Internship with Palestinian Children in the West Bank

Home » Intern with Palestinian Children

Intern with Palestinian Children

The Intern with Palestinian Children Program is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, retirees, social workers, and teachers interested in working with children. It is also ideal for anyone interested in volunteering with Palestinian children.

Additionally, those interested in childhood education will benefit from humanitarian interning with children in Palestine. Interns are provided a full immersion into Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, the human rights situation, and the educational system.

Interns can join our program for the period that best suits them, anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks. You can during any time of the year as we are flexible when it comes to the starting and ending dates. People of all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, but you must be at least 18 to join.

You will have the chance to meet many Palestinian children who yearn to interact with visitors from around the world. The Palestinian children are the future, and helping them grow will have a direct impact on their own well-being and their country. You will make a difference in their lives as well as your own.

Volunteer & Internship Programs in the Gaza Strip

An Immersive Experience with Palestinian Children

Interning with children in the West Bank will be a fully immersive experience for all involved. Interns will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children in a variety of subjects. You will also live and breathe Palestinian culture, the Arabic language, and the rich history of the Levant! This will occur in many ways.

Firstly, interns will have the opportunity to reside with a Palestinian host family or in an all-male dorm located in the center of Hebron. In either case, interns will be completely immersed in the daily life of Palestine.

Secondly, by engaging with Palestinian children, you tend to forget the language barriers, helping you to learn Palestinian colloquial Arabic in a playful manner.

Summer Internship Programs

For people looking for humanitarian volunteer programs or internships with Palestinian children over the summer, Intern in Palestine offers great volunteer opportunities that span from May to September. These volunteer opportunities are ideal for students, English native speakers, or anyone on a summer break.

Specifically, these summer volunteer programs with Palestinian children will combine learning Arabic with a full education and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics, and history. This includes visits to Bedouin areas (Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages, and community centers.

Arabic Language Courses

Intern in Palestine offers free in-person Arabic language courses to all of its volunteers. These courses span 3 hours per week throughout one’s stay in Hebron. Learning Arabic will be valuable in your mission to aid the Palestinian community of Hebron.

Additionally, Intern in Palestine conducts regular ventures into Hebron. You will visit Palestinian cultural sights, local human rights organizations, businesses, factories, local universities, schools, and refugee camps. All of this will give volunteers a well-rounded understanding of Palestine.

Interacting With Palestinian Culture

Interns in Hebron will find that the majority of Palestinian people are incredibly friendly and open to foreigners. Furthermore, if participants utilize their Arabic skills, no matter how well developed, they will find that most Palestinians are enthusiastic and patient communicators. They are very happy to have people take an interest in their language and culture.

In addition, Palestine is located at the heart of the Levant (the area associated with the eastern Mediterranean and the cradle of three world religions). This will provide ample opportunity to visit cultural sights, historical monuments, and other landmarks. Although Palestinians face difficult circumstances, participants will find that they are open and friendly and that Hebron is a safe place to learn, intern, and volunteer!

Who Is This Internship Program For?

The Intern with Palestinian Children program is for anyone interested in working with children and who understands the importance of connecting Palestine to the world.

Exposing young generations of Palestinians to other people and cultures will connect them to the international community. It will also dispel any preconceptions Palestinians may have about other cultures.

Particularly, this internship program is perfect for those interested in political science, human rights, Islamic culture, politics of the Middle East, and Arabic culture/language. It can also help you to build a career with international NGOs. Many NGOs, Palestinian governments, and international organizations see volunteer work in the Middle East and experience with the Arabic language as a major plus.

This program is open to people of all ages, from students to seniors, who wish to make a difference in the lives of Palestine’s youth and children.

Who Can Participate?

Those who love working with Palestinian children and who wish to make a career out of doing so are encouraged to apply. The children of Palestine are eager to learn. Being a constructive force in their lives by coming to intern in Palestine is the best way to ensure their prosperity and empowerment.

Intern in Palestine does not discriminate against individuals on any basis. This includes a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation or any other basis. Furthermore, the Excellence Center and Inter in Palestine has a long history of welcoming people from around the globe.

Participants have visited the Excellence Center and Intern in Palestine from the following countries: the UK, the US, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, China and New Zealand! All people who wish to advance the welfare of Palestinian children are encouraged to apply!

Intern Guidelines:

To volunteer with Palestinian children, you should be:

Willing to work with Palestinian children from diverse backgrounds
A student or graduate who seeks teaching experience
Someone interested in the educational system in Palestine
An English or education major student
Willing to make an impact on the local Palestinian community
Someone who desires to help empower the future leaders of Palestine

Requirements:

At least 18 years old
The ability to communicate in English
The ability to work with an international team
Patience, enthusiasm, and empathy
Eagerness to learn

NOT Required:

Ability to speak Arabic
Travel or work experience
Be a native English speaker
Degree in English or any other specialization
Experience in teaching English as a foreign language

A Huge Range Of Impacts

The Intern with Palestinian Children Program is very well-researched and targeted. It is suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into the daily life and education of Palestinians, as well as gain experience in teaching English and learning about human rights.

We aim to make a long-term difference to the local Palestinian communities through the exchange of ideas and by “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and the wider community in the West Bank.

Benefits of Interning:

The Intern with Palestinian Children program offers many benefits including:

Living in Hebron and undertaking trips to the Old City, holy sites, and more
Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and the opportunity to communicate with locals
3 hours of Arabic lessons per week
Exposure to daily life, culture, and society in Hebron
Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or in our male apartment
Opportunity to enjoy local Palestinian foods and dishes
Palestinian cultural nights
Opportunities to view tourist attractions from a native perspective, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
Ability to visit nearby cities as well as those in Jordan, including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth
Assistance of well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, all with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you
Certificate upon completion

You will get the opportunity to meet Palestinian university and school students, as well as members of the Hebron community and local organizations, as an international student studying Arabic in Palestine.

Leading Workshops

Educational classes and workshops will take place in either the Center or the local Palestinian community such as daycare centers, schools, children’s organizations, special needs schools, or refugee camps in Hebron.

Upon your arrival in Hebron, interns will get the chance to craft and develop your workshops tailored to working with Palestinian children. These workshops and classes will constitute the primary portion of the interns’ workload during your time in the West Bank.

Previous Workshops Have Included:

Drama/theater workshops for Palestinian refugees
Fun days in refugee camps
Conversational English language workshops
Art and music workshops for disabled Palestinian children
Media training
Environmental camps
Mathematics lessons
Journalism workshops for high school students

(Note: All interns wishing to work with Palestinian children are required to take a safeguarding interview. This is to ensure that volunteers fully understand their responsibilities as caretakers of children, as well as the laws and protocols in place to protect children from abuse.)

Of course, Intern in Palestine will assist all interns in acquiring the necessary resources to conduct their workshops successfully and connect them with local experts here in Hebron. These resources and experts include local NGOs, community centers, refugee organizations, schools, charities, law firms, universities, and daycare programs. This is made possible by the Center’s deep ties to the local community here in Hebron!

Daily/Weekly Schedule For Interns:

Interning with Palestinian children requires commitment and flexibility. You are expected to work approximately 30 hours a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Saturday – Thursday). Interns will have two days off per week – Friday, and another of their choice.

Breakfast will be provided every workday at the Center, with ingredients coming from a diverse range of local Palestinian agriculture. Breakfast is intended to prepare interns for the workday ahead. In addition, breakfast will be shared between the Center’s staff, volunteers, and interns. This is designed to create stronger communal bonds throughout the Center, along with touching base with all participants about their experiences and ambitions for the coming day(s).

Intern in Palestine will also lead regular excursion trips into Hebron and neighboring cities, connecting volunteers with local activists and organizations. Evenings are usually free, allowing interns the opportunity to explore the city of Hebron, including its many restaurants, shops, and historical sights. Interns will have the chance to travel on their own to Israeli cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Akko, and Tiberias, as well as to the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.

In addition to their work throughout the day, interns will also have their Arabic language courses. Participants’ schedules can fill up quickly, and their time in Palestine will go by faster than they can believe.

The First Week

The first week at Intern in Palestine will be focused on helping interns adapt to life in Hebron and Palestinian culture. To achieve this, interns will enroll in Arabic language courses at the Center and courses centered around Palestinian culture and customs. Taking these courses early on will help you in assisting the Palestinian people around you. The efforts made by interns to learn about Palestinian culture and customs will certainly be reciprocated by the Palestinians they help.

If you are only planning a short-term internship service (1 to 2 weeks), we recommend that you contact us at least one week beforehand to organize your schedule. We would be happy to arrange a WhatsApp call to provide all the necessary information for you.

Weeks 2-12

Every week thereafter, the interns will focus on learning about their chosen workshops, activities, and educational programs in Palestine. They will then create these programs in cooperation with local Palestinian organizations, helping them improve their understanding of these subjects. These workshops can include educational seminars on conversational English, how to safely navigate the internet, leadership/life skills, specific sports, or anything that will enrich the lives of Palestinian children here. There is no limit to the workshops interns can create. The Excellence Center will be happy to help put these ideas into practice!

Our staff will introduce you to our manual of teaching, and to the activity booklets which give examples and provide you with information. Interns who have limited experience in such workshops are also welcome to apply to enhance their skills.

General Program Overview:

Place of Program	Hebron, West Bank, Palestine
Program Fees	750€ per Month 250€ per Week
Program Focus	Internship with Palestinian children Volunteer with Palestinian refugees Work with disabled kids in Palestine
Age	18-70 Years Old
Minimum Duration	1 Week
Maximum Duration	13 Weeks
Weekly Arabic lessons	3 hours per week
Class Duration	45 Minutes
Number of Interns	Variable (3-5 Interns)
Starting/Ending Dates	Flexible – Anytime
Application Deadline	No Deadline
Program Reviews	Reviews and Ratings on Gooverseas Reviews and Ratings on Goabroad Video testimonials
Airport Pickup	Available (Fee applies)
University Credit	Available
Program Language	English/Arabic

Program Costs and Information:

Intern in Palestine charges 750€ a month or 250€ a week. The prices listed on this webpage are the complete and final cost interns will pay. The Program Fees Cover housing in Hebron, Arabic language courses, the Center’s operating costs, breakfast during the week, and group excursions around Hebron.

What Language is the Program Run In?

All our volunteer and internship programs and colloquial Arabic lessons cater to English speakers. However, to ensure full immersion, and as the course level increases, English will be used less in the classroom.

Do You Need University Credits?

The Intern with Palestinian Children program offers students university and internship credits if needed for your university. If you are applying for funding to intern in Palestine, the Center would be more than happy to help, providing any requested documents.

Accommodation While Interning

When residing in Hebron, male participants in the program will have the option of either residing in a dorm or with a Palestinian host family (depending on availability). For those residing in a dorm, there will be extra time to become acquainted with the other volunteers at Intern in Palestine Furthermore, the dorms are located next to Hebron’s metropolitan center. This will provide ample opportunity to explore Hebron with others, which may lead to many exciting experiences!

The second option (available primarily to female participants) is to reside with a Palestinian host family. The benefit of this is that participants will receive a firsthand view of Palestinian life, customs, and culture, along with cuisine and family structures. Furthermore, participants residing with a Palestinian host family will likely be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience!

Participants who choose to live in private accommodation will cover their own expenses. However, we will be happy to help you find accommodation suitable to your needs in the city of Hebron.

Traveling to Hebron, Palestine

Intern in Palestine has information on all the resources you need to travel in an efficient, safe, and practical manner to Hebron. Please read our articles below on flying to Palestine, getting to Hebron, planning your trip, and Israeli/Palestinian taxi services.

Tel Aviv Airport Pickups

Intern in Palestine 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 to get to Intern in Palestine (about an hour, distance of 60 km/37 miles). Additional fees apply as this trip costs about 160 Euros. Please Contact the Excellence Center staff if you are interested in this option.

Program Reviews

Intern in Palestine has established a prestigious and highly acclaimed reputation for its active engagement with children and youth in Palestine. If you still have reservations about volunteering in Palestine at Intern in Palestine, explore our volunteer and internship program reviews to evaluate whether we meet your expectations!

+730 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
+150 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program video testimonials

Summary

The Intern with Palestinian Children Program presents an ideal opportunity for university students, gap year participants, and individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Palestinian children in the West Bank. The scope for applying your skills as a volunteer is limitless.

Interning with Children in Palestine is an unparalleled experience, one that will profoundly influence participants’ perspectives for years to come. Furthermore, volunteering in the West Bank is the perfect stepping stone for those passionate about working with Palestinian children and refugees or pursuing a career in early childhood education and children’s welfare. Take action today and embark on your volunteering journey in Palestine.

How To Apply

If you’re excited about interning with Palestinian children, don’t hesitate to email us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We’re here to help, and you can expect to hear back from us within 1-2 business days. In the subject line of your email, please write “Intern With Children In The West Bank.” Upon writing back to you we will attach an application form which you will fill out and return to us to begin the process. We hope to hear from you soon!