The MIT-Arab World Program empowers MIT students and faculty to collaborate with partners in the region to solve some of today’s most pressing challenges. The program is developing student opportunities in the following locations: Jordan; Bahrain; Egypt (when U.S State Department guidelines allow); Palestine (limited opportunities); and the U.A.E. This list may expand in the future. Opportunities are available in Morocco and Tunisia via MIT-Africa.

Program Opportunities

Internships

MISTI’s award-winning international internship program provides a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience for MIT students: the opportunity to gain real-life work experience in leading companies and labs around the world. Best of all, all expenses are paid, including airfare.

The MIT-Arab World Program matches MIT students with internship and research opportunities at leading companies, research labs, and universities in specific countries in the region. Students complete intensive training prior to their internships, including Arabic language instruction and courses on the history, politics, and culture of the host country.

The MIT- Arab World program is currently not placing students for research and internship opportunities in the region.

  • Students must have a minimum of 4.0 GPA
  • Students must take a course on the Middle East

Course Requirements:

  • WGS.220: Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa 
  • 21H.160: Islam, the Middle East, and the West
  • SP.258: Middle East Cross-border Development and Leadership

Language: Arabic language background is required

  • Prior to the internship, at least one year of Arabic studies, with plans for an additional year upon return. Potential for online language classes funded by MISTI prior to the internship is an option

Learn more about Arabic studies at MIT.

The MIT- Arab World program is currently not placing students for research and internship opportunities in the region.

Applications for Summer 2023 can be found on the MISTI Portal. First begin by filling out your Launchpad Application.

  • Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – Dec 1, 2022
  • Interview with Country Program Coordinator* (interviews will begin no earlier than Oct 15, 2022)
  • Complete MISTI MIT-Arab World Application-  Dec 15, 2022
  • Notification of acceptance into MIT-Arab World Program- By Dec 22, 2022
  • Commit to MIT-Arab World Program – By Jan 2, 2023
  • Internship matching process – January to March
  • Mandatory Pre-Departure Sessions – Late March to Early May

How to Apply

Global Teaching Labs

Learn through teaching. GTL challenges MIT students to synthesize and present what they know, work in a team, and communicate with peers of a different cultural background, all while sharing MIT's unique approach to science and engineering education with high school students around the world. GTLs are often thematic and offered in several country options per IAP.

Through the MISTI Global Teaching Labs program, MIT students become teachers for one month over IAP in January. Students have the opportunity to travel to specific countries in the region to teach a variety of subjects, including a variety of STEM topics, entrepreneurship and leadership, and 3D printing. Students bring MIT’s unique and exciting hands-on teaching approach to high school classrooms.

To be eligible to participate, students must have a minimum 4.0 GPA, submit a MISTI application and complete an interview.

Students will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Knowledge of subject matter
  • Adaptability
  • Leadership ability
  • Communication skills
  • Interest in/experience with teaching
  • Interest in the host country
  • Fit with team/program
  • Oct 2022: selected students are invited to interview after the application deadline.
  • Nov - Dec 2022: mandatory pre-departure training sessions. 
  • Jan - Feb 2023: GTL will run from January 8 to February 2 in Jordan and Bahrain.
  • Feb 2023: mandatory re-entry session upon return to MIT. 

Global Seed Funds for MIT-Arab World

MISTI's Global Seed Funds program supports MIT's global engagement by promoting collaborations between MIT faculty and researchers and their counterparts abroad.

*The Fund is not accepting applications for the 2022-2023 application cycle.

Shoman foundation logo
Panoramic view of the city of Amman

The MIT-Jordan Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Seed Fund

The MIT-Jordan Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Seed Fund supports new collaborations between faculty and research scientists at MIT and their counterparts in Jordan.

Learn more about this fund

Latest News from MIT-Arab World

Meet the Managing Director

Contact Us
Headshot of David Dolev

Get in touch with David Dolev, Managing Director, MISTI programs in the Middle East, Associate Director of MISTI to get your questions answered.