Where Can I Do An Internship In The Middle East: In the world today, job seekers are more often than not required to have experience to get a job (especially in their ideal career), but are often unable to get the experience without a job. This leads to the familiar chicken and egg scenario – which one comes first? One way to get this valuable and necessary experience is by taking an internship.
Internships give you more than just practical work experience; they can also help you decide if your chosen career is right for you and make meaningful connections. Upon completion of your internship, it may even be possible to land a paid role with the same organization you interned with. Taking an internship in a foreign country offers all the benefits of a regular internship, plus the added advantages of experiencing a new environment and developing crucial cross-cultural communication and other competencies.
One area in the world that can be particularly enriching and eye-opening to intern in is the Middle East. It’s a region home to a diverse range of cultures, traditions, and industries, offering interns the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience while immersing themselves in a unique and fascinating environment. While the prospect of interning in the Middle East may seem daunting at first, with careful planning and research, it can be an enriching and fulfilling experience that opens up new career opportunities and personal growth.
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What Type Of Internship?
With a growing economy and a strong focus on innovation, many Middle Eastern countries are actively seeking talented and motivated interns from around the world to contribute to their businesses and communities.
Here, it is crucial to make a clear distinction about which area you would like to work in. The private sector is always the most lucrative, as the remuneration on offer is likely to be higher both for the internships in question AND once you obtain a private sector job. Meanwhile, NGOs are more suited for people who wish to make a difference in the lives of others as much as possible without being tied to politics.
Internships In The Private Sector In The Middle East
As mentioned, internships in the private sector will usually be the best paid – they should really pay at least minimum wage (depending on labor laws in the particular country). Private sector internships in the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia are the best paid due to the affluence of these countries stemming from their great oil wealth. However, this can also make them highly competitive, and you may find it easier to get a private sector internship in the Levantine area, simply because there are fewer prospective interns compared to the Gulf.
Interning With Your Government Or With An Intergovernmental Organization
Your best bet if you’re looking in this area is probably to look at internships with local embassies from your home country. Alternatively, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related departments may well have similar programs operating in the Middle East, particularly in underdeveloped countries or countries suffering from war and foreign aggression, where the most significant impact from foreign aid and trade initiatives can be created.
Alternatively, there are the big multilateral organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, which operate in this region. These tend to be very competitive when it comes to applying, even for internship roles, so you may need a lot of experience and/or the right connections to realistically expect to be accepted for an internship.
Internships with NGOs
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) tend to operate on much lower budgets than public or private sector organizations and therefore have a much higher demand for interns and volunteers. They tend to have high-impact, fulfilling work in areas that need it most, and are not subject to the whims of shareholders or national politics.
The major downside to working with an NGO, of course, though, is that the pay is not as good, and often roles are voluntary or internships are unpaid. So while it can be a fantastic experience, it may not be easy to sustain a lifestyle for long purely in an internship role. Many interns moonlight in other capacities, such as teaching English or working in a related field, to earn a bit of extra money to support themselves financially.
Which Countries Can I Intern In In The Middle East?
There are many internship opportunities all across the Middle East, with a wide range of organizations and industries offering internships in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. This gives interns many locations to choose from, so it is good to balance finding the kind of internship role that is beneficial for you with the correct location.
Depending on your preferences for food, weather, lifestyle, and budget, some countries in the Middle East would be more suitable for you than others. Other factors you may wish to consider when deciding on a location include the cost of flights and the ease of obtaining a visa.
Short-Term Summer Internships
Suppose you’re looking for internship opportunities in the Middle East, specifically in Palestine, Israel, or near Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Bethlehem. In that case, we encourage you to intern with us in Hebron during the summer. We offer a unique opportunity to complete an internship, travel, learn Arabic, and make new friends while immersing yourself in a new culture.
Summer interns will get the chance to work on meaningful projects, develop existing skills or learn new ones, and gain practical, real-world experience in a welcoming and energetic environment. In addition to the professional benefits, you will also get to have a rich cultural experience in Palestine. Summer interns will get to learn about Palestinian culture and society, explore the local area, and engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
During your summer internship, we will also take you on excursions in and around Hebron, including to Bedouin settlements (like Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, nearby villages, various local organizations, and the old city of Hebron. This will also enable you to interact with Hebron locals from a variety of backgrounds who are dealing with challenging situations as a result of Israeli occupation.
We have starting dates available all summer long for our 1- to 13-week short-term internships, so you can decide when you wish to participate. This is especially suitable if you are a current student looking for an internship opportunity for the summer, and we can even give you academic credit for your studies.
Top Internship in the Middle East Programs: Overview
Here is a brief overview of the top Internship in the Middle East programs:
1. Palestinian Law and Legal Systems Internship
Palestinian Law and Legal Systems Internship: This legal internship program is ideal for students of law, the social sciences, and human rights, as well as for anyone interested in the Palestinian legal system as it operates in the West Bank. As an intern, you can enroll for a period of from 1 to 13 weeks, year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The Palestinian Law program aims to provide a complete understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.
During the legal internship program, you will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal and religious institutions, as well as legal clinics in the city of Hebron, Palestine. You will witness the enactment of laws, the decision-making process, court rulings, legal negotiations, and mediations in various social settings.
2. Human Rights Internship in Palestine
Human Rights in Palestine Internship Program: Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron offers human rights volunteer opportunities that highlight Palestinian rights and promote personal and professional growth. Students gain experience in international law, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid while enhancing their intercultural and Arabic language skills. Participants will raise awareness about human rights in the West Bank and support local communities through education.
Volunteer in Palestine offers human rights internships and volunteer programs year-round for 1 to 13 weeks, with flexible start and end dates. Participants can learn Ammiya (Palestinian Arabic) and receive three hours of Arabic instruction weekly from qualified teachers. You’ll engage with Palestinian and international NGOs, professors, students, and human rights activists and participate in excursions to refugee camps and organizations, enhancing your academic work and Arabic skills.
3. Internship in the West Bank Program
Internship in the West Bank Program offers international participants the chance to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life and learn about human rights, Palestinian refugee situations, and politics in Hebron, West Bank. The program involves participating in a highly respected community development initiative run by Volunteer in Palestine.
To promote a profound cultural experience, the Center organizes visits to various institutions, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Palestinian governmental organizations, factories, and Palestinian refugee camps in Hebron. This firsthand exposure offers an exciting opportunity for interns to gain insight into daily life in Palestine. The program provides a variety of internships at the Center to meet different interests and career objectives.
Additionally, interns enrolled in the Internship in the West Bank, Palestine program have the option to study either Modern Standard Arabic or Ammiya (spoken Arabic dialects). They can also engage with Palestinian locals, stay with a Palestinian host family, and gain a deeper understanding of the rich Palestinian culture.
4. Palestine and Israel in Context Internship
Palestine and Israel in Context Internship: Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, retiree, or just someone interested in political history, human rights, Palestinian refugees, or the current situation, the Palestine and Israel in Context Internship program is for you! With the ability to hear the opinions of everyday people and understand, grasp, and witness the effects of the conflict firsthand, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain insider knowledge beyond the headlines.
In particular, if you’re a current student of humanities, political sciences, or Middle Eastern studies and looking to frame your knowledge within a cultural context, this internship program in Palestine is particularly pertinent to you as you will explore the occupation in the West Bank as well as meet Palestinian civilians, local human rights activists and families who are subject to Israeli military law.
In addition to these great opportunities, you will also be provided with an Arabic language course tailored to your individual level. With tuition of three hours a week, you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in your surroundings by chatting with local Palestinians, ordering food in restaurants, and more. Therefore, for those looking to enhance their knowledge of Arabic, experience cultural immersion, and conduct political research, consider our program to gain an in-depth, personalized internship.
5. The Palestinian Culture Internship Program
The Palestinian Culture Internship Program: This program is designed to provide its participants with a first-hand view of Palestinian culture, art, history, and industry. Interns in Palestine will be able to explore the beautiful and historic city of Hebron, take day trips to neighboring cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and explore other cultural and historical sites. The immersive internship focuses on how participants can enhance their experience of everyday Palestinian customs, politics, and culture.
This program would be ideal for a wide range of participants, whether native English speakers or not, from students to young professionals and retirees, or anyone interested in Palestinian culture or the politics of the Middle East. The program would also suit university students interested in an internship program (from 1 to 13 Weeks) that would be shorter than the typical semester or quarter system. Through its partnership with the Palestinian Education Authority, Volunteer in Palestine can also provide academic credits to all participants.
The Palestinian Culture internship program offers an excellent opportunity for those interested in learning Palestinian or Levantine Arabic, providing a fully immersive linguistic experience. By participating in this program, individuals eager to learn Arabic will have numerous opportunities to practice their language skills daily with shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and other members of the Palestinian community in Hebron.
6. Intern In Local Palestinian Schools Program
Join the Intern in Local Palestinian Schools Program and make a tremendous impact on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth! Our internship program in Hebron, West Bank, is open to everyone. This is whether you’re a native or non-native English speaker, a student, a graduate, a professional, or a retiree. If you’re passionate about improving local Palestinian students’ English and life skills, this is your chance to join us and make a difference. We’d love to have you on board!
As an intern in the West Bank, you get to visit local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and villages around Hebron. You’ll contribute meaningfully to the West Bank, Palestine, and Palestinian communities here. Furthermore, you will help Palestinian students gain essential skills and knowledge while learning about their culture and way of life. It’s a perfect internship opportunity for anyone passionate about education, Palestinian community development, and making a positive impact in the West Bank.
7. Write Articles About Palestine Program
The Volunteer to Write Articles about Palestine Program is designed for participants with a background and interest in journalism, reporting, and recording in various formats, as well as an interest in telling human stories. This program allows and encourages participants to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture, forming connections with the residents around Hebron. We encourage reporting of the Center to be fair and unbiased, to tell the stories of the people who live in Hebron and the work of the Center.
Whereas media coverage of Israel and Palestine focuses on the ongoing conflict and relationship between the parties, writing articles with our center will allow you to experience and recount the experiences and everyday life of residents and communities. International communication is vital for many Palestinians, who want to feel connected to and recognized by the global community.
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Where Can I Do An Internship In The Middle East? – Conclusion
In conclusion, the Middle East offers a diverse range of internship opportunities across various fields, including banking and hospitality, human rights, and international development. Several intriguing options are available throughout the region, whether you are interested in teaching English in a local community, working with an NGO to promote social justice, or receiving practical experience in a multinational corporation. These internships provide you with the chance to learn new skills, network with successful professionals, and learn more about the history and culture of the area.
The Middle East is the perfect location for anyone looking for a challenging and fulfilling internship experience due to its rich cultural heritage, diverse people, and quickly expanding economy. One great organization to intern with is Volunteer in Palestine, located in Hebron, Palestine.
Volunteer in Palestine offers short-term internships and volunteer programs ideal for students, graduates, anyone taking a gap year, or those seeking a deeper experience beyond the typical tourist visit to Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East. We offer a range of programs so that a variety of people from diverse backgrounds can come to Palestine and apply their skills, knowledge, and passions to have a positive impact on our local Palestinian community as well as on their own lives. Our internships offer opportunities to develop yourself in both personal and professional ways, to enhance your CV, while making a contribution to those around you, and having a memorable time.
We look forward to receiving your application for an internship program with us here at Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron in the near future.
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