Volunteer in the Middle East

  Egypt

Cairo

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: June 25-August 6, 2008

Description: Spend your summer in Egypt!

Marhaba: Volunteers in the Middle East offers service-learning summer programs for university students and recent graduates. Our mission is to encourage cross-cultural understanding between North America, Europe, and the Arab world while providing meaningful service to communities in the Middle East. Join us this summer in Cairo!

Program 1: Provide educational and vocational training for refugees from primarily African countries who have fled their homes due to war or other disasters.

Program 2: Teach converstaional English classes to young Egyptian adults who volunteer at an Egyptian non-governmental organization which offers programs and services involving Arabic literacy, food and clothing donation, courses for the blind and orphanages for street children.

Highlights: Volunteers will begin the program by participating in a one-week orientation program that will include intensive Arabic, cultural events, visits to the partner organizations, and group reflection.

Volunteers will spend approximately 15 hours per week at their volunteer site and preparing lesson plans. Volunteers from both programs will live together and jointly particpate in orientation, Arabic classes, seminars, cultural activies, group trips and a final retreat. Each program will also meet individually for weekly group dinners   

Volunteers will study Egyptian colloquial Arabic with private tutors who will tailor the class to their level. Volunteers will be divided into three classes: those with no Arabic, those with basic knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), and those with advanced MSA and/or some knowledge of the Egyptian dialect. Program staff will help volunteers to arrange a more intense Arabic study if they wish to take more classes at their own expense.

Throughout the program, staff will arrange seminars with leaders in academia, journalism, or diplomacy to address topics relating to development in Egypt. Additional seminars can be tailored to volunteers' individual interests.

Staff will also coordinate cultural activities throughout the summer. Sites could include the Egyptian museum,m Coptic Cairo, concerts, visits to art galleries, or ther venues based on volunteer interest. Marhaba will also arrange trips to the pyramids at Giza and Saqqara and a weekend trip to Alexandria.

The last few days of the program are reserved for reflection and group activities which will take place at a desert site outside of Cairo.

Qualifications: This program is for undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates. To be considered, please submit your application form and application materials as soon as possible. We will accept applications until the program is full.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 2,600

Experience Required: yes

Marhaba's programs are for university students and recent graduates. We are looking for volunteers with varied backgrounds and skills: a mix of people who have traveled the world and those who need to apply for their first passport, people who have lived in Egypt and those new to the region, people majoring in Arabic, drama and anything in between.

Age Range: 18-25

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Egypt Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2 to 5 in a group

Scholarships are Available. Marhaba is pleased to offer three scholarships of up to $2,000 for volunteers in either Program 1 or Program 2. To apply, please include a letter with your application addressing your financial situation and background, with particular emphasis on what experiences you would bring to the group.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Marhaba: Volunteers in the Middle East's Mission Statement: The mission of Marhaba is to encourage cross-cultural understanding between North America, Europe and the Arab world while providing meaningful service to communities in the Middle East.

Year Founded: 2007