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 currently has activities in Jordan and Morocco and aims to expand programing to additional countries in the region. Students complete intensive training prior to their internships, including Arabic language instruction.
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.
- Students must have a minimum of 4.0 GPA
- Students must take a course on the Middle East
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
- Non-native speakers will also take Arabic classes during the internship.
Upcoming Arabic Courses:
IAP 2022
21G.951 Arabic I
MTWRF, 10am-1pm
Spring 2022
21G.952 Arabic II
MTRF, 1-2pm
Open by invitation only to select MIT undergrad and grad students, and recent alumni.
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
Currently there are no GTL opportunities in the Arab World for the 2021-2022 academic year.
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 2021-2022 application cycle.


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 Managing Director

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