West Bank Travel Forum

Marhabba,

I will be attending Birzeit University in Ramallah, and so I have a few questions:

1. What development-oriented volunteer work is there available in Ramallah (preferable close to the Birzeit area)? I am looking for something involving development or human rights type stuff.

2. I will be there for one year, what is involved (and what are your suggestions) in terms of getting a Visa?

3. What are good areas to live near Birzeit University (by good I do not want to be isolated from real palestinian people)?

4. What is there to do for fun in Ramallah? Where can I meet a lot of Palestinian people? Where can I meet university-aged palestinians? and lastly what is there in terms of a nightlife in Ramallah?

Shukrun!

The university should help you with the visa needed (probably you have to be a full-time student). If not, when you arrive, ask for the maximum length visa you can get, then you'll have to extend it most probably through a special office at Bir Zeit. They also should be giving you advice about where exactly you can rent, or live while you're there. Close is probably better. Fun in Ramallah - check out a nice place called Stones (I hope it is still there) for coffee, drinks, or the absolutely best minty lemonade. There is a music conservatory there with some fun events so you can get to know Arabic music. But there is nightlife, other than this too. Best meeting place for you at first, will be Bir Zeit itself, and their university may start later in the fall. I'm thinking about the volunteer work - how's your Arabic?

Thanks for the helpful reply. I have not yet heard much from Birzeit in terms of visa information, but I'll keep pestering them. And in terms of volunteer work, my arabic is still somewhat elementary (my only exposure to amaiyya is egyptian), but i'll be studying Palestinian colloquial at Birzeit, so i'm sure ill start to pick it up quick. Any suggestions?