Frequently Asked Questions

Through the Palestinian Youth Leadership Program (PYLP), we currently offer two (2) programs: an internship program and a
professional development program. Both the internship program and professional development program take place in the West
Bank.

Our Internship program aims to place recent university graduates in internships for them to: obtain real work experience and professional mentoring; develop their job skills; identify specific areas of interest; create a network of contacts and professional relationships in the workplace; showcase their work and skills; and transform their academic knowledge into practical experience.

We aim that the interns be recent university graduates.

Yes.

Those individuals that meet our initial criteria are invited to apply to the internship program, and shall be requested to submit the following application materials:

1. Intern application form

2. One (1) letter of recommendation: Applicants shall be required to provide 1 letter of recommendation from a university professor, who must have first hand knowledge and experience with the applicant and answer a series of questions

3. Writing sample. Applicants shall also answer a series of questions on the intern application form.

1. First level of review shall consist of a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee shall be required and expected to review applicants’ application materials and evaluate them on the below characteristics:

1. Traits and characteristics attested to by university professors
2. Excellent attitude
3. Demonstrated leadership potential: applicants must have also demonstrated leadership potential. Examples of demonstrated leadership potential may include, but are not limited to the below characteristics

However, applicants are not required to meet all the characteristics listed below which demonstrate leadership potential; as long as applicants possess some of the below factors, this shall suffice.

1. Ability to effectively communicate
2. Motivation
3. Whether applicant is an individual of high, infectious energy
4. How does applicant approach situations, and his/her ability to solve complex problems.
5. Ability to motivate others
6. Strong leadership abilities
7. Writing skills

• First level of review shall consist of a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee shall be required and expected to review applicants’ application materials and evaluate them on the below characteristics:

1. Prospective host institutions shall also have the right and discretion to evaluate applicants on any other additional characteristic(s) or criteria they deem important that will help them in their decision‐making process.
2. Interview Day. Following the evaluation and review of application materials by prospective host institutions, we require that those same institutions shall then determine who they wolid like to interview. For those applicants that have been chosen by prospective host institutions to interview, we require that face‐to‐face interviews are then conducted. The purpose of the interviews is to ensure applicants possess the necessary attributes and characteristics, as well as to avoid mismatching applicants’ capabilities with host institutions’ expectations.
3. Following the interview process, prospective host institutions will then determine which applicant, or applicants, depending if they are interested to host more than one intern, to work as an intern at their institution. For those applicants that have been selected by host institutions, we shall send them an acceptance letter informing them that they have been accepted into the Internship program.

Yes. An Institution can host more than one intern at a time during an internship cycle. In fact, there is no limit on the number of interns each institution can host during an internship cycle. For example, during an internship cycle, one institution may desire to host only one intern; while another institution may want to host more than one intern, i.e. two, three, four interns, etc. The number of interns each institution will host depends on the need of the institution during an internship cycle.

Yes. Each intern is assigned a mentor throughout his/her internship experience. The mentors are assigned by the host institutions.

Each mentor is required and expected to guide the intern(s) during the entire internship period; and shall also be responsible for the intern(s). Mentors play a valuable role to the professional development of interns because they are required to provide them with job training, professional guidance and support. By working closely with the intern(s), mentors have the opportunity to develop a strong relationship with them, and contribute to their professional development.

Mentors are also required to evaluate the intern(s) by having to submit the following documents: a one‐time questionnaire and also a more detailed evaluation form.

{Interns are also required to evaluate their mentor by having to submit the following documents: a one‐time questionnaire
and also a more detailed evaluation form.}

Even if an institution hosts more than one intern at a time during an internship cycle, they have the sole discretion to determine which mentor or mentors they would like to assign to the interns.