Conducted in partnership with the United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program reaches out to businesswomen who have been identified as potential leaders in their country’s private business sector. The program offers a unique opportunity to study and experience the U.S. business culture. Three alumnae from last year’s program have already started new companies.

The program will begin with a three-day orientation session in Washington. The women will then participate in month-long MBA-level academic program at either Emory University’s Goizueta Business School or Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Their studies will include leadership development, marketing, accounting, business law and ethics, entrepreneurship and information technology. After their academic program, each woman will enter a three-month business internship. At the end of their internship, participants will meet with senior State Department officials and Congressional members.

Along with Fulbright, other participating businesses include Boeing, Intel, Microsoft, Verizon and W.W. Grangier.

For more information on the Middle East Partnership Initiative, see www.mepi.state.gov.