Academy › Global Connect
8 Week Online Course Designed for Highschoolers to Reframe The Arab World
Global Connect
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.
REGISTRATIONS OPEN
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REGISTRATIONS OPEN 〰️
FEB 28 - APR 25
90-minute virtual classes,
5PM Beirut Time
every Saturday for 8 weeks
Start Your Global Connect Journey
Global Connect Winter 2026: Enrollments Open
We are now accepting applications for the Winter 2026 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.
Global Connect Cohorts
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.
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).
About the Program
Classes
The students will attend eight 90 mins
classes, every Saturday.
Telling our stories
Dismantling orientalism
Activating your interests
Research methodologies
Producing knowledge
Identifying a research topic and exploring ideas
Building a compelling talk and presentation design
Final Session is the Capstone Showcase for qualifying select students.
Bookmarks
Each class explores resources on a different topic such as photography, literature, architecture, history, visual arts, and music.
Leadership & Career Prep
Through the course, students have the opportunity to build their leadership skills by selecting their own areas of research, developing a professional-style presentation, offering feedback to other participants, and networking with various professionals in the broader afikra community.
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.
Student Alumni Presentations
Meet The 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.