BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (ECA) OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The mission of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the U.S. and other countries by fostering mutual understanding. The Bureau does this through a wide range of international exchanges and training programs, as authorized by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (as amended.) The Bureau works in close cooperation with U.S. Embassies overseas to promote personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, art, and culture in all of its diversity to audiences overseas.

Underlying the Bureau’s activities is the belief that mutual understanding is of vital importance in an increasingly interdependent world; that person-to-person exchanges and training is the most effective way to promote mutual understanding; that international exchanges enhance the effectiveness of the United States in dealing with other nations; and that the exchange of persons and ideas is essential to the promotion of democracy, economic prosperity, international cooperation, and global peace. A major part of the Bureau’s mission is to act as a catalyst for cooperation among hundreds of American private sector organizations engaged on the international scene.

AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, an international not-for-profit organization, believes in the fundamental role of education in fostering positive change for individuals, institutions and societies. Building upon over three decades of regional expertise and development experience, American Councils advances education and research worldwide through international programs that provide the global perspective essential for academic and professional excellence. In collaboration with partners around the world, American Councils designs and implements innovative and effective programs responsive to the cultures and needs of the international communities in which it works.

America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST)
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) is a private, nonprofit organization that strengthens mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa . Every year, AMIDEAST provides English language and professional skills training, educational advising, and testing services to hundreds of thousands of students and professionals in the Middle East and North Africa ; supports numerous institutional development projects in the region; and administers educational exchange programs. Founded in 1951, AMIDEAST is headquartered in Washington , DC with a network of field offices in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen .

Program Timeline

• Application deadline: February 18, 2010
• Notification of program semi-finalists: March 2010
• Semi-finalist interviews in Cairo : March 2010
• Notification of program finalists: April 2010
• Pre-departure orientation in Cairo : July 2010
• Exchange in the U.S. : July 2010 – June 2011

Application Eligibility

• Teach English as a Foreign Language or Arabic as a Foreign Language in a K-12 school;
• Have at least four years classroom teaching experience;
• Have a Bachelor’s degree in education;
• Have English-language proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Possess Egyptian citizenship; and
• Submit a complete application. Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

Program Benefits

• Round-trip airfare to the U.S. ;
• Maintenance allowance of approximately $30,000;
• J-1 visa support;
• Pre-departure orientation in Cairo;
• Two-week orientation in Washington, D.C. ;
• Health insurance; and
• Professional development workshops.

Selection Process
The U.S. Department of State and American Councils will convene an independent panel who will review the applications on the basis of the following:

• Professional and educational experience and achievements;
• Demonstrated leadership potential;
• Flexibility, maturity, and ability to participate in an international academic exchange;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively;
• Demonstrated commitment to the teaching profession;
• Willingness to co-teach in the U.S. classroom;
• Potential for developing long-term linkages between U.S. and Egyptian educational institutions and schools.

Exchange teachers may not extend their program in the United States and are required to return to Egypt after their program concludes in June 2011. Exchange teachers are also subject to the home residency requirement which obligates J-1 Exchange Program teachers to return to Egypt and reside there for two years following completion of their program.

Application Guidelines

• Please submit application materials that include:
• Typed (or neatly hand-written) responses to the application essay questions (please provide as much detail as possible and include concrete examples);
• Professional recommendation (in English or accompanied by an English translation) from a supervisor;
• Applications submitted by fax or e-mail will not be accepted;
• Additional materials (such as student work or hand-outs) should not be included with your application; and
• Materials that require technical equipment (such as audio or videotapes) will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

In Egypt , the America Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST)-Cairo coordinates the application process. Applications should be submitted online or at the following address no later than February 18, 2010:

AMIDEAST-Cairo
ATTN: Teachers of Critical Languages Program
23, Mossadak Street,
Dokki, Giza

For additional information, contact:
Chloe Hanna, AMIDEAST Cairo Representative Office, channa@AMIDEAST.ORG
Hala Alhawary, AMIDEAST Cairo Representative Office, Hal-Hawary@AMIDEAST.ORG