Volunteer with Refugees in Germany: This volunteer program is for undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, retirees and anyone interested in volunteering with refugees in Germany. Volunteers in Germany will have the chance to stay with Arabic host families, study colloquial Arabic or German, and experience the German/Arabic culture, politics, and daily life in the city of Halle, Germany. 

Volunteer with Refugees in Germany is a great opportunity for those who want to work with refugees in Germany. This program will give you the opportunity to organize and participate in activities and events for refugees in Halle, Germany.

Many refugees strongly believe in the importance of education to improve their situation in Germany and better integrate themselves in German society. That is why the Excellence Center provides social, educational, and community activities for refugees in Halle. These activities are mainly for young people. As an international volunteer engaging in these activities, you will learn about the refugee situation in Germany, see their living conditions, and come to appreciate how refugees are integrating into a new society.

Volunteer with Refugees in Summer

This volunteer program is ideal for people who are seeking to engage and volunteer with refugees in Germany or Europe in the summer. The volunteer program is suitable for university students who are looking for internships to gain practical experience in Europe and in Germany specifically.

Volunteering at The Excellence Center in Europe in the summer is a unique time because of the number of volunteers from different backgrounds who bond as a family and help the community. It is a rewarding experience to exchange stories and learn from those who have an interest in helping refugees develop their language skills. 

What Will I Do Exactly?

As a participant of the Volunteer with refugees in Germany program, you will do the following:

• Participate in organized activities for refugees, mainly for children and young people. These activities include entertainment, sports and educational sessions. 
• Meet refugees and learn about their situation and their living conditions.

An Excellent Opportunity for University Students

Volunteering with refugees in Germany is an excellent opportunity for university students/recent graduates who are looking to build experience in the human rights field. In this program, volunteers will work with refugees in order to enhance each other’s skills, create mutual understanding, engage in language exchange and make a difference in each other’s lives.

Volunteers with Palestinian Refugees? 

Volunteering with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank is an excellent opportunity for university students/recent graduates who are looking to build experience in the human rights field. In this program, volunteers will work with Palestinian kids, women, and youths in order to enhance each other’s skills, foster mutual understanding, engage in language exchange and make a difference in each other’s lives.

 Volunteers with Palestinian refugees can stay from 1-13 weeks in Hebron, West Bank, they can flexibly choose their starting and ending dates. The center hosts volunteers year-round. Here you may find the link for the volunteer programs in the West Bank with our sister organisation : 

Reviews and Community Awards

The Excellence Center in Halle has been working with the Arabic Speaking community in Halle since 2018, building a positive relationship and developing our lessons to be as effective as possible.

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 by 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 the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. Check out our many great reviews here:

• +542 Reviews on Gooverseas.com
• +100 Reviews (91%) on Goabroad.com
•  Participants’ video testimonials

What Type of Activities Will I be Participating in?

• Educational activities

International volunteers will create and organize activities that are aimed at educating children, as well as adults. These activities include English language sessions that focus on conversation. During these sessions, the emphasis will not be on teaching grammar. We would like those we work with to learn by doing. For instance, by the mean of presentations, games, group work, etc.

• Entertainment activities

The entertainment activities that you will organize and participate in may include musical activities, drawing sessions, sports activities, educational games, and making arts and crafts. Do not worry about organizing these on your own. Our local volunteers will work alongside you to arrange these activities.

Your Impact

Volunteers taking part in our short term volunteer projects in Germany will be responsible for teaching one-to-one conversational English courses to students at the Center. On occasion, volunteers may also teach small groups of students (anywhere from 2 – 5) to help foster class unity and mutual learning. As a volunteer English teacher, you will interact with students face-to-face helping them gain crucial skills for later in life. Students’ age will range anywhere from 11 – 70 years old, as well as come from a plethora of backgrounds.

Most students will be migrants, or the children of migrants, hailing from various countries which have been subject to difficult times. The majority of the families the Excellence Center serves come from various Arab countries such as Syria, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq, but the center is not exclusive, and accepts refugees and migrants from all around the world, including Ukraine. 

Volunteers will not only serve as teachers, but also as cultural diplomats, representing their home county to the community in Halle (Saale), as well as play an important role helping with communal activities meant to increase cross-cultural exchanges. This positive exposure between members of different cultures is how we foster deeper understanding and respect for the many different cultures all around the world.

At the Excellence Center we take quality and equality very seriously, and ensure our teachers are equipped with material from their first day in Germany. The Excellence Center is a place where refugees, migrants, locals, international travellers, volunteers, and professionals can all share a safe space to engage in learning together. While the center is small in size, it offers an opportunity to make a big difference in the lives of others!

Where Does the Program Take Place?

The Volunteer with Refugees program takes place at the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale) city. Halle is a city in the southern region of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. Halle is an economic and educational center in eastern Germany. The University of Halle-Wittenberg is the largest university in Saxony-Anhalt and one of the oldest universities in Germany.

Halle (Saale) has an elegant city center with many green areas and narrow streets to explore. The architecture has been well-preserved, making Halle a lovely place to visit in Germany. In addition, there are many beautiful places to see along the Saale River, which runs through the city. 

Why Halle (Saale)?

Halle is a German city that has received a large number of refugees. This makes the city a very diverse place to visit because of how many different cultures are present within the city. Internationals also add to the diversity. The university in Halle is an educational destination that attracts many international students to Halle.

Refugees, immigrants, and foreigners all contribute to the beauty of cultures found in the city. During your time here you will be able to meet and interact with many different people from many different countries.

Are You Eligible for the Program?

Volunteer with Refugees in Germany is open to anyone between 18 – 70 years old. People from all countries and majors are welcome to join this program. There are no specific degree requirements. All that is required is a willingness to participate.

What Language is the Program Run in? 

The volunteer with refugees in Germany is geared toward English speakers. Further, when navigating through Halle, Germany, students will be required to utilize their German skills to the best of their ability, creating a fully immersive experience.

Volunteer with Refugees in Germany quick information: 

Program’s Fees?

The Excellence Center in Europe charges a fee of 300€ a week. The cost includes:

• A tour in Halle
• Breakfast
• The accommodation
• In-country and Pre-departure support
• Arabic or German classes (3 hours a week)
• Certificate of completion

What Does the Program Include?

Volunteer with Refugees in Germany includes the following:

• Organizing weekly workshops for refugees on educational-related subjects, such as writing resumes and formal emails, teaching employment skills, and developing writing skills. 
• Teaching conversational English to refugee children and adults at the Excellence Center.    
• Organizing interactive activities that could include workshops in painting, writing, handicrafts, film and photography. 
• Organizing activities aimed at providing entertainment for refugee children.
• Helping the Excellence Center staff with administration-related activities, such as writing articles or reports, printing materials for the students, etc.     

What are the Benefits of the Program?

• Volunteer experience abroad. You will engage in and organize several types of educational activities for refugees that are aimed at improving English language skills.
• Experience the hospitality of Arabs and Arabic culture by being a part of the Excellence Center’s educational, social and community activities.  
• The program will give you the opportunity to be in Germany, the European country that has hosted the largest number of Arab refugees in recent years. Most of these refugees have come from Syria and you will experience their culture, and listen to their stories during your time at the Excellence Centre. 
• The program provides you with a chance to visit local sites in Halle city and discover its rich history. 
• On completion of the program, you will receive a participation certificate and recommendation letter.
• Accommodation will involve either staying with a local host family or in a dorm.  
• Receive 3 hours of Palestinian spoken Arabic lessons per week.
• Have the chance to attend cultural evenings and entertainment activities organized by the Center.

What Does the Application Process Look Like?

1. The participant emails the Excellence Center to receive an application.
2. The participant fills out the application and sends it back to us.
3. We review the application with our team.
4. You may be invited to interview on a Skype call.
5. If selected for the program, we will send you an acceptance letter and a contract.
6. You sign the contract and send it back to us.
7. You pay the fees.
8. You are ready to come to Germany and join the program. Welcome! 

Do I Need a Teaching English as Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate?

No, having the TEFL certificate is not a requirement. You will be provided with a teaching manual and materials. This program is designed so that you gain experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language.

When Can I Apply and for how Long can I Volunteer?

This program is open all year-round. You can apply at any time. YOU choose your start and end dates, with a minimum period of one week’s participation and a maximum of three months. There is no deadline before which to apply. 

Getting to the Excellence Center

The easiest way to get to the Excellence Center in Germany is to fly to Leipzig/Halle Airport. It takes about 25 minutes to get from the airport to the Excellence Center via train.

If you are coming from one of the airport in Berlin, then you have two ways to get the Excellence Center. First is to come by bus. You can take a bus operated by companies such as FlixBus or Eurolines. The bus ride takes about two hours. The second choice is to come by train from the Berlin-Central Station. The train ride takes around an hour and a half.

Visa to Germany

If you are coming from a European country that has signed the Schengen agreement, then you do not need a visa to enter Germany. For those who come from countries that are a part of this program, you are permitted to stay in Germany for up to three months.

All other travelers will need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Germany. This visa will allow you to enter and stay in Germany for a maximum period of 3 months (90 days). Please note that this visa prohibits visa-holders from getting a job (even as a freelance) during their stay

How to Apply for the Program?

If you want to join this program, please send an email to: info@eceurope.org  Volunteer with the Refugees in Germany as the subject line. We will then send you the application form.

Conclusion

The Excellence Center serves as a crossroads to help bridge people from diverse backgrounds together and to help the community members and volunteers develop their cultural competency. This volunteering experience with refugees in Germany is a once-in-a-lifetime volunteer opportunity that will challenge what you know about refugees and how interconnected the world is.

By the end of volunteering , you will find yourself more educated about the refugee life in Germany, as well as the difficulties and setbacks often faced. Your students will also have an impact on you whether it be what they share about their journey or what you learn about their native language. 

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