The Palestinian Community Development Program in the West Bank is a unique opportunity for students, undergraduates, and teachers. This program is for you if you wish to help Palestinian children and youth, those in refugee camps, and other community members in and around Hebron. Anyone is welcome who seeks to participate in Palestinian community development organizations in the areas of Palestine and Israel. As an intern, you will be immersed in Palestinian culture whilst meeting new people, studying Arabic, and making a difference in the lives of the people here.
The Palestinian Community Development Internship Program has an important impact on the Palestinian community. Through this program, you can assist in empowering community members to develop themselves personally, professionally, and economically. At the same time, interns will gain additional valuable experience in their personal development. This can be done by running seminars, giving lectures, offering employment advice, and building interpersonal relationships within the local Palestinian community.
Unique Cultural Exchange Opportunity
As part of this unique cultural exchange opportunity, you will also have the opportunity to learn or improve your Arabic. During the program, each participant receives 3 hours of Arabic classes per week from our educational hub in Hebron. There will also be ample opportunities to learn and practice Arabic with locals in the wider community. This can be both in your projects and in your free time. Additionally, you will have plenty of free time to travel to different cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Jericho.
We welcome anyone to our Palestinian Community Development Program who has a strong interest in economic development, self-development, leadership, communications, or similar areas. This internship program is open to current college or university students. It is also targeted at postgraduates with degrees in economics, international relations, or political science. We also welcome anyone with relevant work experience who would like to share their knowledge in the field by carrying out their customized activities.
The Community Development in Summer Program
Our Palestinian Community Development in Summer Program is especially suitable for university students who are looking for volunteer opportunities or internships abroad. They can gain practical hands-on experiences in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East more broadly.
We operate our Community Development Program in Hebron year-round. However, we also have a dedicated summer program, specifically designed for students seeking internship opportunities during their summer break. Additionally, Intern in Palestine can grant academic credit to currently enrolled university and college students. This is in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. However, if you are not a current university or college student, you are still very welcome to join us for this program in the summer.
A Flexible Internship Program
When you join the Palestinian Community Development Program in Hebron, you are welcome to choose the kind of activities you would like to organize during your program. You can also choose to work with certain target groups. For example, children or students of a certain age or a certain section of the community.
We understand that our international participants have different skills, expertise, and interests. Therefore, we are very flexible with the kinds of activities and projects that you wish to carry out and there are almost no limits on what you can do. Additionally, all our programs are flexible, so you can participate anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks. This enables you to choose the option that best suits you.
Your Impact
Our Palestinian Community Development Program is well-researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian life, education, human rights, and community development.
With all our programs, 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”. Our volunteer and internship programs foster shared and mutual learning, for both our community and our volunteers/interns. Even when you are teaching or facilitating an activity such as a workshop, you are sure to learn from your students too.
Once You Arrive
Before setting a schedule, interns are welcomed to the Center. As an intern, you will participate in an orientation that includes Arabic classes, information about the city of Hebron, and an introduction to Palestinian culture.
For you to be as involved as possible in the Palestinian community and culture, the Center provides you with accommodation with a Palestinian host family. They will help you in your acclimatization and with any issues that might arise. Male interns may instead stay at the Center’s dorm.
After the orientation, you will decide what kind of activities to develop and present to your students. These will be based on your knowledge and topics of interest, your field of specialty, and your level of experience and skills in the subject of community development.
Role Explanation
Your Community Development Program is based at Study in Palestine’s facilities in Hebron in the West Bank, Palestine. Your internship will include planning and executing lesson plans, workshops, programs, and activities.
This short-term, affordable internship requires participants to engage particularly with the local youth. This is to improve their self-confidence and discuss career and job opportunities with them. During this short-term placement, you will be encouraged to work with the local Palestinian youth to enhance their prospects for employability, or guidance on how to start a business.
Interns in the Community Development Program will gain valuable cultural experience related to the local employment opportunities in Palestine for the youth and young adults in the West Bank. This program allows you to harness your knowledge, skills, experience, and passion to benefit the Palestinian community.
Activities and Projects During Internship
Below are some ideas of projects you can run and activities that you can take part in:
- Classes on personal and professional development such as:
- Working or studying in an international environment
- Employability skills
- How to start up a successful small business
- Communication skills
- Leadership and problem-solving skills
- The job market in Palestine
- The benefits of studying abroad for job prospects
- Attend cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities
- Meet with and learn from other programs in Hebron and gauge their effectiveness (such as the UN, USAID, and other NGOs)
We wholeheartedly welcome your suggestions for other activities.
Program Requirements
No special skills or experience are required for this program, but many kinds of skills can be put to use. Interns in Palestine with expertise in computing, leadership, life skills, soft skills, employability skills, business, and many other areas can often put this knowledge to work assisting the Palestinian community in Hebron.
If you have patience and enthusiasm, are eager to learn, and can work with an international team, you are welcome to join this program. You do not need prior travel experience, to be a native English speaker nor to have any ability to speak Arabic. A university degree is not required to participate in this program.
Who Comes To Intern With Us?
At Intern in Palestine, we do not discriminate on any basis, this includes a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or by any other discernible means.
Furthermore, we have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe. We have hosted interns and volunteers from Norway to Japan, amongst many other nationalities.
The majority of our interns are aged 18 and above here in Palestine. However, if you are younger than 18 please feel free to contact us and discuss internship possibilities. We have welcomed interns up to the age of 75 in the past. We have programs suitable for everyone with any specialization and interest.
Arabic Classes For Interns
Interns in our Community Development Program are provided with 3 hours of conversational Arabic classes each week (12 hours per month).
Your Arabic lessons will be taught by an experienced and knowledgeable Palestinian teacher, either one-on-one or in small groups. Whether you have studied Arabic before or this is your first time, we make our Arabic lessons suitable for you and your level. You will have many opportunities to practice your Arabic skills with native speakers.
Interns can freely choose what form of Arabic they would like to learn during their time in Palestine at Intern in Palestine.
Arabic Dialects To Learn
Interns in our Community Development Program in Hebron can choose from a range of Arabic dialects to study during their time in the West Bank. As part of your internship, we offer the following options:
- Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect)
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Mixed Program: (Modern Standard Arabic & Shami Arabic)
We are always here to offer advice if you are unsure about the differences between these dialects or which one is right for you.
Program Overview:
| Location: | Hebron, West Bank |
| Program Fees | No Deadline/Flexible |
| Age | 18+ years old |
| Minimum Duration | One week |
| Maximum Duration | 13 Weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Year-round/Flexible |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline/Flexible |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | Two days a week (Fri – Sun) |
| Areas of Interest | Palestinian community development Palestinian youth Palestinian children and refugees |
| Number of Interns | 2-5 participants at the same time |
| University Credit | Available |
| Nearest Airports | Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel Eilat Ramon Airport in Israel Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan |
| Program’s Reviews | Reviews & ratings (96%) on Gooverseas.com Reviews & ratings (94%) on Goabroad.com Participants’ video testimonials |
Program Fees
Intern in Palestine does not receive any funds from any governmental or non-governmental organizations. Therefore, the Center charges a fee of €750 a month or €250 a week.
The program fees include:
- Pre-departure support
- Accommodation
- Community Breakfast each morning (Sat–Thur)
- Full coordination while interning in Palestine
- 3 hours per week of Arabic classes every week
- Guided tours to various sites in Hebron and the surrounding area
- Certificate upon completion of the program
When Does It Take Place?
This Palestinian Community Development Internship Program takes place year-round. Interns are free to decide when they would like to begin and end their program. We are very flexible when it comes to starting dates and duration. You may stay from one week, up to 13 weeks in our program in Hebron.
Homestay During Your Time In Hebron
Intern in Palestine aims to achieve social cohesion through cultural immersion. The Center provides the internship’s participants homestays in Hebron as follows:
- Female participants have the opportunity to live with a designated Palestinian host family in the local Hebron area.
- Male participants can stay in male dorms provided at the Center, Hebron.
Private rooms can also be arranged, although these naturally come with an additional fee.
A Typical Day as an Intern
- Your day generally begins at 10 am and finishes at approximately 5 pm. Your expected commitment hours are around 25-30 per week. You will have two days free each week– Fridays and a second day of your choice.
- The day begins with breakfast at the center and it is shared with teachers, directors, and volunteers/interns from other programs. Breakfast gives you the chance to try traditional Palestinian food such as hummus and labneh. You will also socialize and practice your Arabic if you wish. You can take a break for lunch whenever you have time in your schedule. It is easy to find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and falafel and shawarma places nearby for your lunch.
- Your schedule is likely to be different each day. It can include your Arabic lessons, visits to local organizations, sightseeing trips in Hebron organized by Intern in Palestine as well as your program commitments. Additionally, there will be time used to prepare your lesson plans for the workshops you will oversee.
- Evenings are usually free, although we will organize occasional optional activities as part of our commitment to showcasing Palestine’s culture. During the evenings, our interns often arrange to go to a cafe to study or socialize. Many may have dinner at a restaurant together, spend time with their host family (only for female interns), or go to a local gym.
Free Time And Weekend Exploration
We understand that traveling to the region is a large attraction for most of our interns. Our internship programs in Palestine are designed to give you plenty of free time to explore the exciting destinations within Palestine and Israel.
On your days off, you are welcome to spend them how you choose. Many of our interns arrange to visit other cities together on their days off. This includes, but is not limited to cities such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jericho (and the Dead Sea) Nablus, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, and many more. Traveling around Palestine is relatively easy and affordable.
Indeed, you may be surprised by how fast your schedule will fill up and how quickly your time will fly!
Benefits of the Internship:
- Immersion in Palestinian culture, daily life, and society while living in Hebron
- Undertaking trips to the old city, holy sites, other sites, local organizations, a refugee camp in Hebron, and more during your time
- Spoken Arabic language lessons (12 hours a month or 3 hours a week)
- Well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you
- Opportunity to improve or practice your Arabic by communicating with native speakers
- Visits to Palestinian and international NGOs in Hebron
- Meetings with Palestinian university and school students and teachers
- Travel to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem
- The ability to visit nearby cities as well as those in Jordan including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum
- Attendance at Palestinian cultural nights, such as weddings, or those featuring entertainment
- A certificate upon completion
Traveling To Palestine On Your Own?
No worries, you’ve come to the right place!
You will easily meet many Palestinian university and school students, as well as community members, all of whom hold a variety of interests. Palestinian people, particularly in Hebron, love to meet new people from different cultures and exchange ideas and experiences with them.
While it can initially seem a bit intimidating, once you get here you will settle in and feel comfortable very quickly. Everyone at Intern in Palestine- Palestinian students, international visitors, and staff– is one family and they share activities.
Safety Of Our Volunteers And Interns
The region of Palestine has not been stable for the last few decades, there is always unrest and war. Sometimes it becomes more volatile and at other times it’s calmer. Nonetheless, each year millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank without any safety issues. This includes Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jerusalem, Salfeet, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities. Palestinians are welcoming and hospitable people. They recognize that the politics of a country and its people may differ.
Since it was formed in 2011, Intern in Palestine has welcomed over 1000 international visitors. These visitors lived and worked in Hebron for a few weeks to several months. Overall, they did not face any threat nor were they unsafe in Hebron or the West Bank.
The Center is located in an area of Hebron which is under the Palestinian Authority and in the heart of the city. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are conveniently located near the Center as well.
Reviews And Community Awards
Intern in Palestine has welcomed people from 40 different countries since 2011. For our influence on foreign visitors, we got our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” in 2019. Most recently, we were selected as one of the “Best Places to Teach Abroad, Top Spots for Volunteering Abroad, Greatest Language Schools, and Best Internship Abroad Providers of 2023” by Go Overseas. Connecting, educating, and advancing people within the local and global communities continues to be our mission.
The Excellence Center in Palestine is well-known for its cultural immersion, welcoming staff and environment, and dedication to debunking myths about Palestine and Palestinians. If you are interested in Palestinian culture and want to visit the West Bank, please read our program reviews to see whether Internship in Palestine is the right organization for you.
- +740 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
- +120 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Video testimonials
The West Bank Immersion Program, in particular, is ideal for anybody interested in improving the health, education, and rights of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank.
Traveling To and From Hebron, Palestine
Intern in Palestine’s staff knows, that as an intern in Palestine, travel information to Palestine can make your international journey easier. For this reason, we have detailed guides for how to get to Hebron, West Bank, how you can make your way to the center, which taxi you should take, and how you can cross the checkpoints in the West Bank.
You may find all necessary information on traveling to Hebron, Palestine, and the center, including our contact information, in these four articles:
- 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
Do I Need A Visa To Intern In The West Bank?
Most of the center’s participants in the West Bank Immersion Internship Program receive a tourist visa for three months when they fly to Israeli airports or cross the checkpoint from Jordan to the West Bank.
In general, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine (and Israel), as these interns usually qualify for the visa exemption agreement. When you arrive at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days which allows you to travel in Palestine and Israel.
Tel Aviv Airport Pickups
Our staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and 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 the center.
Intern in Palestine will organize calls with you via WhatsApp, write invitation letters, send travel instructions, and give you advice on different topics for your travels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we need committed and competent interns. They will empower Palestinian youth, children, refugees, school students, and community members through community development activities. By sharing your knowledge and passion in this field, you can make a real contribution to the local Palestinian community, especially the youth. Additionally, interns in Palestine will benefit greatly from this program in terms of personal development and gaining valuable work experience.
This Palestinian Community Development program is very flexible and there are many activities that you can carry out, depending on your interests and expertise. The ways that you can participate in this program and contribute are nearly endless. You are welcome to join this program as long as you can communicate in English. It doesn’t matter whether you are a native or non-native English speaker and you do not need any ability to speak Arabic.
Whether you are a university or college student, a graduate, taking a sabbatical or gap year, or someone who is looking to make a difference in the lives of Palestinians, this is a wonderful opportunity for you.
How To Apply
Please send us an email at info@ecpalestine.org and write “Palestinian Community Development Internship Program” as the subject line. We will then send you the application form.
Other Internship Opportunities Available
Besides our Community Development Internship Program, Intern in Palestine provides a wide array of other volunteer opportunities and programs. Our internship programs in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine include but are not limited to:
Furthermore, if you can’t decide between two programs or would like to do both to get a broader experience, you are welcome to combine programs. For example, you can intern in the Community Development Program for two weeks and then join the Human Rights Program the following week.
Connect with Us!
For more information, please visit our Excellence Center website.
Volunteer in Palestine
Watch us on Youtube
Whatsapp: +972 599 479 880
Email: Info@ecpalestine.org
