Are you a member of the medical community? Are you searching for medical volunteer or internship programs abroad? If so then there are healthcare internship opportunities that you can join through Salam Palestine! We designed the Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank Internship Program for all healthcare workers. This includes (but is not limited to) doctors, nurses, medical and pre-medical students, public health workers, and physiotherapists. We need interns spread across the globe with different areas of expertise such as nursing, nutrition, general medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, or occupational therapy. Moreover, if you have a healthcare-centered career or qualification and want to help Palestinians, then we have the role for you!

Healthcare professionals of all educational levels are welcome to participate in our program. It is the ideal medical internship for international students looking for medical volunteer/internship programs abroad. During the Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank program, we will pair you with local professionals such as doctors and nursing students to facilitate a shared learning environment. Here you will work under their supervision and gain valuable knowledge such as information about the Palestinian healthcare system, how Palestinians work in local hospitals, and what students study in medical and healthcare specializations at local universities and colleges. Interning in public health in the West Bank through our program will not only improve your practical skills and awareness. It will also provide you with an excellent opportunity to contribute to an underprivileged society in need of assistance.

Support the Palestinian Healthcare System 

There is no denying that Palestine’s healthcare system has to improve significantly, especially in the hospitals and clinics close to the refugee camps. Many of the camps began as sizable tent cities. However, they have evolved into enclosed concrete places that are congested and lack many public facilities. This makes them frequently unpleasant, claustrophobic, and crowded.

One of the primary issues we face is a scarcity of healthcare personnel, which impedes Palestinian’s access to proper healthcare. With the help of medical and healthcare internships in Palestine, we’re enabled to bring together people with backgrounds in medicine who will contribute to the improvement and growth of underprivileged societies.

Overview

You can help local Palestinian children, teens, women, and refugees through the Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank Internship Program and have a substantial influence on the Palestinian community. Additionally, you can enhance your resume by expanding your clinical, procedural, and cultural skills. Although the scope of medical work depends on your specific experience and qualification levels, you will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and cross-cultural learning with locals as well as other international volunteers/interns at the Center.

Program Overview: 

Location of Volunteer Program:Hebron, West Bank, Palestine
Program Language:English
Volunteering Duration:1-13 weeks
Starting/Ending Dates:Flexible/year-round
Costs:€750 per month
 or €250 per week
Accommodation in Hebron:Palestinian host family

Male dorm

Private (additional fees apply)
Educational Degree:Not Required
Area of interning:Palestinian local hospitals and clinics.

Raise awareness about health 

Organize workshops for Palestinian medical students

Health activities for the Palestinian community

University Credit:Available
Application Deadline:None
Target Participants:Healthcare workers, medical students
, nurses, doctors
, nutritionists
Tel Aviv Airport Pickups:Available (additional fees apply)
Reviews and Ratings:Healthcare workers, medical students
Nurses
Doctors
Nutrition
Others

Who is it for?

This program caters to a broad spectrum of interns including:

  • Healthcare students
  • Nursing students
  • Public health workers
  • Medical students
  • Qualified health professionals
  • Doctors
  • Nutritionists and more

Who can participate in the Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank Program?

Salam Palestine does not discriminate based on a person’s nationality, race, religious affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernible factor.

Furthermore, we have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe including those from: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, 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.

Requirements:

In this program, it is necessary to have the following:

  • Aged 18 – 75
  • Adequate experience or education in medicine or healthcare
  • The ability to communicate in English
  • Patience and enthusiasm
  • An eagerness to learn

But you don’t need:

  • The ability to speak Arabic
  • Travel or work experience
  • To be a native English speaker
  • To be a doctor or nurse or have a degree

Furthermore, we welcome all nationalities and backgrounds.

Your Impact

By applying your knowledge and abilities as a medical professional you can make a big difference interning in public health in the West Bank. You significantly contribute to the wellness of the community when you intern with Palestinian refugees and children. Palestine’s refugee camps have a bad reputation for being congested and uncomfortable. Hospitals and other basic facilities, infrastructure, and services are lacking. You may assist regional NGOs with a medical focus in their efforts to aid refugees in the camps by providing medical assistance or by supporting them as a medical expert.

Intern in the Summer

If you’re a student seeking medical internships abroad to get real-world, hands-on experience in the healthcare industry. The Summer Medical & Healthcare Program is an excellent choice for you. You will interact and intern with Palestinian clinics and hospitals over the summer.

Depending on your preference, your time spent in the program can range from 1 week to 3 months. You will have the opportunity to learn about the most important challenges facing the Palestinian medical sector under the Israeli occupation. You will also learn about the Palestinian refugees, human rights situations, and the Palestinian healthcare system.

A Flexible Program

With your input, Salam Palestine will tailor this volunteer position to best suit your background and abilities. You will be able to freely select the kinds of activities and courses you would like to execute during your stay with us because we are highly flexible.  We are always looking for volunteers; you determine when you would like to begin, and we will plan things accordingly. You have anywhere from one to twelve weeks to volunteer.

What to expect when you arrive in Hebron

You will be greeted at the center and given a thorough introduction during which you may learn about Hebron and the nearby places before choosing a schedule. This covers instruction in Arabic as well as an overview of Palestinian culture.

Our staff will brief you on health and safety procedures, as well as some advice on what to do and what to avoid while visiting, during this orientation. You will also get the chance to meet our team and your fellow volunteers, and we will answer any questions you may have.

We will arrange for you to stay with a Palestinian host family who will assist you in acclimating to society and with any other challenges. This will allow you to become as quickly as possible a part of the Palestinian society and culture. Male volunteers can, however, choose to stay at the nearby Salam Palestine dorm if they so want. More details are provided below.

Ways to Volunteer in Palestinian Healthcare

You can contribute to the healthcare program in a variety of ways, such as by assisting other local professionals in the healthcare system. Depending on your level of expertise, your duties may also involve administering some administrative tasks or providing direct patient care, depending on your knowledge, skill, and experience.

Some examples of how you can help:

  • Plan workshops on various medical subjects and themes for Palestinian university students, such as first aid.
  • Raise community awareness of health issues, among school and university students and other members of Hebron’s general public.
  • Visit local Hebron schools and colleges to teach students about fundamental and public health.
  • Plan free activities at the center where you and other volunteers can give health advice.
  • Connect with local Palestinian medical organizations to plan community health and wellness events.
  • Visit the Departments of Health in Palestine and local clinics, hospitals, and universities to gather information
  • Organize workshops for Palestinian university students studying medicine. 
  • Or activities to your suggestions for further activities

Benefits of Interning in Palestine

Volunteers in our medical and healthcare program in Palestine enjoy many benefits during their stay in the West Bank city of Hebron. Examples include:

  • Living in Hebron and traveling to the old city, the religious sites, and other places throughout your stay
  • Visits to medical facilities in Palestine, including hospitals, clinics, universities, and local institutions and organizations
  • Interactions and networking with Palestinian medical professionals, nurses, medical students, and academics
  • Learn spoken Arabic from native speakers while taking full advantage of the chance to interact with locals (3 hours of Arabic lessons per week)
  • Exposure to daily life in Hebron, Palestinian culture and society
  • Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family or stay in our male apartment
  • Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with an authentic native perspective, including 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
  • A participant’s certificate upon completion.

When can you intern?

You decide when you would like to start, Salam Palestine accepts applications from international volunteers all year long. The start date is up to you. You may volunteer for anywhere between one to thirteen weeks. We welcome you anytime!

Schedule for Interns

Working from around 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday through Thursday with two days off, you will be expected to put in about 30 hours each week. You will get an option of two days off, one of which will be Friday.

At the Center, breakfast is served each morning to the international volunteers. We will expose you to traditional Palestinian dishes like labneh and give you the chance to improve your Arabic. Breakfast is shared with the administrators of the center, volunteers from other programs, and Palestinian teachers. Along with the responsibilities of your program, Salam Palestine will arrange for you to take part in tourist excursions in Hebron. Evenings are usually free, but occasionally we’ll provide optional events as part of our dedication to exhibiting Palestine’s culture.

You will have your Arabic class schedule and time to prepare for any workshops you oversee in addition to your work on the Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank program. Along with that, you can go to other cities during your leisure time.

You might be shocked by how quickly your calendar will get booked up and how rapidly the time will pass.

Accommodation

Male participants may choose to live in a dorm in Hebron or, if a Palestinian host family is available, may do so if space permits. Both situations have benefits, but those who live in a dorm will have more time to get to know the other participants. Due to the dorms’ proximity to Hebron’s city center, you will also have plenty of chances to explore the city with your housemates and have fascinating adventures.

Living with a Palestinian host family is the second choice, largely open to female participants. Choosing this option gives you firsthand knowledge of Palestinian culture, customs, and way of life. Additionally, living with a host family gives you lots of chances to learn about Palestinian culture, including food and family dynamics. Participants living with a host family are also more likely to be invited to family get-togethers and cultural activities, which will ensure a wonderful cultural immersion experience!

We are pleased to assist you in finding housing that meets your needs. However, participants who opt to reside in private accommodations are responsible for their costs.

Program costs and information

Salam Palestine charges 750 euros a month or 250 euros a week, covering the following expenses:

  • Accommodation
  • Arabic lessons, including all course materials
  • Operating costs
  • Breakfast (Mon – Fri) 
  • Various group excursions 

What Language is the Program Run In? 

Although the Volunteer in Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank Program is conducted in English, learning some basic Arabic will be very helpful when interacting with Palestinians in the area.

Arabic Classes for Program Participants 

Every week, a skilled and knowledgeable Palestinian teacher teaches three hours of Arabic to all of our interns and volunteers from across the world. Furthermore, Palestine offers numerous opportunities to interact with people, which will allow you to deepen your knowledge of and practice Arabic. Additionally, you are free to select any dialect of Arabic from the list below that you are interested in learning.

  • Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
  • Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
  • Colloquial Shami/Levantine Arabic (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine)
  • A mixed program between MSA and colloquial dialects 

If you are unsure which dialect to study, we can guide you and help you choose the one most appropriate for your needs. However, they are all beneficial and our teachers are all very knowledgeable.

Awards and Recognitions 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2021 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards from Go Overseas in the categories “best language school”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.” 

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge Salam Palestine’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. Salam Palestine continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. Check out our many great reviews here:

Traveling to Hebron, Palestine 

Salam 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.

How to Fly to Palestine?

The easiest way to get to Salam Palestine is to fly to:

OR:

  • Flying to Eilat airport in the south of Israel and then traveling by shuttle or by taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. However, the duration of the trip can last between six and seven hours.
  • Flying to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then crossing the border to Palestine. However, this takes more time and is more expensive.

Tel Aviv Airport Pickups

Salam 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 (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to us. Additional fees apply and the trip costs about 140 Euro. Please contact our staff if you are interested in this option.

How Do I Get a Visa to Visit Palestine?

Most of our international participants get a tourist visa for three months when they fly to Israeli airports or cross from Jordan to the West Bank.

Generally, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine. But, please refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This is sufficient for participation in Salam Palestine’s programs and to enable you to travel around Palestine and Israel easily.

Safety of Our Volunteers and Interns 

The region of Palestine is perpetually unstable. While there is always unrest and war, the situation sometimes becomes more volatile. Nonetheless, each year millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank, including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities without any safety issues. Palestinians in general are a welcoming and hospitable people and they recognize the politics of a country may differ from its people.  

Since its formation in 2011, Salam Palestine has welcomed over 1,000 international visitors. These visitors have lived and worked in Hebron for weeks or months at a time. Overall, they never faced any threats or safety issues while in Hebron or the West Bank in general.

Moreover, Salam Palestine is situated 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 located near the Center as well.

In Conclusion

Interning in the West Bank is a very beneficial opportunity if you are a healthcare professional or student looking for internship opportunities in healthcare and have a love for human rights. By volunteering, you may contribute to the growth of the Palestinian medical system and help give medical aid. You can meet medical professionals like doctors, medical specialists, paramedics, and surgeons in Hebron hospitals and care facilities by interning.

Due to the occupation, Palestinians confront several difficulties and barriers in their healthcare system. By taking part in the program, you help open the way for the medical treatment they require. This could be by providing hands-on support, planning workshops, or providing training for Palestinian medical professionals.

The internship takes place in the city of Hebron, in the center of Palestine. You can choose to stay from anywhere between 1-12 weeks. But no matter how long you decide to stay, we’ll help you have a delightful and memorable experience both at our center and in this beautiful city.

How to apply for the Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank Program?

If you are interested in participating in our volunteer program in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine please, write to us at Rafat@excellencenter.org

In the subject line of your email write “Medicine and Healthcare in the West Bank Internship Program in Palestine.” Upon writing back to you we will attach an application form which you will fill out and return to us to begin the process.

Other Programs

But if healthcare internship programs abroad are not what you are looking for (or if you just feel like participating in more than one or trying something different instead), we operate a broad variety of volunteer programs at Salam Palestine.  You can choose a volunteer program where you can thrive and make a significant contribution regardless of your hobbies or areas of expertise. These programs cover a wide range, including the arts, sports, refugee care, laws, and justice, education, environmental and humanitarian issues, or just fostering professional growth. Our short-term volunteer programs in Palestine include: 

Volunteering in JournalismVolunteering with Palestinian children
Volunteering in TechnologyVolunteering in Sports Project
Volunteering in Music and ArtsVolunteering in Community Development
Volunteering in Environment and ConservationVolunteering with Palestinian refugees
Teaching English in the West BankVolunteering in Women’s rights
Volunteering in Human Rights

Connect with Us!

For more information, please visit our Excellence Center website.

Volunteer in Palestine

Instagram

Facebook

Watch us on Youtube

Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880

Email: Info@ecpalestine.org