The Economic Internship in Palestine Program (1-12 weeks) is designed for those wishing to learn about the most prominent industries that exist in Palestine. The program aims at introducing the participants to the factors producing the prosperity of the industrial sector, the development of sub-industries, and the formation of a cluster society. Special attention is given to the sector of shoes and leather, textiles, and clothing, which impact positively on Palestinian exports.
The Economic Internship in Palestine Program seeks to introduce participants to the commercial sector, highlighting the percentage of commercial contribution towards building the Palestinian economy, particularly in the increase of the gross domestic product. The local commercial market provides various necessary commodities. The program identifies the integrated economic relationship with the economic activities of other countries in order to achieve economic development for Palestine.
The Trade & Industry Program Aspects
This program focuses on two main aspects: Theoretical-Practical & Linguistic-Social :
Theoretical & Practical Aspects
- This program includes field visits through a guide who speaks English to local factories, small enterprises, shops, chambers of commerce and industry, and institutions working in the commercial and industrial sectors.
- It also includes meeting with Palestinian traders and factory owners in order to discuss the commercial and industrial issues faced by the city, as well as the main challenges facing the commercial sector due to obstacles imposed by the current political situation, such as the Israeli occupation.
Linguistic & Social Aspects
- The center will provide you with weekly Arabic language classes and a real opportunity to practice the language with native speakers during your stay in Palestine.
- The program also will provide you with the opportunity to participate in the social, educational, and cultural activities organized by the Center. These activities target children and youth especially, and it seeks to develop their skills in various educational and social fields.
Benefits of the Trade & Industry Program
- Meet Palestinian merchants and factory owners in the city of Hebron;
- Field visits to factories, commercial markets, handicrafts and small projects in Hebron;
- Opportunities to organize workshops or trainings on a topic related to the program or trainings dealing with various others skills, such as academic writing, writing biography, drawing, first aid, theater, music, or other skills that you wish to teach the Palestinian community;
- The participant will engage in the Palestinian community, culture, and daily life.
- Participants will be visiting city historical sites.
- Day Trips to refugee camps in Hebron & Bethlehem and some areas of political importance.
- 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 and staff.
The Trade & Industry Program Fees
325$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
620$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
890$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1050$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1370$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1520$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1790$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 21 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2070$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2300$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 27 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2550$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 30 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2750$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 33 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2990$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
What does the Participation Fee include?
| Accommodation | Host family or at our 8th-floor apartment Private accommodation is available with extra fees |
| Feild Visits/Meetings | To visit factories, commercial markets, handicrafts and small startups and meet Palestinian merchants and factory owners. |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Two 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 |
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 75 years old to apply to the trade & industry in Palestine Program.
- Academic or professional degrees are not required to join the program.
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 |
What is the Application Process?
- First, send us an email asking for the application form.
- We send you the application, 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.
Should I speak Arabic in order for me to join the program?
- Participants 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.
Can I combine this program with another internship program?
Yes, this program can be combined with one or more of the other programs the center offers. This means that you choose for example (one week or more regarding this program & one week or more regarding another one). Don’t worry, you only fill out one application for the combined programs!
Information Regarding the trade and industry in Palestine Program
| Place of Program | Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine |
| Program Fees | Starting From 325$ – American Dollar |
| Age | 18-75 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration of the Trade & Industry in Palestine Program | One Week |
| Maximum Duration of the Trade & Industry in Palestine Program | Three Months – 12 Weeks |
| 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 |
Can I add more Arabic hours to my hours in the program?
Yes, additional language study can be added. Each extra hour costs $20.00. Please mention this in your application.
Can I extend my program duration while I am there?
Yes, interns are allowed to extend their participation period while they are in Palestine. In this case, interns are requested to inform the Center Coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.
When can I apply to the Program?
A participant may apply to the Palestinian Center year-round. Participants decide when they would like to participate, as well as their start and end dates. Since we work year-round, this gives applicants great flexibility in their scheduling.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ 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 |
Do I need a visa to enter Palestine?
The Israeli government requires a visa upon entry into Israel :
- 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 Israel-Jordan border crossing.
- Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.
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 different institutions related to the chosen program, or teaching conversational English to a number of Palestinian students. This differs depending on the program you are joining.
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.
Traveling Solo to Palestine
Traveling to Palestine, whether with someone or alone, is an interesting and once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Safety is always a concern, but with common sense and planning, your travel can be enjoyable, fun, and worry-free. People in Palestine are very friendly, enthusiastic, and eager in helping and talking to people from different cultures and countries.
The opportunities to interact with internationals will make a Palestinian’s day, and, in turn, this will make your trip more enjoyable and interesting. If you are traveling alone, your solitariness will make you more approachable than if you are traveling as a group member.
Do not let your fears and apprehensions paralyze you and rob you of the adventure of a lifetime. Come to Palestine as a solitary traveler and experience its fascinations and beauties. It has been said that “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. Allow yourself to read the whole book – a book you will never forget!
Documents you’ll receive from us!
Important Articles to READ – Please Click to Read
How to apply or receive additional information?
Please email Mr.Tamimi, at info@govolunteerinpalestine.org. Please type the Trade and Industry in Palestine program in the subject line. We will get back to you soon!