By: Nuria Smith

The trip to Hebron and Bethlehem was very intense, interesting and tiring. We visited the Christian Palestinians. It’s a very good idea involve international people in your conflict and the possibility to go to the Nativity church and explore with the Bedouins camp. They were very open and welcomed us very nicely. We spent the night there and woke up early to see the sunrise, which was an amazing experience because it was once in a lifetime.

Hebron was the hardest part of the trip, because Europeans are not used to seeing the army, we think of them as friendly, but in Hebron we had a shocking experience. I felt a little bit scared, but I can’t imagine how locals feel. It was a very nice, but sad to see the closed streets. It looked like it was a nice city, but is now a sad place.

I cannot be more grateful to Zajel International Youth Exchange program for the experience I lived. It was the perfect combination between the voluntary work (teaching the workshop) and the opportunity to discover this beautiful country through local visits and enjoying time with locals.

Actually, I would like to highlight the hard work the local volunteers have done for letting us feel welcome and at home.

Regarding the workshop, it is needed to say the positive attitude of the students was a wonderful experience for me. Now, I can consider them as my Palestinian friends, who I can not forget.

It has been also the perfect approach to understand and know more in depth about the political conflict. I discovered an awesome culture and incredible people including internationals who shared with us their personal experiences. There were some sad moments in the end that allowed me to grow personally.

I cannot finish my reflection without stressing the wonderful trips to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jenin, Ramallah where we felt at home.

I wish you the best for the Palestinian future.