The First Week Of Staying In Hebron: As with any new overseas adventure, our participants may find their first few days or week challenging, very exciting, and much to take in. You will meet so many new people in a totally unfamiliar environment, so it’s natural and normal to feel overwhelmed initially or like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster.
But after that initial adjustment, you will feel much more comfortable and start to have a lot of fun! Hebron is probably very different from what you are used to, but our staff at our center and your fellow volunteers, interns, and students will welcome you and help you feel at home.
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The Day You Arrive
The arrival day for each of our participants will likely be a bit different, depending on the time you arrive and the program you are doing. For example, we have our community breakfast at 10 am, so if you arrive before then, you will join us for breakfast and meet our staff and your fellow participants immediately.
You may also do other activities, such as joining a Palestinian teacher in their English lesson or excursion in Hebron. If you arrive later in the day, such as in the afternoon, you will likely be able to just relax for a while.
Going To Your Accommodation
Sometimes during the day, in the afternoon or evening, a staff member will take you to your accommodation, whether with a host family, in private, or in our male dorm. If you are staying with a host family, they may pick you up from our center. Otherwise, we will drive you there and introduce you to your new host family. You will then usually spend your first night getting to know your host family, or for men in the male dorm, you will get to know your new roommates.
Adapting To Your New Surroundings And Getting Settled
If you have just arrived in Palestine or Hebron for the first time, you probably have many questions to help settle yourself. You probably want to know where and how to get a Palestinian sim card, where you can find a good ATM, where the supermarket is, which cafes are the best, etc. While we have a lot of information about Palestine and Hebron on our website, your fellow international participants are also a great source of information, as they have also wondered the same things themselves.
Sometimes, there is no one right answer for certain queries, such as which cafe is the best because there are so many in Hebron, and it can really depend on what you like to drink. But your fellow participants can certainly tell you which ones are their favorite. Our Palestinian staff are also available to help you and answer your questions.
Lots Of New Names And Faces
One of the best things about Engage in Palestine is the wonderful mix of international participants we host worldwide and our Palestinian staff. It can be a little overwhelming when you have many new faces and names to remember, but don’t worry; with time, you will get to know everyone! It can feel a little intimidating if you aren’t used to meeting so many new and different people, but just go easy on yourself and take this chance to build your social skills whenever you’re ready.
Getting To Know Your Fellow Volunteers, Interns And Students
Our community breakfast each morning is a great chance to meet and chat with your fellow participants over delicious Palestinian food. You will also have chances to get to know each other on the tours and excursions we organize and during your specific program’s activities. You will also have some free time in your schedule during your day at the center to chat and hang out, and our participants often arrange to eat dinner together or go to a cafe in the afternoons or evenings.
Starting Your Arabic Lessons
Generally, if you join us at Engage in Palestine to study intensive Arabic with us, you will start your Arabic lessons the day after you arrive. Your arrival day is to get settled, and you can also check your Arabic level to see if you have studied it before. If you volunteer or intern with us, you will start your 3 hours of Arabic lessons sometime in your first week.
Preparing Before Your First Lesson
If you have previously studied Arabic before, you may want to refresh your memory a little before your first lesson with us. Otherwise, you can prepare yourself by ensuring you have a notebook (or paper to write on) and some pens or pencils. Any other learning materials we provide. Some of our Arabic students like to visit the Danis bookstore on Ein Sara Street and purchase a Palestinian Arabic – English dictionary or other such materials.
If you have arrived without a notebook or any writing instruments, you can find them at a stationary store on Ein Sara Street, but you are unlikely to find them in a regular supermarket.
Your First Weekend
The weekend in Palestine is Friday and Saturday, which is when most of our participants have their two days off. (Although for some programs, the days off might be Friday and another day.) Most of our volunteers, interns, and intensive Arabic students arrange to travel together in small groups to nearby cities over the weekend. Depending on when you have arrived and how you feel, you might like to join your fellow participants on a weekend trip, or you may wish to stay at home, rest, and ease into your new surroundings and routine.
The Weekend In The West Bank
If you spend your first weekend in the West Bank, note that most things will be closed on Fridays during the day. Supermarkets, some food places, and other necessities will usually be open on Fridays but will close for a short pause or a few hours in the middle of the day due to the Jum’ah prayer. The Jum’ah prayer is the Friday congregation prayer that is very important in Islam, so you will notice that the streets are extremely quiet during this time.
It’s also worth noting that smaller taxis inside Hebron that can usually be shared along a main route cannot be shared on Fridays, so you must pay the private fare. If you wish to take a shared taxi to go away on your first weekend or any Friday, make sure you catch one before 10 am because, after this time, they will generally stop running sometime after the Jum’ah prayer.
The Weekend In Israel
If you go to an Israeli city on the weekend, it will be greatly affected by Shabbat (the Sabbath), which starts on Friday afternoon and lasts until Saturday night. This means there will be no public transportation in the city, and most things, except for some non-kosher businesses, will be closed. While it is still possible to find taxis, you will generally more for a taxi during Shabbat.
Don’t Hesitate To Ask For Help!
Don’t be shy in asking for help! It’s normal to need help; humans aren’t supposed to know everything and do everything themselves. It can feel a bit intimidating, especially if you’re not used to having to ask people you don’t know or don’t know very well for help, but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
Even when you are outside of our center, Palestinians are mostly very helpful and friendly people, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you get lost. Our Palestinian staff are also here to help you, and your fellow volunteers, interns, and students can also be a great support network.
Final Thoughts
Your first few days or week with us at Engage in Palestine can be a lot to take in, so it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but be patient with yourself and allow some time for you to adapt. You will soon find you feel very at home and are having a wonderful time. Our Palestinian staff are always here to welcome you and help you, and your fellow volunteers, interns, and participants are also a great source of support and friendship.
