to other cities in Palestine including Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin and Jericho. Click HERE to learn more about the tours organised by Go Palestine.
- Pick-up and drop-off service from Ben Gurion Airport directly to Hebron within an hour and a half. The cost of the service is 130 USD (one way).
- A place for your friend or partner to live in Hebron, in our apartment in Hebron, or with a Palestinian family. Click HERE to check our hostel & private apartment in Hebron.
What does your weekly schedule look like?
We at GO Palestine are keen to make your weekly schedule diversified, rich, and organized. Thus, it will contain a number of educational, social, and fun activities that will make your experience in Palestine special and unique.
Breakfast starts at 9:30 am
The day at our center starts with a special Palestinian breakfast at 9:30 in the morning and ends at approximately 10:15. Our breakfast contains a number of ingredients, including Palestinian thyme (Zaatar), labneh, tomato and cucumber slices, falafel, hummus, mortadella, olives, yellow cheese, jam, pita bread, boiled or fried eggs, and French fries. The ingredients are changed (among the mentioned ingredients) from time to time to diversify the breakfast.
The Content of the program starts at 10:30
The content of your program begins at 10:30 in the morning and continues until 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon. This includes teaching conversational English to Palestinians (school students, university students, and community members). This differs depending on the program you are joining, please read the program’s description.
Lunch Break starts at 2:00 pm
At two o’clock in the afternoon begins the lunch break, which lasts for an entire hour. You can buy lunch from a restaurant next to the center. There are a number of restaurants nearby, which provide meals such as shawarma, falafel, and fried chicken as well as traditional Palestinian meals such as Maqluba, Hebron’s Qidreh, Chicken Mansaf or Lamp Mansaf, and other meals. There are also a number of supermarkets/malls nearby where you can buy what you need and cook yourself in the center.
Arabic Language Classes (MSA and Levantine/Colloquial)
Weekly, you will get two Arabic language classes for an hour and a half each. These classes are taught by one of our skilled/qualified teachers. Arabic language classes are held at different times, either in the morning or, in most cases, in the afternoon. The student can choose whether to study Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Arabic (Ammiya), or both.
Day Trips to Refugee Camps in Bethlehem & Hebron
Once every week, a day trip is organized to the refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as to areas of political importance whenever the opportunity arises. These trips will give you the opportunity to learn about the conditions of the Palestinian refugees, talk to them and learn their stories. These trips depart at 10:45 am from the center and end approx. at 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon.
Local Visits to Learn about the Landmarks of the city of Hebron
Once every two weeks, local visits are organized to the historical and economic landmarks of the city of Hebron. This includes a visit to the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Old City, and Al-Shuhada Street as well as visiting a number of factories in the city, such as keffiyeh, glass, and ceramic factories.
Prepare & Cook a Traditional Palestinian Dish
Once every two or three weeks, all our volunteers, interns, and Arabic language’ students join together to prepare and cook a traditional Palestinian dish. This includes preparing appetizers, frying vegetables, cooking rice, chopping chicken or meat, and stuffing some vegetables depending on the dish to be cooked that day.
Free Time starts at 16:00 or at 16:30
After your time in the center is over, you have free time where you can hang out with other international participants and/or locals you met during your stay in Hebron by going to a café or coffee shop or going to a park and enjoying your time in the evening. There are many cafes and parks not far from the center, as the center is located on one of the most lively streets in the city.
What is the application process?
- First, send us an email asking for the application form.
- We send you the application, and you fill out the application and send it back to us.
- Our team reviews your application. We may invite you for an interview by means of a Skype/WhatsApp call.
- If you are selected after the interview, we will send you a confirmation form which you fill out and return to us.
- We prepare and send you the Invitation Letter and the contract. We will also send you the invoice for payment, which will include all the information regarding payment options.
- You will sign the contract and make payment in order to reserve your place in the program.
- We will send you an orientation booklet and travel guide to Palestine. These two items will provide you with all the information on how to get to Hebron and contact the center. One of our coordinators will provide his/her contact number within an email sent to you.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
