Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI): A U.S. Business Internship for Young Arab Women

The U.S. Business Internship Program will provide talented young women from the Middle East unique opportunities to learn management and business skills while working in the dynamic and productive U.S. business environment. This hallmark program, supported by the President’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), will establish substantive internships for skilled, qualified Arab businesswomen in cooperating U.S. businesses. Though a short-term program, its impact will last a lifetime. First internships will begin in Summer 2004.

This MEPI-sponsored business internship program for young Arab women will create a cadre of professionals infused with an experience that only hands-on training can provide. Immersion in the American business environment will give these future business leaders unique tools and skills to bring home and incorporate into regional enterprises -- whether new or existing, large or small. The benefits derived from this program are numerous and long-term. The mutual professional and business relationships forged on the corporate and personal levels will be a platform for the Middle East’s economic future -- a future shaped with American partners.

U.S. Business Internships

• Three- to six-month internships. Each business will place the intern(s) in a U.S.-based office. Interns may also be placed in a Middle East office of the U.S. business (outside of the intern’s home country).
• Two types of internships are available:
  • Management Intern: For participants with no more than five years of professional business experience.
  • Entry-Level Professional Intern: For participants with a university degree in a business related field or a law degree.

Intern Profile (Year One)

• Forty Arab women, approximately 22-30 years old;
• High proficiency in English;
• No more than five years of professional experience, or a university degree in a business related field or law.

Recruitment/Placement

• The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will administer this MEPI program. ECA will provide oversight for the recruitment and placement of interns with U.S. business partners in addition to assuming responsibility for the coordination of an intern’s J-1 visa.
• A U.S organization will publicize the program, recruit candidates, screen resumes, and interview and match candidates with available internship positions.
• Recruitment will be conducted in the Middle East by qualified staff; U.S. business partners or their appointed recruiters can be involved in the recruitment process.
• Finalists will be able to specify industries/legal specialization of interest to them.
• To the maximum degree possible, the program will match the participants’ areas of interest or backgrounds with available internships.

Participant Preparation

• A four-week orientation program for all interns prior to their formal internships will assist with the transition to the United States, its culture, and the business environment.
• At the close of the internship, participants will come to Washington, DC, for one week for a brief wrap-up and career development session on utilizing their internship experience back home.

Program Costs

MEPI will cover the costs of the following:

• Recruitment costs;
• Staffing and administration of the orientation and concluding seminars; and
• Interns’ travel, lodging, health insurance, and stipend for the duration of the program.

The U.S. business will be responsible for such elements as:

• The valuable investment of professional development and management experience;
• A first-day workplace orientation that includes meeting supervisors, assigning mentors, and reviewing the work outline; and
• Assisting with the identification and arrangement of housing (prior to the intern’s arrival).

The U.S. business community is called to accept the challenge to become partners in this exciting MEPI program.

For more information, please contact:

Tammy Wincup U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative 202-647-4709

Robert Greenan U.S. Department of State Educational and Cultural Affairs 202-619-5437

 

The Middle East Partnership Initiative

In his May 9, 2003 speech at the University of South Carolina, President George W. Bush reaffirmed the U.S. Government's commitment to the Middle East through two key essential elements, the Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). MEPI was founded to work with governments and people in the Arab world to expand economic, political, and educational opportunity for all people of the region. The initiative strives to link Arab, U.S., and global private sector businesses; non-governmental organizations; civil society elements; and governments together to develop innovative policies and programs to achieve this mission.

In the economic pillar, MEPI policy and programs support region-wide economic and employment growth driven by private sector expansion and entrepreneurship. A hallmark of this pillar is the establishment of the Middle East Finance Corporation. In the political pillar, MEPI champions an expanded public space and seeks to strengthen democratic processes; promote the rule of law, accountability, and effective government institutions; and strengthen the role of media in society. In the education pillar, MEPI envisions education systems that enable all people, including women and girls, to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in today’s economy and improve the quality of their life and that of their families. For more information about MEPI and specific programs please visit: http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rt/mepi/.