Student Opportunities

Current Students

The Middle East Initiative (MEI) is Harvard's principal forum for policy-relevant research and teaching on the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. MEI provides a variety of opportunities and support to enhance students' academic training and help prepare them to meet the policy challenges of today.

January Term Field Study Course

Led by MEI Faculty Chair Professor Tarek Masoud and MEI Senior Fellow Sultan Al Qassemi, DPI-442M: Leadership and Social Transformation in the Arab World will take place in the U.A.E. with potential visits to other Gulf countries. The module will enable students to explore reform efforts firsthand, to place them into their broader global and historical context, and to asses their futures. Through a combination of site visits, lectures by local scholars, and opportunities for engagement with policymakers and practitioners, participants in the course will emerge with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the Arab region, and of opportunities for, and obstacles to, modernization in the developing world more broadly.

J-Term Students

Study Groups

Research and Internship Funding

RA Positions

Each academic year, the Middle East Initiative (MEI) onboards a few Research Assistant positions. If MEI has any positions available, then they will be on the Student Employment Office website. Please contact MEI Research Program Coordinator Marina Lorenzini at mlorenzini@hks.harvard.edu for any further details.

Student-Led Activities

MEI welcomes ideas for student-led initiatives related to public policy in the Middle East. Offering guidance and support, MEI aids HKS students in achieving their extra-curricular objectives.

Prospective Students

Are you thinking about applying to HKS? Learn more about the various degrees offered through HKS and how to apply from the Office of Admissions. There are ample fellowship opportunities for prospective students from the Middle East. We encourage you to explore the various fellowships listed below, and contact us or visit the HKS Financial Aid Office to find out more.

Representatives from the Office of Admissions travel to the Middle East frequently to host information sessions on degree programs and fellowships. Follow the HKS Admissions Blog to find out about opportunities near you.