Success Stories

The camp was an enriching experience for the students. Through workshops and other activities, they improved their English proficiency and focused on leadership development, team building, and community service. They had a blast strengthening their SFT community by working together to complete a series of games and fun activities!

Amideast’s Skills for Success program is designed to strengthen the employment prospects of recent graduates by improving their proficiency in workplace English and equipping them with personal and professional skills that facilitate their entry to the job market. In addition to 120 hours of English language instruction and training in computer/IT and professional skills, the program includes a transition-to-work component of supplemental English training, TOEIC test preparation, entrepreneurship awareness, or internships.

Rise is the anchor program of a broader $1 billion philanthropic commitment from Eric and Wendy Schmidt to identify and support global talent. It is premised on the idea that brilliance can be identified in youth by ages 15–17, according to Schmidt Futures co-founder Eric Schmidt.

The Boeing-supported STEM Center at Amideast/Egypt is introducing innovative programs that foster creativity and critical thinking skills, as well as knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Since it was established a year ago, the STEM Center has engaged more than 180 children and youth in diverse STEM-learning activities that include robotics, graphic design and animation, 3D printing, coding and web development made possible through program support from Boeing.

Noor Abu Rabie, from the West Bank city of Nablus, graduated from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication with a double major in journalism and cinema studies and a minor in legal studies. Noor joined the honor’s program of the School of Journalism and Communications, which she says helped her develop analytical, critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

Meet Majd AlAfrange, Fedaa Alsoufi, and Hasan Alsheikh, Palestinian refugees who have lived in Gaza their entire lives. Despite the emotional trauma of witnessing four major attacks on Gaza in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021, they excelled academically and took advantage of the opportunities available to them to reach higher. For Majd and Fedaa, a pivotal opportunity was the English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program, which helped them improve their English and develop critical thinking and leadership skills.

Launched in April 2021, Qisasna is Amideast’s first program to receive funding from the Stevens Initiative, an international effort that aims to build global competence and career readiness skills for youth in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the initiative focuses on growing and enhancing the field of virtual exchange.

In 2021, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program, Amideast announced a special edition of the ACAG program. Seven past ACAG recipients from Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, and Yemen were selected to implement a new round of ACAG projects in diverse areas such as public health, STEM education, community planning, English language teaching, and creative expression through the arts – with a focus on providing this enrichment to underserved communities.

Aptly called Skills Building of Rhamna Youth, the program integrates social innovation and “Learning by Doing” into its approach. 

During its first year, all 218 youth selected to participate—nearly two-thirds of whom were women—had opportunities to receive training in soft and life skills, English and French used in the workplace, digital literacy, and job-search skills. 

Launched in late 2020, the two-year Skills for Tomorrow (SFT) program is equipping 105 girls and boys ages 13–15 with English language, leadership, computer, and soft skills they need to access scholarships and study abroad opportunities, compete in global job markets, and engage in civic life with confidence and self-awareness.