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); Morocco; Palestine (limited opportunities); and the U.A.E. This list may expand in the future. 

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 courses on the history, politics, and culture of the host country. Currently, internship opportunities in Jordan and Morocco are open for applications, with plans to extend them to additional countries in the region.

MITdesignX Dubai (MDXB) accelerator is the venture accelerator of the MIT Morningside Academy for Design created in collaboration with the MIT- Arab World program (MISTI Arab-World). It is led by staff and faculty from MIT, together with local partners Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DTEC) and Global Growth Hub (GGH).The aim of the accelerator is to jumpstart and deploy new startups in the MENA region in the field of climate change and sustainability and includes opportunities for MIT students to take part in internships in the accelerator ventures.

Apply here for Dubai Accelerator IAP 2024: applymisti.mit.edu

 

 

 

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

Course Requirements:

One of the following courses is required. Other relevant courses taken in previous years may be applicable.

Fall Semester

  • 4.614 : Building Islam
  • 21H.160 : Islam, the Middle East, and the West
  • 21H.381/WGS.222 : Women and War
  • 4.612 : Islamic Architecture and the Environment

* Final project on country of placement is required.

* NO course requirement for the Spring Semester.

*Preference will be given to students with proficiency in Arabic.

 

 

Applications for Summer 2024 can be found on the MISTI Portal. First begin by filling out your Launchpad Application.

  • Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – February 29th, 2024.
  • Interview with Country Program Coordinator
  • Complete MISTI MIT-Arab World Application-  February 29th, 2024
  • Commit to MIT-Arab World Program – By March 5th, 2024
  • Internship matching process – February to April
  • 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: Pre-selected students are invited to interview shortly after application deadline.
  • Nov - Dec: Students selected to participate will attend pre-departure trainings.
  • Jan: Most GTL programs take place during the last three weeks.
  • Feb: Students attend a mandatory re-entry session upon return.

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.

 

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.

Meet the Program Coordinator

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Get in touch with Maye Elqasem, Program Coordinator of the MISTI MIT-Arab World Program, to get your questions answered.

Meet the Managing Director

Headshot of David Dolev

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