Help Palestinian Refugees by Interning in the West Bank
Interns are needed in the West Bank to engage directly with Palestinian refugees. This opportunity is excellent for individuals committed to human rights issues and interested in volunteering with refugees. Interns will work mostly with children, youth, and women to improve their opportunities and educate them.
Interning with refugees in Palestine is a great way for university students and graduates to gain practical experience in the human rights sector. This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, human rights group employees, retirees, and anyone interested in internship opportunities with refugees in the West Bank.
Unfortunately, Palestinian schools are very underdeveloped and lack many fundamental resources to meet the educational needs of their students. Therefore, you can make a significant difference in the lives of Palestinian kids by offering your time here. Participants will also design educational workshops for Palestinian children, youth, or women.
Interns will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian human rights organizations, community centers, international NGOs, and charity organizations, as a way to advocate for the rights of refugees. Participants can also create educational workshops for Palestinian children, youth, women, and the local community in general. Moreover, this program is ideal for those with an interest in political science, human rights, or politics of the Middle East. The program can last anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, depending on the intern’s preferences, and participants will live in Hebron with a Palestinian host family throughout that time.
Support Palestinians and a Local Organization
Underfunding is a widely recognized issue in schools within Palestinian refugee camps. This then leads to a lack of basic resources to meet the educational needs of their students. By joining Internship in Palestine, you are supporting not just a local Palestinian organization, but also the Palestinian community as a whole. We provide low-cost courses for Palestinian students to empower low-income families and provide them with access to education and English language programs. The center also provides several free workshops, seminars, and courses to help Palestinian refugees in Hebron.
Interns in Palestine play a significant role in improving the well-being of the Palestinian population. Your collaboration with us contributes to the development and construction of pathways to comprehension. Consequently, several internship opportunities in Palestine help with education and community development. By contributing your time to the numerous internship opportunities with Palestinian refugees we provide, you may significantly improve the lives of children and youth.
Intern with Palestinian Refugees in Summer
Interning with refugees over the summer months can be a fantastic opportunity for university students interested in gaining practical experience in Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. Our Intern with Refugees Summer Program is great for those looking to interact and intern with Palestinian refugees in the summer. We operate our Intern with Palestinian Refugees Program year-round. We also have summer internship programs specifically designed for students looking for opportunities to intern abroad with refugees while also gaining university credit.
This is a fantastic opportunity for university students. Intern in Palestine can grant academic credit to our already enrolled university students thanks to collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. Join this amazing chance to travel throughout the summer, obtain practical experience in a related profession, and work towards your degree all at the same time.
About the Displaced Palestinian Population
The Palestinian diaspora is the largest group of displaced people in the world, with approximately 7.1 million Palestinians dispersed globally. This phenomenon can be traced back to two pivotal years in the mid-twentieth century. The first occurred in 1948, during the Nakba when Palestinians fled their homes to evade Israeli Zionist militias. The second is 1967, when Israel occupied the Syrian Golan Heights, the West Bank, Gaza, and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War.
Over 700,000 Palestinians fled during the Nakba from what was to become the new state of Israel to lands controlled by Jordan or Egypt and became refugees. Their children are still considered refugees to this day. Palestinians also fled to other areas of the region, notably Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Jordan was the only country in the world to provide citizenship to newly displaced refugees.
Help Palestinian Refugee Camps
The UNRWA, also known as the UN Relief and Works Agency, is responsible for supporting 19 refugee camps in the West Bank alone. Palestinian refugees are under the purview of the UN. Al Fawwar and Al Arroub are two well-known camps that are infamously overcrowded and miserable, lacking in basic amenities, infrastructure, and essentials like hospitals and schools.
These West Bank refugee camps began as sprawling tent towns. Then, as time passed and it became evident that a return to the original cities was unlikely, stone structures progressively replaced tents, resulting in tight, concrete quarters. The camps have an exceedingly high population density. This results in frequent housing shortages and congestion due to a lack of space to build new dwellings.
Program Description
Your primary role as an intern will be to provide educational and cultural services to the Palestinian refugee population. Intern in Palestine primarily focuses on education as it is a fundamental need for everyone. The significance of not underestimating the work with refugees in these camps cannot be overstated.
Because there are settlements located outside of major city centers, residents have very few opportunities to interact with international tourists and improve their English. As a result, the Center makes every effort to bring Palestinians and foreign participants closer together.
General Information Regarding Program Costs and Components
| Program Location | Hebron, Palestine |
| Program Fees | 250 Euros per week |
| Registration Fee | 30 Euros |
| Age | 18-70 years old |
| Duration | 1-13 weeks |
| Teaching Hours | 3 hours per week |
| One Teaching Hour | 45 minutes |
| Number of Participants | 1-5 |
| Program Focus | Palestinian refugees, human rights, child refugees, Refugee camps in the West Bank |
| Related Subjects | Middle East Studies , Arabic Language and Literature , Political Science, Case Studies on Israel-Palestine , Humanitarian aid |
| Start/End Dates | Flexible to fit participant’s schedule |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| University Credit | Available |
| Educational Degree | Not required |
| Program Language | English |
Program Costs and Information
The program costs cover language courses, housing, complimentary breakfast each day the participant is at the center, operating costs, and group excursions into Hebron. The program prices listed on this webpage are the complete and final cost students will pay. There are no other additional or hidden fees applied to these programs.
Schedule for Interns
Program interns must be dedicated and adaptable. Participants will need to dedicate approximately 30 hours per week between 10 am and 5 pm on weekdays. Each week, participants can choose one day off in addition to Fridays when the Center is closed.
Every morning, breakfast is served at the Center in Hebron. Bread, olive oil, and za’atar, hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, and cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper are traditional ingredients. The Center’s staff, volunteers, and interns traditionally share breakfast.
Throughout the week, the Center also organizes frequent trips into Hebron and adjacent cities, linking interns with local activists and groups. Evenings are often free, allowing interns to explore the city and its numerous restaurants, shops, and historical sites on their own.
Interns will also attend Arabic classes twice a week for an hour and a half in addition to their internship duties. All of this means that intern schedules fill up rapidly, and time in Palestine will fly by.
Intern with Palestinian Refugee Children
The Internship Program is tailored to offer assistance and support to children, encompassing both educational and vocational aspects. It aims to equip children with practical life skills while contributing to their academic development.
Previous workshops have included:
- Drama workshops for Palestinian refugees
- Fun days for Palestinian kids in the refugee camps
- Conversational English language learning for Palestinian kids
- Arts and music classes 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)
Interns will be able to participate in a range of interesting and exciting initiatives in which they can immerse themselves. They will also get the opportunity to work with children from refugee camps, where they frequently lack schooling and educational assistance, as well as a need for fun and excitement.
Arabic Lessons for All Our Interns
All interns receive three hours of Arabic instruction each week, or twelve hours per month, from one of our experienced Palestinian teachers. Additionally, interns will have several opportunities to interact with Palestinians and hone their Arabic abilities.
Arabic Dialects to Study
Interns have the opportunity to learn a selection of Arabic dialects during their stay in the West Bank at our headquarters in Hebron. Our selection of Arabic dialects is as follows:
- Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect)
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Mixed Program: (Modern Standard Arabic & Shami Arabic)
We can help you choose which Arabic dialect to study if you are unsure.
Who is this Program For?
Interns who want to help Palestinians in the West Bank can benefit from this program while obtaining real-world experience. This curriculum will also assist those interested in diplomacy, international law, and Middle Eastern politics. The Palestinian Refugees Internship Program is ideal for individuals committed to advancing human rights and improving the lives of refugees.
The Intern in Palestine Program can grant academic credit to program participants through our cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, making this program especially advantageous for university students. Furthermore, new graduates will see this as an excellent chance for contextual application of their specialization while expanding their skill set.
Who Can Participate?
Intern in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis; this includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. We have a long history of accepting individuals from all over the world, from all walks of life, and with diverse origins and identities. Everyone is welcome here!
We have accepted a diverse spectrum of applicants to our internship programs with refugees since its inception in 2011. These include:
- University students who wish to have experience in the Palestine and Israel area
- Gap year students
- Older or retired people seeking adventure
- Individuals interested in studying and practicing their Arabic
- Participants who would like to know more about Israel/Palestine, and the political and humanitarian situation there
- University students who wish to write articles or conduct research in Palestine
- Anyone willing to help Palestinians and make a difference in the community
Most importantly, all of our interns have one thing in common: an open mind and a desire to learn about and participate in Palestinian culture and customs.
Requirements for Interning with Refugees
There are only three criteria for participants wishing to intern with refugees in the West Bank, Palestine. The first is that participants are either conversationally fluent in English or Arabic, as the program runs in these languages. The second is that they are between the ages of 18 and 70 (exceptions are possible in special cases). And finally, all participants have a positive and can-do attitude, as well as an eagerness and openness to learn.
Participant Requirements:
- Colloquial fluency in either Arabic or English
- Interest and capability of working with Palestinian kids
- Communication skills
- Between the ages of 18 and 70 (unless granted special permissions by the Center’s director)
- A positive, ‘can do’ attitude and an eagerness and openness to learn
In Which Language Is the Program Run?
When traveling across Palestine, students must use their Arabic skills to the best of their abilities, creating a truly immersive experience. All our programs are geared toward English speakers. However, for the sake of immersion, the classroom will use less English as the Arabic course level increases.
Housing
When staying in Hebron, you will have the option to reside either with a Palestinian host family or in a dorm; in either case, there are advantages to both. For those staying in a dorm, you will have extra time to become acquainted with other Center participants and volunteers. Additionally, the dorms are located in Hebron’s metropolitan center, providing ample opportunity to explore downtown.
The second option available to participants will be to reside with a Palestinian host family. This option will provide participants with an intimate view of Palestinian daily life, customs, and culture. Interns will also have the chance to become familiar with family structures and taste some of the delicious Palestinian cuisine. Participants residing with a host family are likely to receive invitations to family gatherings and cultural events, ensuring a culturally immersive experience!
Participants may also choose to live in private accommodation, however this will entail covering their own expenses. If you prefer this option, we are happy to help find a living situation suitable to your needs.
Whichever housing option participants choose, their time in Palestine is sure to be immersive, enriching, and memorable!
Participate in many extracurricular activities
Interns from all around the world help with educational, cultural, and communal projects. Furthermore, Intern in Palestine organizes a variety of extracurricular events such as tours of the ancient city and house visits to Palestinian families. This allows you to observe various facets of Palestinian society and broaden your understanding of the region.
Traveling to Hebron
It will take a while to go to the Center in Hebron, Palestine, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Even though getting to Hebron has its challenges, Intern in Palestine offers all the tools you need to get here. Please read the pages below for further information on how to prepare for your trip, fly to Palestine, get to Hebron, and about Israeli and Palestinian taxi services:
- How to get to Hebron, Palestine
- Planning your trip to Palestine
- How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron
Do not hesitate to contact our team if you have more questions about visiting Palestine. You can reach us by using the information at the bottom of this page.
Program Reviews
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 and Intern in Palestine is well-known for its cultural immersion, welcoming staff and environment, and dedication to debunking myths about Palestine and Palestinians. Therefore, Intern in Palestine is the perfect organization if you are interested in Palestinian culture and want to visit the West Bank.
- +740 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
- +120 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Video testimonials
The Palestinian Refugees Internship Program is ideal for anybody interested in improving of Palestinian refugees’ lives in the West Bank.
Internship Program Opportunities:
There are several internship options available at Intern in Palestine for people from all nations and backgrounds. All programs last 1 to 12 weeks and include Arabic language courses. Interns can also combine other programs as part of their stay if they so want.
We strongly encourage the following internship options for those interested in the Palestinian refugee crisis:
| Internship in Palestine Program (1-3 months) | Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship |
| The Palestine and Israel in Context Program | Human Rights Program in West Bank |
| Women’s Rights in Palestine Internship Program | Medicine & Healthcare in the West Bank |
| Teach English in the West Bank internship | Volunteer & Study Arabic in Palestine |
| Volunteering with Palestinian Children in the West Bank | Volunteer in Local Schools in Palestine |
| Teach for Palestine Program (2-3 Months) | Volunteer in a Journalism Program in Palestine |
Other Ways to Help
However, if education is not your forte, there are a plethora of ways to work with refugees in Palestine. For example, interns can also arrange CV/resume writing seminars, arts and crafts workshops, cultural exchanges, and athletic events. Further, interns can introduce their expertise.
Interns in the programs can offer a variety of services to refugees. For example, doctors or nurses can provide medical aid while also assisting other local medical NGOs in their efforts to aid refugees. Interns with specific expertise or a background in the performing arts can arrange concerts and other live acts. The Center has previously collaborated with interns to stage live music venues and even circus performances.
Additionally, interns will attend three hours of Arabic classes each week. These workshops aim to provide interns with the opportunity to connect with Palestinians. Participants’ eagerness to learn Arabic often simplifies engaging with local Palestinians, and sharing items is often a sign of good diplomacy.
Participants will also get the opportunity to visit refugee camps and historical landmarks. They will gain a better grasp of Palestine’s present political predicament.
Summary
Through Intern in Palestine, you can help local Palestinian refugees in several ways and in areas where there is a major need. The Palestinian Refugees Internship Program needs interns. For people who are passionate about human rights and supporting the cause of refugees in the West Bank while actively engaging with local Palestinians, the Palestinian Refugees Internship Program is the perfect fit. Participants will go to refugee camps, cooperate with humanitarian and human rights organizations, and provide refugee children with an education.
Participants will also get Arabic language and cultural immersion while living in Hebron. This way they will learn the language, also while living with a native Palestinian host family. The Palestinian Refugees Program is an excellent place to begin if you want to help the cause of Palestinian refugees and humanitarian relief. Feel free to get in touch with us through email or on social media if you have any questions.
How to Apply
If you are interested in participating in our Palestinian Refugees Program, please write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We should respond to your initial inquiry within 1-2 business days.
In the subject line of your email write “Interning with Palestinian Refugees.” Upon responding we will attach an application form which you will fill out. Then, return to us to begin the onboarding process. We hope to hear from you soon!
