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Finding an Opportunity

A World Awaits You. A journal of success in international exchange for people with disabilities. Muslim World Issue. April 2006.

The following programs offer opportunities for high school and college students, and professionals to participate in academic, language, cultural immersion and community service programs in Muslim countries and in the United States.  Many organizations offer scholarships for participants, including scholarships targeted at people with disabilities and people from other minority backgrounds, so be sure to ask if scholarships are available.  Many of the organizations listed also offer a myriad of programs in other countries and world regions.  This list is far from comprehensive.  To learn about other programs, visit some of the websites and organizations listed below.

Exchange Programs

For U.S. High School Students:

In partnership with AMIDEAST, AYUSA offers U.S. youth an opportunity to participate in a four-week exchange in Cairo, Egypt on the Linking Individuals, Knowledge and Culture program (LINC).  Participants on the LINC program live with host families, participate in community service projects and visit cultural landmarks. The program focuses on the development of conflict prevention and management skills.  No prior language study is required.

AFS Intercultural Programs offers exchanges for high school students in Egypt, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Turkey.  AFS has extensive experience accommodating participants with a range of disabilities.  Students can participate in summer, semester or academic year programs with cultural, study, homestay and community service options.

 

For U.S. College Students:

  • Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
    300 Fore Street, 2nd Floor
    Portland, ME 04101 USA
    Tel: (800) 40-STUDY or (207) 553-7600
    www.ciee.org

CIEE offers academic semester and academic year programs for U.S. university students in Jordan and Turkey.  Students have an opportunity to take courses in English while studying the local language, Arabic or Turkish.  No previous language training is required.  Students may choose to live with homestay families in Jordan, and both programs offer volunteer and internship opportunities in the local community.  CIEE welcomes applicants with disabilities and encourages them to apply.

  • School for International Training (SIT)
    Kipling Road, P.O. Box 676
    Brattleboro, VT 05302 USA
    Tel: (888) 272-7881 or (802) 258-3212
    E-mail: studyabroad@sit.edu

SIT offers summer and semester programs for U.S. university students in Morocco.  Morocco provides unique opportunities to examine Islam as a religion and a system of thought, to study the Moroccan political system and monarchy, and to investigate current development issues.  Students travel from the capital of Rabat to the coastal and Saharan towns of Marrakech, Zagora, and Essaouira, as well as to rural Moroccan communities, gaining an in-depth understanding of Moroccon society.  SIT also offers programs in Oman, Jordan, Indonesia and India.

  • American University in Cairo
    For study abroad students:
    The American University in Cairo
    Office of Student Affairs
    420 Fifth Avenue, Third Floor
    New York, NY 10018-2729 USA
    Tel: (212) 730-8800
    Fax: (212) 730-1600
    E-mail: aucegypt@aucnyo.edu

The American University in Cairo (AUC) offers a study abroad program for students at colleges and universities across North America and around the world.  AUC’s Arabic Language Institute offers full-time intensive programs, beginning three times each year, that range in length from an eight-week summer program to one or more years.  Assistance to students with disabilities is now provided through the international students office.  AUC’s new campus, scheduled to open in summer 2008, will feature improved accessibility for students with disabilities.

  • Benjamin Gilman Scholarship Program
    Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
    301 4th Street SW Room 234
    Washington, D.C. 20547 U.S.A.
    Tel: (202) 619-4360
    Fax: (202) 401-5914
    E-mail: academic@state.gov
    Web: http://exchanges.state.gov

Benjamin Gilman Scholarship Program provides need-based study abroad scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students to study in countries worldwide, including the Muslim World, specifically targeting students with financial need.

 

    For U.S. Graduating College Seniors, Graduate Students, Teachers, Scholars and Professionals:

    • Fulbright Programs for Students, Scholars and Teachers

    Fulbright programs offer opportunities for U.S. graduate students, scholars, senior specialists and teachers to study abroad, lecture and/or conduct research overseas.

    For detailed information about each of the Fulbright programs, please visit the NCDE Muslim World Initiative site or the U.S. Department of State at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright/.

    • Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO) Progam

    The IARO Program provides fellowships to US scholars and professionals for overseas research on contemporary political, economic, historical or cultural developments relevant to U.S. foreign policy.  Limited funding is available for non-policy-relevant topics. IARO is funded by the United States Department of State Title VIII Program and the IREX Scholar Support Fund

    For information and application procedures, visit the International Research and Exchange (IREX) Board website at www.irex.org/programs/iaro/index.asp.

    • Policy-Connect Collaborative Research Grants

    The Policy-Connect Collaborative Research Grants Program supports cutting-edge collaborative research on specific topics and regions each year.  Upon completion of the project, scholars will be requested to present their research findings at a Policy Forum at the United States Department of State and to write a short policy paper.  Grants are awarded for research in the following countries:  Algeria, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Gaza and Yemen.

    For eligibility requirements and application procedures visit the IREX at www.irex.org.

     

    For High School Students from Predominantly Muslim Countries:

    • Partnerships for Learning-Youth Exchange and Study (YES)

    The Partnerships for Learning-Youth Exchange and Study is a program sponsored by U.S. Department of State to provide scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. The students live with host families, attend school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures. High school students with disabilities encouraged to apply!

    Application: Deadlines and procedures vary from country to country. Please visit AMIDEAST at www.amideast.org for application forms and details for:

     

    For Graduate Students from Predominantly Muslim Countries:

    • Fulbright Student Fellowships

    The Fulbright Student Fellowships provides two years of funding for exceptional university graduates to pursue a graduate degree at universities throughout the U.S. People with disabilities encouraged to apply.

    For information, deadlines and application procedures for students in Muslim countries, visit the U.S. Department of State Fulbright website

     

    Publications

    • Advisory List
      Council on Standards for International Educational Travel
      212 S. Henry Street
      Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
      Tel: (703) 739-9050
      E-mail: mailbox@csiet.org
      www.csiet.org

    Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) annually produces a guide to international exchange programs for high school students, titled Advisory List.  The guide lists organizations that meet CSIET’s criteria for high school programs.

     

    Websites

    • Go Abroad.Com offers a database of exchange programs in the U.S. and worldwide.
    • The Institute of International Education website offers a searchable database of educational exchange programs worldwide.
    • The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange has an online database of international exchange programs for students and professionals where you can search by country and/or keyword for a program that interests you.
    • International Volunteer Programs Association has a database of volunteer opportunities in the U.S. and worldwide.
    • StudyAbroad.com offers information for students (college, high school and all others) seeking study abroad, language abroad, intern abroad, and volunteer abroad opportunities.
    • America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST)  is a private, nonprofit organization that strengthens mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa. Each year, AMIDEAST administers educational exchange programs for students and professionals, in addition to English language skills training, educational advising, and testing services to hundreds of thousands of people in the Middle East and North Africa.  AMIDEAST has a network of field offices in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.
    • The U.S. Department of State sponsors programs, such as the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for high school students coming to the United States, the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program for students, teachers and scholoars, the Gilman International Scholarship Program, the Hubert H. Humphrey Program for professionals from the developing world, the Linking Individuals, Knowledge and Culture (LINC) youth leadership program for U.S. high school students, and many others.
    • Mobility International USA (MIUSA) website features an extensive list of publications and videos on international exchange and international development, many of which are available for download free of charge.


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