Infobooklet

Bridge the gap between the

arab and western

culture

WHY THE NOUR PROJECT?We live in a multicultural society, where people from many different cultures live side by side. It is, therefore, important that we aim to create a peaceful environment where people understand the differences of another culture and accept each other. Reaching an understanding of the Arab culture enables people to have a nuanced opinion, instead of blindly following the picture painted by the media.

HOW DOES THE PROJECT WORK?The Nour Project is an initiative by AIESEC in the Netherlands and aims to create mutual understanding between the Western and Arab culture. Our goal is to challenge prejudices and to bridge the gap between the Western and Arab culture. We do this by sending a number of highly motivated students to a country in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region twice a year. The Preparation Programme and the Reintegration Programme are part of the reason why the Nour Project is unique. Before leaving the Netherlands, the students will participate in a Preparation Programme. After the project, the students will take part in the Reintegration Programme, where they will share their experiences of their time in the MENA region.

In this booklet you will find more information about the different stages of the Nour Project. The last pages of the booklet consist of practical information about costs and requirements.

Nour Project

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The ProjectTHE PREPARATION PROGRAMMEIn the months before the participants go to their destination, we will provide them with trainings on both a professional and a cultural level. This is called the Preparation Programme.

THE EXPERIENCEDuring the months June up until September or January and February the students will go on a project in a country in the MENA region.

THE REINTEGRATION PROGRAMMEBack in the Netherlands - in order to complete the cultural exchange - the students will share their experiences on a local platform that they have created themselves. The purpose of this project is to create mutual understanding between the Western and the Arab culture and narrow the gap between the two cultures.

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ProgrammePreparation

The aim of the Preparation Programme is to provide the Nour Participants with experience and knowledge on a cultural, as well as on a professional level, for their time in the Arab culture. It takes place in November (Winter Programme) or May (Summer Programme). It consists of two days in which you will follow 8 to 10 workshops and lectures, given by various companies and experts. One should think of a workshop creative writing by de Correspondent, a lecture by documentary maker Floor van der Meulen, or a workshop by experts on the MENA region. During this period, the participating students will also be working on finding a suiting Experience Project.

In total, the Preparation Programme will approximately demand about two complete days on either Saturday’s or Sunday’s. Often, these days will take place in Leiden, Amsterdam or Utrecht.

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The ExperienceThe Experience will take approximately 6-8 weeks, with The Summer Project between June and September, depending on your availability, and The Winter Project in January and February. The Nour Project is a tool to work with locals and truly dive into the Arab culture.

The projects are chosen by the Nour participants themselves before the Preparation Programme and are mainly developmental: working at SOS Children’s Villages in Jordan, helping at children’s summer camps in Morocco or advocating for women’s rights. There are, of course, also other options, such as writing a local NGO’s business plan in Tunisia or helping less fortunate people to make the Rammadan a festive month. These are all examples of the projects of the past few years. For more project examples you can check our project booklet during one of our information events or ask your local AIESEC office.

During the weekends the students will be free to travel and explore the country! While abroad, the participants update their friends and relatives, and other people that might be interested, by regularly writing blogs about their experiences and discoveries or other expressions via social media. The links to these blogs will be posted on the Nour Project Facebook page. The blogs will contributes to the Nour Project’s mission: bridging the gap between the Arab and Western culture.

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ProgrammeReintegration

Before the participants go on their exchange with the Nour Project they will all think of an individual project that they want to realize. The purpose of this project is to create mutual understanding between the Arab and Western culture and narrow the gap between the two cultures. This will be done by motivating the participants to create their own Experience Project. A few examples of Experience Projects are making a documentary or creating an Arabic cookbook. During their experience the participants will be tracked and guided by the Reintegration Manager. When the participants come back from their experience they will be highly encouraged to spread the Nour message. They will do this through a local platform that they have created themselves. The Reintegration Programme has become a more local and personal project. It won’t feel like an obligation anymore, instead it will offer a chance for the participants to share their experience in a fun way with the people close to them. Through this newly addapted method the participants will, ultimately, be more flexible and creative in realizing their Reintegration Project.

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PracticalitiesSAFETYEvery year we carefully choose the countries of destination and judge whether the political situation is stable. We are in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Embassies and the local AIESEC organizations abroad. If the safety situation in a country changes a there will be a back-up option for the Nour Participant.

COSTS• €349,- as the regular AIESEC exchange fee: this includes the costs of the Preparation Programme.• €50,- deposit - which you will get back after completing your Experience Project.• Flight ticket.• Cost of living - which is generally lower than in the Netherlands.

WHAT WILL YOU GET?• Around 10 professional and cultural preparation activities.• A personal student coach of the Nour team who will guide you during your whole Nour Project.• Pick-up from the airport. • Arranged housing by the local AIESEC entity.• Optional (social) activities organised by the local AIESEC entity in your country of destination.

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How to ApplyIf you want to apply for the Nour Project you need to be between the ages 18-30. Both Dutch and international participants can apply. An additional requirement is that you need to be available for the Preparation Programme and the Reintegration Programme. During your interview you will be told when these programmes will take place.

To apply, fill in the form that you can find on the website and on our Facebook page.

YOU CAN FIND THE APPLICATION DEADLINE ON OUR WEBSITE AND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!

If you want to know more about the Nour Project or if you would like to get frequent updates:

Kwww.aiesec.nl/nourUnourproject@aiesec.nlBNour ProjectVnour.aiesec

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DESIGNJasmin de LeeuwAbygail van Klink

TEXTJasmin de LeeuwAbygail van Klinkw

OFFICEInternational HouseKaiserstraat 132311 GN LeidenT: 071 – 5271143

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