Description of Healthcare and Environment in Palestine Program
Healthcare and Environment Internship in Palestine (1-12 weeks) target those working in the medical sector such as doctors, surgeons, specialists, nurses, physiotherapists, therapists, students of various medical colleges, and all those wishing to learn about the nature of the work of the medical sector in Palestine, including hospitals, clinics, primary care centers, clinics, pharmaceutical factories and other places that provide health care.
It also highlights the obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation on farmers, such as the confiscation of land, the closure of parts of the land in order to transform it into military zones, the establishment of settlements, and the construction of bypass roads, in addition to the looting of waters.
Healthcare and Environment in Palestine Program is designed to give you the opportunity to learn about the most important challenges facing the medical and environmental sector in Palestine under the occupation, including the inability to meet medical needs, medical devices, medical treatment supplies, medicines, and medical beds, and ambulances as well as the waste of natural resources, environmental pollution in all its forms, and low water quality.
The Aim of the Healthcare and Environment Program
- Shedding light on the reality of health care and the environment in Palestine.
- Introducing those coming to Palestine to the obstacles and challenges faced by the medical and environmental sectors due to the occupation and the political reality.
- Opening the door for medical/environmental assistance to those who wish to provide any assistance or participate in the development of the Palestinian medical and environmental sectors in any way, whether through actual assistance or the organization of workshops or training for doctors and workers in the Palestinian medical/ environmental sector.
Where does the Healthcare and Environment program take Place?
- It takes place in the heart of Palestine, which is located in the center of the Middle East, in the city of Hebron. Hebron, Al-Khalil in Arabic, is located in the southern part of the West Bank. It is 30 km (19 miles) south of Jerusalem.
- The population of Hebron is about 300,000 persons who reside in the city, and about another 500,000 who live in the surrounding villages.
How long can I participate in the program?
Interns can choose to participate in the program for a period of one week up to one month. Whatever length of time you choose, we will support you so that you have a great and unique experience at our center and in this wonderful city of Hebron.
IMPORTANT Links/Files
| Our Video Gallery | Get to Know us! (Pdf file) |
| Our Photo Gallery | Our Volunteer Programs |
| Reviews on Go Abroad | Our Internship Programs |
| Reviews on Go Overseas | Study Shami Arabic |
The Healthcare and Environment Program Aspects
This program focuses on two main aspects: Theoretical-Practical & Linguistic-Social :
Theoretical & Practical
- This Healthcare and Environment program includes field trips through a guide to meet with workers in the medical sector, including doctors, medical specialists, paramedics, and surgeons in hospitals and medical care centers in the city of Hebron. In addition, you will be meeting activists who work in medical organizations that support the Palestinian medical sector.
- It also includes meeting with farmers and specialists in the agricultural and environment sector, in addition to meeting with owners of farms and nurseries.
- These field trips will address topics such as the Palestinian medical system, its challenges, and the shortage of medical supplies and equipment due to the occupation and political conditions in Palestine.
Linguistic & Social
- Participants study Arabic as a part of immersion. The center will provide you with weekly Arabic language classes and the opportunity to practice the language with native speakers.
- In addition, the program will provide you with the opportunity to participate in the social, educational, and cultural activities organized by the center that is aimed at targeting the Palestinian community in Hebron including teaching individual or group English classes. These activities especially target children & youth with an aim to develop their skills in various educational and social fields.
The Benefits of the Healthcare and Environment Program
- You will meet with workers in the medical sector, including doctors, medical specialists, paramedics, and surgeons in hospitals and medical care centers in the city of Hebron. In addition, you will be meeting activists who work in medical organizations that support the Palestinian medical sector.
- You will meet farmers, and specialists in the agricultural sector and will have the opportunity to discuss and ask questions of them.
- A participant will have the opportunity to organize workshops on a topic related to the program (optional); or present workshops that teach a variety of skills, such as academic writing, writing biography, drawing, first aid, theater, music, and other skills.
- The participant will engage in the Palestinian community, culture, and daily life.
- Participants will be visiting city historical sites.
- All participants will receive 3 hours of Arabic language lessons per week.
- Accommodation is provided for the length of the program, either residing with a Palestinian host family or at our 8th-floor apartment. Private accommodation is also available with extra fees.
- A Palestinian breakfast is provided every day and enjoyed with other international volunteers/interns and staff.
The Healthcare and Environment Program Fees
325$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
690$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
965$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1750$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1950$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 21 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2270$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 27 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2750$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 30 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2950$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 33 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
3150$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
| Accommodation | Host family or at our 8th-floor apartment Private accommodation is available with extra fees |
| Feild Visits/Meetings | To visit local hospeitals and healthcare centers in Hebron as well as meeting with doctors and paramedics. |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Three Classes/ 1,5 hours each. |
| Meals | Daily Palestinian breakfast at the center |
| Day Trips | To Refugees camps in Hebron & Bethlehem & some areas of political importance |
| Sightseeings in Hebron | Historical & politically important sites in Hebron and Hebron factories. |
| Certificate of Participation | Certificate of participation & recommendation letter at the end of the program |
How to pay the fees? (Payment Options)
- You may pay your participation fees either by Bank Transfer or by Western Union or MoneyGram. Payment via Western Union and MoneyGram, you can do the transfer online using your credit card.
- Payment of fees and signing of the participation contract must be made to reserve your place in the program.
- In participation fees that exceed $800, the applicant can pay 40% in advance and the rest of the 60% must be paid 45 days before the date of participation.
- Unfortunately, the participation fees can’t be paid in cash, as we arrange your participation ahead of time.
How Do I Get A Visa To Enter Palestine?
Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country, or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossing; Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.
If your home country does not have an exemption agreement with Israel, you will have to procure a visa from the Israeli embassy/consulate at home before you visit. Because many Arab countries do not accept Israeli stamps upon passports, Israel now issues their visa on a separate small card with a bar code indicating the visa time validity. Please keep this visa card WITH your passport at all times. You may check to see whether your native country participates in a visa exemption agreement.
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 may include field visits, meetings with doctors, medical consultants and paramedics, in addition to visiting various hospitals and health centers in Hebron. In addition, the program includes teaching conversational English to a number of Palestinian students.
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 instructions. 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.
| Information Regarding the Healthcare and Environment in Palestine Program |
| Place of Program | Hebron, Palestine |
| Program Fees | Starting From 325$ – American Dollar |
| Age | 18-70 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration | One Week |
| Maximum Duration | 12 Weeks – Three Months |
| 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 |
Who can apply?
- The Palestinian Center has hosted people who have come from a myriad of countries, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany and many more.
- The center welcomes all people who are 18 to 70 years old to apply to the Human Rights in Palestine Program. Academic or professional degrees are not required to join the program.
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.
Can I add more Arabic hours to my hours in the program?
Yes, interns can add additional Arabic language instruction hours. Each extra hour costs $20.00. Please mention this in your application.
Combine this PROGRAM with another one!
Yes, this program can be combined with one or more of the other internship/volunteer programs the center offers. Don’t worry, you only fill out one application.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ 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 |
Can I extend my program duration while I am there?
Yes, interns are allowed to extend their participation period. In this case, interns must inform the center coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.
When can I apply to the Healthcare and Environment Program?
- Applicants have the flexibility to decide when to join a program as an intern. 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 one month.
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.
Do I need to know how to speak Arabic?
- Interns 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.
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.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
Important Articles to READ – Please Click to Read
How to apply or ask for additional information?
Please send an email to Mr. Tamimi at info@gopalestine.org. Please type Healthcare and Environment in Palestine Program” in the subject line. We will then contact you back!