Frequently Asked Questions - Traveling & Weekend Excursions

Our program focuses on the life of Palestinians and the impact the Israeli occupation. Thus the majority of the weekend excursions take place in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. We do not take participants to Gaza. Participants will also visit West Jerusalem and other cities within Israel which usually include Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Nazareth. If the program does not plan to visit a desired destination during a participants' session we encourage participants to travel independently but check with Holy Land Trust staff before they go.

Every weekend of every session of PSE has an educational travel day with one over night (2 day) excursion usually to the Galilee. The day long travel days usually include: Hebron, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jericho, and many more. Our program is designed ideally for two month participants. Thus two month participants will be able to participate in two overnight excursions and participate in approximately six other weekend day trips. This means that participants in only a one month session will not be able to participate in every weekend trip possible and may wish to visit some sights on their own.

Participants are encouraged to travel in the region before and/or after the program. Flying to the Middle East is expensive and we encourage people to spend as much time as possible in the region. During the program participants often travel throughout Israel and the Occupied Territories especially during their days off. We do require that participants discuss their travel plans with HLT staff on the ground before adventuring off and then that they follow any instructions or advice that HLT or MEF staff provide.

We ask that participants DO NOT leave the country during the course of the program without the express consent of Middle East Fellowship and Holy Land Trust staff. You can, of course, visit other countries before or after your stay with us, but, for the dates that you are a participant in our program you are our responsibility, so please keep this in mind. Anyone who leaves the country during the Palestine Summer Encounter without express permission runs the risk of being ejected from the program.