The West Bank Immersion Internship Program offers international participants the chance to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life. Additionally, one can learn about human rights, Palestinian refugee situations, and politics in Hebron, West Bank. The internship opportunity involves participating in a highly respected community development initiative run by Intern in Palestine.
To facilitate a deep cultural experience, the Center organizes visits to various institutions. This includes both Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Palestinian governmental organizations, factories, and Palestinian refugee camps in Hebron. This firsthand exposure provides an exciting opportunity for interns to gain insight into daily life in Palestine. The internship program offers a range of internships at the Center to cater to different interests and career goals.
In addition, interns enrolled in the internship program have the option to study either Modern Standard Arabic or Ammiyya (spoken Arabic dialects). They will also interact with Palestinian locals, reside with a Palestinian host family, and gain a deeper understanding of the rich Palestinian culture.
The West Bank Immersion Internship Program caters to students, graduates, professionals, retirees, and individuals passionate about advocating for human rights and supporting Palestinian refugees and children. Intern in Palestine welcomes people from all over the world and strives to foster connections between individuals worldwide and Palestine.
Accessible Internship Programs
Intern in Palestine offers accessible internship programs for international participants. The internships take place between one and three months. They are perfect for individuals interested in helping the Palestinian community and learning either Palestinian, Levantine, or Modern Standard Arabic.
We provide an engaging environment for interns to make a difference in a safe and meaningful way. This can range from teaching English as a foreign language to studying Arabic and sharing information about human rights in Palestine, along with several other topics. As part of the various programs, you will be offered visits to local sites, lectures, and discussions to develop your understanding of the respective internship, and as part of a commitment to cultural exchange.
The West Bank Immersion Internship Program is available year-round and is ideal for a wide variety of internationals. This could be from law or human rights students to those wishing to broaden their life experience while learning a new language.
Intern and Volunteer With Palestinian Children
In the last two stages of the internship, you will have the chance to intern and volunteer with Palestinian children in Hebron and local refugee camps. This is a unique experience that will shape participants’ perspectives for years to come. Interns will have the chance to create their workshops geared toward Palestinian children.
Previous workshops have included:
- Drama for Palestinian refugees
- Fun days for Palestinian kids in the refugee camps
- Conversational English language for Palestinian kids
- Arts and music for disabled Palestinian children
- Media training for Palestinian school students
- Environmental camps for young school students
- Journalism workshops for high school students
- Medicine (First Aid Courses)
- And more!
Internship Impact
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank are well-researched and targeted. They are 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 Palestine.
Summer Internships In Palestine
For people looking for an internship over the summer in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East, Intern in Palestine offers internships that span from June to September. These internship programs are ideal for students, English native speakers, or any individuals looking to intern on an extended visit.
These summer internship programs combine Arabic language focus with full learning, immersion, and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics, and history. It includes visits to Bedouin areas (Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages, and community centers.
What Can an Internship In Palestine Offer?
The Internship in the West Bank is suitable for participants who are looking to:
- Study Arabic in Palestine (Modern Standard Arabic, MSA) or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Learn more and engage in Palestinian culture and politics
- Learn about Human Rights Studies in Palestine
- Assist the cause of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank
- Learn about the legal system in the West Bank and Palestinian laws
- See the political and legal situation in the West Bank
- Lead community activities in the city of Hebron
- Provide educational support for Palestinians
Who Is This Internship For?
Intern in Palestine was founded in June 2011. Since then, interns from all over the world have come to join our family in Hebron. Most of our interns have traveled from countries like the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, and Canada.
In general, the West Bank Immersion Internship is suitable for:
- Those who study the Middle East, refugee law, or human rights
- Gap year students
- University Students who wish to do a semester abroad
- Participants who are interested in understanding the politics of Palestine
- Arabic and Islamic Studies students
- Participants who wish to learn Arabic and immerse themselves in the Palestinian culture and daily life
- Everyone willing to help and make a difference in Palestine
Intern in Palestine welcomes individuals from all majors, nationalities, and backgrounds to apply for an internship in the West Bank, Palestine. The internship placement is designed for students and people who would like to live in a dynamic place like Palestine to get practical experience in their fields of interest and their skills.
Requirements:
What do you need to intern in Palestine?
- +18 years of age
- A positive attitude and willingness to learn about Palestine
- An interest in meeting many people in Palestine
- The ability to communicate in English
- The willingness to be a part of a family in Hebron, Palestine
What you don’t need to intern in Palestine:
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel experience
- To be a native English speaker
- An educational degree
- Experience teaching English
- To be a student
Internship Overview
| Questions | Answers |
| Place of Internship | Hebron, West Bank, Palestine |
| Program Language | English |
| Internship Duration | 4-13 Weeks |
| Hours of Arabic Instruction per Month | 20 hours |
| Starting/ Ending Dates | Flexible |
| Timeframe | Year-round |
| Internship Weekly Hours | 30 Hours |
| Area of Internship | Human Rights in Palestine The Palestinian legal and political situation Palestinian community development The Palestinian culture and politics Palestinian refugees in the West Bank |
| Intern Age | 18 years or older |
| Days of the Week | Saturday-Thursday: The Center is open six days a week. Interns are off Friday and one other day of their choice. |
| Monthly Costs | 1250€* |
| Homestay in Hebron | Palestinian host family Male dorm Private (Additional fees apply) |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Internship in Palestine Reviews | Reviews and Ratings On Gooverseas.com Reviews and Ratings On Goabroad.com Participants video testimonials |
Main Activities During The Internship
The Internship in the West Bank Program includes four main activities that will offer interns a life-changing experience:
1. Studying Arabic (MSA or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic)
The first week of the internship position will be focused on learning conversational Arabic. Interns will be provided an Arabic intensive course for 20 hours every month at the Center. These Arabic lessons make the internship an ideal learning experience for university students and people looking for a cultural introduction to their internship in Hebron.
2. Engaging in culture, politics, and site visits
Participants in the program will engage in cultural activities with both their host family and Intern in Palestine’s staff. An introduction to Palestinian politics and culture will be provided for internationals. In addition, there will be lectures and discussions about the Palestinian situation. Moreover, the center will organize visits to various sites in Hebron, including factories, universities, refugee camps, local NGOs, and law clinics, to name but a few.
3. Engaging and leading community development activities
Furthermore, interns in Palestine will play an active role in community development initiatives. Our interns will be given some fundamental preparation in advance outlining the organization of community development activities for residents of Hebron. After this, participants will develop and lead these events according to their interests and skills. In particular, the activities will be for Palestinian school students, university students, and/or community members and take place with the supervision of the Intern in Palestine team.
For example, those studying journalism can organize training for university or school students (for around 10-12 participants) teaching them how to write a press release or make a short movie. Such training can take place at local institutions in Hebron or organizations including universities, schools, educational and cultural centers, companies, etc.
4. Participating in educational activities
The last stage of the internship will include your participation in different educational activities that the Center organizes for the Palestinian community in and around the city of Hebron. Interns will support fun and game activities, and overall learning for Palestinian students. They will also assist in the English classes taught by the Palestinian teachers.
Additionally, interns will be asked to write some articles about Palestine and their experiences both with the community and during their stay at the Center.
Benefits of the Internship:
Participants of the Internship program in Hebron, West Bank will be provided with:
- 20 hours of Arabic lessons for each month they intern
- Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or a shared flat
- Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
- Understanding of Palestinian politics and experience of the occupation of the West Bank
- Get to know the human rights situations and help the Palestinian refugees
- Engagement in educational, community, and social activities
- The hospitality of Palestinians and a pleasant environment
- The chance to visit unique tourist attractions with a native perspective
- A certificate upon completion
Exploring the Famous Historical Cities
Moreover, weekends in Israel, Jordan, and Palestine exploring the famous historical cities such as Jericho, Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Masada is awaiting you! Travel to Jordan’s most ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid, and Aqaba, and broaden your experiences in the Middle East!
Living Accommodations:
The opportunity to stay with a Palestinian host family in Hebron, Palestine is guaranteed for female interns. However, homestay for male interns is subject to availability. Intern in Palestine makes living arrangements for male interns in shared flats when homestay is not available. If you are a male student looking to stay with a host family, please apply early for the best chance to be placed with a host family.
Duration of The Internship
Intern in Palestine accepts applications year-round from individuals looking for a 1-3 month internship with our organization. Participants in the Internship in the West Bank, Palestine Program decide when they would like to start and end their program. We are very flexible with starting dates and the duration.
If you are looking for an internship or a volunteer program for less than one month (e.g. one, two, or three weeks), then please consider our Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine Program (1-13 weeks).
A Typical Day for Interns
As an intern in the West Bank, Palestine, you will be expected to work about 30 hours a week. This is from around 9 am until 5 pm, Saturday to Thursday. Interns receive Friday and one other day of their choice off. Normally, international interns start the day with a breakfast at the center together with Palestinian teachers, international volunteers from other programs, and directors.
Mornings are generally quiet at the center. Interns will have their Arabic course in the morning and help in the educational and community activities after midday. During the day, you will also have the opportunity to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron, meet with members of the community, and visit local organizations. You will usually have your evenings free, although the center will occasionally organize optional activities.
Our internship program is a unique opportunity to get valuable experience in your field of interest and connect with others on an international level. Not only is this program certain to make your resume stand out. More importantly, it will make a significant contribution to the Palestinian community.
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 including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jerusalem, Salfeet, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities without any safety issues. 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.
Flying To Hebron, Palestine
Unfortunately, Palestine does not have any airports in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip. All Palestinians use the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad instead. However, international interns in Palestine may also fly to Israeli airports and then cross into Hebron, West Bank.
The easiest way to get to Hebron, Palestine is:
- Fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to Hebron and the center via shared Taxi.
- Furthermore, you can fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then cross to Palestine, but it takes more time and is more expensive.
- Finally, you can also fly to Eilat Ramon airport (South of Israel) and then travel by booking a shuttle, or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. This trip to Hebron can last between 6-7 hours.
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.
How To Apply
Please send us an email at info@ecpalestine.org and write “The West Bank Immersion Internship Program” as the subject line. We will then send you the application form.
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