FAQ

Instructor FAQ — Student FAQ — Supporter FAQ

How is MEET different than anything else I will do this summer?

MEET will provide you with a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience while using the skills you have received at MIT to make a positive impact in the Middle East. Together with a dynamic and carefully selected group of excelling MIT instructors you will participate in planning a curriculum program, gain teaching experience and serve as a role model for Israeli and Palestinian students. In addition, you will have a rare opportunity to gain an in-depth and balanced perspective of the Middle East.

The MEET staff is comprised of highly motivated Palestinians, Israelis and Americans that are determined to make your summer an unforgettable academic, professional and social experience.

Should I be concerned with my security during the summer?

MEET follows the US State Department recommendations regarding safety in the region in accordance with MIT’s travel policies. To ensure these guidelines are followed, MEET provides instructors with private means of transportation, staff accompaniment on all trips, and housing in secure locations. Please email info@meet.mit.edu if you have any questions.

What are the dates for MEET summer program?

The dates for the 2012 Summer Program are still being finalized, but will likely run from mid-June to July. The program runs for one month, and preparation of curriculum and instructor workshops will take place two weeks before summer classes begin. Summary feedback meetings and events will take place in the days following the end of the program.

Please email info@meet.mit.edu if you would like to be notified of updates about the program dates or check back here as we regularly post updates to the website.

What will I teach at MEET?

MEET’s curriculum is designed to be hands-on, challenging, and rewarding. Students mostly come into the program with little to no exposure to either computer programming or business skills. As a CS instructor, depending on the year you end up teaching, you may be guiding the students through the fundamentals of Java, Python, and introductory projects, or you may be guiding a team of 6-8 students on a more large scale software engineering project, and trying to teach them good software practices along the way. As a business instructor, you will introduce the students to fundamentals of business, marketing, management practices, and entrepreneurship through a curriculum consisting of lectures, case studies, and competitions. In both cases, MEET depends on the expertise and enthusiasm of the instructors to effectively deliver the curriculum. For more information, please see the job descriptions or former projects that the students have worked on.

Who can apply to be a MEET instructor?

We are looking for highly motivated MIT undergraduates, graduates and alumni who have a passion for teaching and using their skills to make a difference in the world. For CS instructors, opportunities are available for applicants with knowledge of Java and Python programming as well as advanced topics, web development, software design, and project management. For business instructors, applicants should have formal exposure to business and marketing fundamentals, with real world experience at a job or internship strongly preferred.

In addition, all candidates should:

  • Be MIT students or alumni.
  • Have experience in teaching or working with youth.
  • Work well in teams.
  • Have a passion for making a difference.

How are MEET students selected?

MEET Students are carefully selected from Israeli and Palestinian high schools in the Jerusalem area. The selection process includes multiple stages including a written exam which tests the applicant’s level of English, general knowledge, and motivation; and a personal interview. The program does not require previous knowledge in computer programming.

How much does it cost to study in MEET?

Upon acceptance, and after committing to participation, MEET students receive a full scholarship which covers all costs of the program, including tuition, teaching materials, transportation, and food for a full year of the MEET experience (valued at $5,000). The students are not expected to pay for any of the MEET activities.

What are the requirements for applying to MEET?

MEET students:

  • are on average 14 to 15 years of age.
  • come from the Jerusalem area;
  • have strong academic credentials;
  • have a high level of spoken and written English;
  • need not have prior knowledge in programming, but enjoy computers and understand the important role technology can play in our world;
  • need to be highly motivated and committed to gaining skills, knowledge, and utilizing these to make a difference in their communities and in the world around them.

What will I get out of my experience in MEET?

MEET gives you a rare opportunity, an experience of a lifetime. It brings MIT to you, allowing you to learn at the highest level, with the best, most experienced teachers. It provides you with high level computer science and leadership skills. MEET gives you access to the world of high tech, business and leadership all in a positive, safe and enriching environment. Through MEET you will learn from, and have personal access to top business and academic leaders. Most importantly, by participating in MEET you will encounter top students from all over Jerusalem and from diverse cultures and backgrounds – young leaders like yourself who you may one day partner up with to change your community and maybe even the world.

Who is the typical MEET student?

MEET looks for students who have a strong academic background and leadership experience. They must have the commitment and academic prowess for the rigorous MEET course, and also demonstrate that they have been active in their schools and communities and thus can pass on what they’ve learned at MEET. MEET students are curious to learn not only about computers but also about different cultures and each other.

How do I support MEET?

An investment in MEET is an investment in the future leaders of the Middle East. MEET supporters contribute to MEET success in diverse ways – with their experience, their services and their capital. Should you decide to join the distinguished group of the MEET supporters please click here to learn more about making a donation.

If you would like to help and support MEET in any other way other than a financial contribution please contact us.

How does MEET’s program impact the Middle East?

MEET has developed a Theory of Change that guides how we plan, implement and improve our programs. We derive the program’s activities from MEET’s intended impact:

“MEET students and alums become leaders in their communities and work towards changing status quo as it relates to the conflict and ensuring a sustainable peace through economic, political and social initiatives. MEET inspires hope in the larger Palestinian and Israeli communities.”

Our 3-year program focuses on project based group work and empowers students with the skills, self-confidence and experience to lead a team, think big and tackle problems in a collaborative way, using technology and business as tools. MEET’s long-term impact will ultimately be measured by our alumni and their actions in the future. Our alumni program offers professional development opportunities and mentoring to help MEET alumni achieve successful career tracks and make a difference. The MEET Venture Lab incubates alumni initiatives and encourages an active network.

How is MEET different from other bi-national programs in the Middle East?

Long-term – MEET is a three-year program. Our students see each other once a week (from October to May) and everyday for five consecutive weeks during each summer. Our students develop mutual respect, trust, and relationships built on a sustained, long-term experience. Our Alumni Program, which includes the MEET Alumni Venture Lab, provides significant opportunities for engagement as a means to achieve our impact.

Local – unlike other programs that bring their participants to locations outside the Middle East, MEET takes place in the region. This enables our students to fully internalize the skills, experience, and perspectives they gained at MEET within the context of the on-the-ground reality of their home environments. In the process, they get to know one another’s narratives and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities on the ground.

Skill based excellence model – MEET students engage in real-world projects, gain practical skills and professional development opportunities that empower them to successfully take on leadership roles at every stage of their careers. Additionally, our focus on excelling young individuals means that MEET students are well prepared to make positive social, economic, and political impact in their communities and region.

What is MEET’s connection to MIT?

MEET was born at MIT. Two of the MEET founders are graduates of MIT and all of the summer teaching instructor team is comprised of MIT students and graduates. Moreover, MEET is supported by a wide range of students, faculty and alumni of MIT. MEET has generated a great buzz and excitement at MIT. We have the support and commitment of Prof. Daniel Jackson, former MIT President Prof. Charles Vest, and Prof. Rodney Brooks, former head of CSAIL.

Who is behind MEET?

MEET is supported by a prestigious network of business and academic leaders from the Middle East, the United States and Europe. MEET is a non-profit and non-political grassroots program that was founded in 2003. MEET puts an emphasis on bringing together the academic and business worlds of the region, with the belief that a positive dialogue in the Middle East will be greatly enhanced by such partnerships. MEET’s programs are run by a highly dedicated team of American instructors from MIT and Israelis, and Palestinians that are determined to help shape tomorrow by empowering our youth today.

Why do you target both Palestinian and Israeli youth?

MEET’s educational excellence model is conducted under the premise that the futures of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples are intertwined. As such, it is necessary for future leaders to develop the skills, bi-national network and leadership experience that will prepare them for affecting positive change in the Middle East. Targeting both Palestinian and Israeli youth, MEET fulfills its mission of creating an active bi-national network of young leaders who are committed to changing the status quo as it relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Moreover, MEET’s bi-national network leverages the professional expertise of leading mentors and companies in the Israeli and Palestinian technology and business sectors.

Why is MEET different?

MEET harnesses the students’ interests in technology creating a process in which mutual respect and understanding comes from working together and accomplishing tangible real-world goals.

  • MEET uses technology to create a common language between Israelis and Palestinians that can be translated into future cooperation between the communities.
  • MEET is an environment in which the pursuit of excellence and creative thinking are paramount.
  • MEET works to sustain participant relationships over long periods of time. The controlled atmosphere of a summer program is an excellent place to start building these relationships, but it is out in the realities of their region in which they must thrive. MEET mentors continue working throughout the year with the students continuing to develop their projects and build on their relationships with one another.

Why is MEET focused on technology?

Technology enables creating a process in which mutual respect and understanding comes from working together and accomplishing tangible real-world goals.

  • The technology focus and the demanding curriculum let the students relate on the professional undermining their differences. The students learn to thrive together as professional team-members to achieve their mutual goals.
  • Allows MEET to attract students with diverse political views from both sides.
  • MEET believes that only a focus on a neutral professional common denominator such as technology can sustain participant relationships over long periods of time.