Exchanges

Leaders for Democracy Fellowships (LDF): January-May

Overview: The LDF program provides young professionals from the Middle East and North Africa with an opportunity to experience prestigious academic programs and internships in the United States.  This four-month program enables 20-30 emerging democratic reform leaders between the ages of 25 and 40, from across the region, to complete both academic coursework and a skill-building internship in their field of choice.  Fellows participate in relevant seminars and workshops, at a leading U.S. university, on key elements of democratic governance, including the development of democratic institutions, the rule of law, political parties and campaigning, and civic education.  Fellows will also engage in a three-month internship with a political, non-governmental, or public policy organization of professional interest.

Deadline for submission of applications: March
Website: http://www.mepi.state.gov/

 

MEPI Study of the US Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders

Overview:  This program provides a unique opportunity for multinational groups of approximately 20 student leaders from the Middle East and North Africa to learn about and discuss values, issues, and institutions that have played important roles throughout the history of the United States.  Participants will live on a U.S. college campus and attend lectures, roundtable discussions, and site visits with academic and civic leaders for six weeks.  The students will meet ordinary American citizens in a variety of cities and towns, engage in local community service activities, and, most importantly, have the opportunity to discover the United States and its diverse cultures for themselves.  Four of the five institutes hosted by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) will be for second-year graduate students, while one institute will be for recently graduated secondary school students, for a total of 100 students each year.     

Deadline for submitting applications:  February
Website: www.exchanges.state.gov

 

Women's Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the U.S. (MEET U.S.)

Overview: This program focuses on empowering women in the Middle East and North Africa to excel in the private sector, by providing skills training, professional networking, and alumni support systems to increase managerial and entrepreneurial leadership.  MEET U.S. assists promising female executives, managers, and entrepreneurs to realize their aspirations to build successful, growing enterprises that will contribute to economic growth and community well being throughout the region. MEET U.S. consists of three types of training programs: 1) a two-week training program for senior executives from a range of industries; 2) a three-week training period for information, communication and technology professionals; and 3) a two-week training session for business services professionals.

Deadline for submitting applications:  Fall
Website: http://www.mepi.state.gov/

The MEPI sponsored Business Internship Program for Young Middle Eastern Women (MEPI-BIP)

Overview:  The U.S. Business Internship Program provides young women professionals from the Middle East and North Africa an opportunity to learn management and business skills, while studying and working in the U.S. business environment for four months.  The program consists of a four-week MBA-level academic program at a leading U.S. university, followed by three-month internships at Fortune 500 companies, law firms, and small-to-medium enterprises.  The goal of the program is to help create a cadre of female professionals infused with experience that only hands-on training, coupled with intensely focused academic study, can provide, while offering a first-hand understanding of American values and culture. Immersion in the American business environment is intended to give these future business leaders unique tools and skills to bring home to their own countries.

Deadline for submitting applications:  May
Websites: http://www.amideast.org/; http://www.mepi.state.gov/

 

Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the U.S. (MEET U.S.)

Overview: MEET U.S. provides professional training, networking, and alumni support systems to increase the managerial and entrepreneurial skills of Middle Eastern and North African businesspeople. The program includes presentations by prominent American educators and entrepreneurs, tours of successful companies, personalized two-day internships, and valuable opportunities to make new business contacts. Its goal is to help promising businesspeople realize their aspirations to build successful, growing enterprises that will contribute to economic development and community well-being in the Middle East and North Africa region. The participation of women is highly encouraged.

Deadline for submitting applications:  September
Website: http://www.mepi.state.gov/; http://www.amideast.org/