About Us
AMIDEAST'S Roots
Established in 1951, America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) is a private American nonprofit organization engaged in international education, training, and development assistance work.
Based in Washington, DC, it has approximately 25 field and project offices in 12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa and more than 600 dedicated professional staff working with international, regional, and local partners on the ground.
AMIDEAST provides programs and services to improve educational opportunities and quality, strengthen local institutions, and develop language and professional skills for success in the local and global economy.
Committed to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST offers education abroad programs for Americans interested in learning more about this important region.
AMIDEAST'S Mission
"Strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa."
Where Does Education Abroad Fit?
Building on AMIDEAST’s mission of strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World help develop mutual understanding through programs for young people to study the Middle East and North Africa, improve their Arabic language skills, and interact with the peoples and cultures of the region, especially local families, organizations, and students. At the same time, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs strive to develop students’ intercultural and global competence and provide students with safe, secure, and healthy living and learning environments. The programs are academically rigorous, intellectually free, personally challenging, and focused on intercultural learning.
About AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World
For more than two decades, AMIDEAST field offices have assisted U.S. colleges and universities and other study abroad organizations with their programs in the region.
In 2007, AMIDEAST launched its Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World, beginning with a semester program in Rabat, Morocco. In 2009, AMIDEAST added a summer Intensive Arabic Program in Rabat, a summer Learn & Serve Program in Tunisia, and semester/academic year programs in Cairo, Amman and Kuwait. In 2010 a summer Intensive Arabic Program in Amman was added an in 2011 a summer program on Peace and Conflict Resolution in London and Amman (jointly with the Foundation for International Education in London). In 2012 new programs include a Summer Intensive Arabic Program in Cairo, a summer Learn & Serve Program in Cairo, and a Regional French Studies Program in Rabat.
In the summer of 2013 we look forward to launching four new summer programs: a Traditional Islamic Art Program in Amman, a History of Engineering Program in Cairo, a Contemporary Egyptian Politics Program in Cairo, and a Learn & Serve Program in Oman.
Guided by an Arabic Language Advisory Board and an Academic Consortium that represents a cross-section of U.S. higher education, AMIDEAST's programs are designed to provide excellence in Arabic language study and area studies. Programs also include ample opportunities to interact with local university students and to reflect on the intercultural encounters in structured settings.
For more than two decades, AMIDEAST field offices in the Middle East and North Africa have supported study abroad programs organized by U.S. colleges and universities and by provider organizations such as the School for International Training and Council for International Educational Exchange. Institutions that AMIDEAST has assisted include:
- Brigham Young University (Jordan)
- Carleton College (Morocco)
- Colorado College (Jordan and Morocco)
- George Mason University (Morocco)
- Grand Valley State University (Jordan)
- John Jay College of the City University of New York (Morocco)
- Norfolk State University (Egypt and Morocco)
- Stonehill College (Egypt and Tunisia)
- Swarthmore College (Syria)
- Texas A&M University (Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia)
- University of Maryland, College Park (Morocco)
- University of Virginia (Morocco)
- University of Washington (Morocco)
- Westfield State College (Morocco)
- Vassar College (Morocco)
The AMIDEAST Advantage
AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World provide students with opportunities to study in Arab countries for a semester, academic year, or summer. AMIDEAST also works with colleges and universities to create short-term customized education abroad opportunities in the region.
With AMIDEAST’s more than 60-year involvement with and presence in the Middle East and North Africa, students benefit from the organization’s long-term experience, strong local connections, and deep understanding of local culture. AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs provide students wide-ranging opportunities to interact with local university students and to gain the most from intercultural encounters.
Core Principles
AMIDEAST’s Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World are built on a set of core principles. These principles include
- Instilling in students an understanding of and respect for local cultural norms
- Giving back to the local community through engagement with community organizations and institutions in a variety of contexts
- Acting ethically in all dealings with students, faculty, staff, local and U.S.-based academic partners, and the community in which programs take place.
Furthermore, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs are
- student centered
- designed to serve small cohorts of students in order to assure quality student support, valuable discussion, and opportunities to interact with peers in the host society
- structured to maximize students’
- achievement of greater Arabic language proficiency
- knowledge of the host country and region, and
- intercultural learning through ethical and informed engagement with the host culture.
Program Components
While each program has its own unique style, heavily influenced by the national and local characteristics of the country and city where it is located, all AMIDEAST programs include the following distinctive features.
Pre-Departure PlanningStudents will receive extensive pre-departure information from AMIDEAST's Washington D.C. office. |
In-Country OrientationIn-country orientation covers cultural adjustment, program components, academic advising, goals, expectations, safety, survival language instruction, and host city exploration. |
Study EnvironmentCourses are taught in a US format by local faculty. They generally are held in AMIDEAST's local facilities with other students on the program. |
Content CoursesOn semester programs, students choose 2-4 content courses from a wide range of disciplines. |
HousingEgypt: AMIDEAST student apartments Jordan: Host family or AMIDEAST student apartments Morocco: Host family or Moroccan Residence Hall |
Language
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Dialogue SessionsAMIDEAST coordinates dialogue sessions between its students and peers from local universities. |
StaffAMIDEAST programs are supported by a well-trained and diverse staff of American and host country nationals. |
Customized Programs
AMIDEAST has worked with colleges, universities, secondary schools and nonprofit organizations to facilitate their educational programs in the Arab world for nearly three decades. AMIDEAST’s knowledgeable field office staff works with partners to help design programs and to identify speakers and site visits appropriate for the program theme. Field office staff also can make logistical arrangements for programs, including local transportation, housing and meals, and excursions/field trips. Please visit the AMIDEAST Abroad website for more information.
Transcripts and IoR
After completing the program, students receive an official AMIDEAST Grade Report which documents letter grades and credit received. Another copy of the grade report is sent to the student’s university. Alternatively, students can request (for an additional fee of $350) a transcript issued by AMIDEAST’s Institution of Record (IoR), Northeastern University. Should a home institution advisor indicate that a transcript from the IoR is required, the student or home institution will be billed for this fee. Academic year students are charged this fee only once.
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