About Hosting
Fellows are placed at businesses, social enterprises, NGOs, incubators and government agencies for a hands-on practical fellowship experience. This portion of the program provides fellows with the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge while also growing their professional network.
Our fellows are working to address the most pressing social issues in their countries and communities; and therefore, they bring substantial experience to their host organizations/businesses. All fellows have shown leadership skills and commitment positively impacting their communities and countries. Our fellows come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, and many can be described as:
What does the program involve?
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) in the Middle East and North Africa links emerging leaders from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia with their American counterparts. This US State Department-sponsored initiative is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders committed to strengthening their communities. The program is administered by Legacy International.
In Spring 2026, Fellows participate in an all group immersive training in Washington D.C. and a four-week fellowship experience with host organizations in Washington DC, or Detroit, Michigan.
That's where you come in! Fellows will be partnered with local businesses or organization that correlates to their field of interest and work experience.
Recent Host Testimonials
“The Fellowship was extremely successful. Radji [Fall 2025 Fellow from Algeria] was the perfect fit for our organization and we couldn't have imagined a better match. He was proactive and hit the ground running from day one. Bringing a fresh perspective to George Washington University's digital marketing, communications, and outreach strategy got us kick-started in expanding our presence on social media in a meaningful way, and Radji served as a key advisor to all members of our team.
Ultimately, the most impactful outcome was the relationship that was built between the Fellow and the organization, which will continue beyond the length of the Fellowship program. We now consider Radji a member of the GW Center for Excellence in Public Leadership family, and we continue to have weekly calls with him to follow up on the projects he was working on with us, as well as to support him in his community initiative. Thanks to the Fellowship program, we've established a long-lasting relationship that will be mutually beneficial for the host organization and the Fellow.”
Rachel Mahmud from George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership in Washington DC
“Gouider [Fall 2025 Fellow from Tunisia] was crucial in submitting a $5000 internal grant proposal to enhance our student entrepreneurship education program called Health Associates. We do not know yet if we got funded, but if we do, it is because of Gouider's outstanding efforts.”
Maarten Rotman from Dell Medical School in Austin, TX
“I loved the 2-way learning not only about technology but culture, world views, and more. I loved seeing Mounia [Fall 2025 Fellow from Morocco] break out of her comfort zone, connect with people in the city, and have transparent conversations about AI and how fast the world is accelerating. During the fellowship we also found out we were awarded a grant for the project Mounia was assisting with, on her first day! That's when we knew this would be an amazing experience.”
Cynthia Respert from Rebrand Cities in Detroit, MI
“Mariah [Fall 2025 Fellow from Algeria] made a significant contribution at American Public Health Association by taking our early, emerging ideas with the Champion initiative and shaping it into an actionable strategy. She also tapped into her education and work experience to further develop the goals and purpose of this work. She identified ways to expand and sustain this initiative, demonstrating both creativity and a strong understanding of APHA's mission and vision. This was a fantastic and enriching experience and I wish the 4 weeks didn't fly by so quickly.”
Mighty Fine from American Public Health Association in Washington, DC
“Samer [Fall 2025 Fellow from Egypt] was able to connect us with more than a dozen organizations within Egypt who have already been a tremendous help to GEN.”
William Charter from Global Entrepreneurship Network in Washington, DC