Global Connect

Global Connect

Virtual Exchange Program

Virtual Exchange Program

8 Week Online Course Designed for Highschoolers to Reframe the Arab World

8 Week Online Course Designed for Highschoolers to Reframe the Arab World

Developed with the support of the University of Chicago's Center for Middle Eastern Studies & the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Middle Eastern Studies

DEVELOPED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’'S CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES & THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN'S CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES.

DEVELOPED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES & THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN'S CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES.

  • CHALLENGE THE NARRATIVE

  • RETHINK THE ARAB WORLD

  • SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

FEB 28 - APR 25

90-minute virtual classes,
5PM Beirut Time
every Saturday for 8 weeks

90-minute virtual classes,
5PM Beirut Time
every Saturday for 8 weeks

Start Your Global Connect Journey

Start Your Global Connect Journey

Global Connect Winter 2026:
Enrolments Open

We are now accepting nominations for the Fall 2025 Cohort of our Global Connect program, a virtual exchange for high school leaders aged 14-18.

Who Should Join

The Global Connect program is for ambitious high school students (ages 14-18) with a strong interest in the Arab world’s past, present, and future. If you are ready to challenge your perspectives and develop your leadership skills, this is the course for you.

Why Global Connect?

This is more than just a course; it’s an invitation to join a global community of young leaders ready to make an impact. This program provides the mentorship, network, and tools to help you grow as a critical thinker and a global citizen.

Previous Cohort

Upcoming Cohort

High School Students

Current High School students (Ages 14-18) with an authentic interest in the Arab world’s histories & cultures can participate.

High School Students

Current High School students (Ages 14-18) with an authentic interest in the Arab world’s histories & cultures can participate.

High School Students

Current High School students (Ages 14-18) with an authentic interest in the Arab world’s histories & cultures can participate.

Virtual Exchange

Our students are based all over the world and will join virtually from schools in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and beyond.

Virtual Exchange

Our students are based all over the world and will join virtually from schools in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and beyond.

Virtual Exchange

Our students are based all over the world and will join virtually from schools in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and beyond.

Online Connection

Students will need access to a reliable internet connection and a computer (all work will be web-based, using Zoom and Google Suite Apps).

Online Connection

Students will need access to a reliable internet connection and a computer (all work will be web-based, using Zoom and Google Suite Apps).

Online Connection

Students will need access to a reliable internet connection and a computer (all work will be web-based, using Zoom and Google Suite Apps).

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Classes

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Bookmarks

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Leadership & Career Prep

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Logistics

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Classes

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Bookmarks

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Leadership & Career Prep

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Logistics

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Classes

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Bookmarks

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Leadership & Career Prep

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Logistics

Course includes 12 hours of in-class instructional time.

  • Students have access to 16 hours of optional office hours and 2 hours of individual 1on1 Presentation and Research Coaching.

  • Classes take place every Saturday for 90 minutes via Zoom.

  • Student will explore the Arab world’s histories and cultures with in-class spotlights on photography, music, film and literature.

  • Each student will have the opportunity to produce an original afikra Academy talk by developing their intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills, research methodologies and presentation skills.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Joyce Rafla

Manager of Global Learning & Engagement

Joyce Rafla is a research professional working at the intersection of education, social policy, and systems change.

Her work spans research and program design, with a focus on translating evidence into clear, actionable insights.

Joyce has collaborated with international organizations and education-focused initiatives across the Arab region, contributing to learning frameworks, evaluation efforts, and strategy development.

GET MORE INFO

GET MORE INFO

Receive everything you need to know about this course

  • CHALLENGE THE NARRATIVE

  • RETHINK THE ARAB WORLD

  • SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

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