Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We do accept participants who are under the age of eighteen on a case-by-case basis, particulalry if they are being accompanied on the program by a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of eighteen please contact us with a brief explanation of your interests in the program.

Simply fill out the online registration form Be as detailed as possible in your answers.

Then submit your $150 registration fee using the payments page.

If you have submitted both your registration fee and your application we will begin the process of reviewing your information. It may take a few days for us to get back to you. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or have questions about the status of your application. If accepted, we will send you an e-mail acceptance letter which will include a detailed orientation packet in PDF form. Once you are accepted into the program you can begin the process of applying for a visa and looking into flights. We will also at some point send you a letter of invitation from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate via e-mail. This letter can be included with your visa application and should also be printed and brought with you to Syria.

The Damascus Summer Encounter program is designed for participants of all ages, faith traditions, and nationalities who feel called to serve and build relationships with the peoples of the Middle East.

Middle East Fellowship is a Christian nonprofit but the program is open to and designed for peoples of all backgrounds and faiths. Candidates under the age of 18 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some nationalities will have extreme difficulties obtaining a Syrian visa and may, as a result, not be able to participate in the program.

No. Unfortunately there are no scholarships available at this time. We hope to someday be able to offer small need or merit based scholarships in the future (if you know of anyone willing to make a generous donation for this purpose, please let us know!)

We do, however, strongly encourage all of our participants to fundraise for their trip- especially if they are having difficulty finding the money to cover their costs. Your friends and family can send in money on your behalf and it will be counted as a tax-deductible donation to Middle East Fellowship. We have had a number of participants who, through appeal letters and fundraising events, have been able to raise enough money to cover the entire cost of the program (including flight!). Please feel free to contact us if you want to brainstorm strategies for raising your own support.

Middle East Fellowship reserves the right to reject any application submitted. We may, for example, impose a cap for a maximum number of participants. In this case any application submitted after we have filled all available spots will be returned. The program is designed for fluent English speakers. No background in Arabic is required. If for any reason whatsoever we feel that you may be a risk to yourself or others during the program, your application will be denied. We ask that people do not purchase their plane tickets until they have been formally accepted into the program.

Participants will wake up and have breakfast at the Saint Elias Monastery at about 8:00 A.M. They will then be transported to their various volunteer opportunities. At 1:00 P.M they will return to Saint Elias for lunch. From 2:30 to 6:00 they will participate in the scheduled arabic classes at the Berlitz Language Institute. In the evenings there will often be a guest lecture or cultural event. On the weekends we will travel to different cities throughout Syria, such as Sweida, Homs, Palmyra, Aleppo, etc.

The Arabic classes will teach colloquial Arabic and focus on speaking skills. The teaching methodology will be based on the Berlitz method. You can learn more about this from the arabic portion of the website.

Although the Berlitz program (for Arabic) is internationally recognized, with over 600 centers around the world, it is not affiliated with a specific accredited University. If you are a college student participating in the Damascus program, we recommend that you meet with your advisor before departing for the Middle East. It is possible that you can obtain independent study credits for your experiences abroad and that you can complete related assignments while overseas (for example, keeping a daily journal about your experiences or putting together a portfolio of photos from your trip).

In Damascus, you will see women wearing headscarves, women not wearing headscarves, and, occasionally, a woman wearing a full burka in which only her eyes (or not even her eyes) are visible. Most men and women in Damascus dress exactly as you might expect them to in a big city in America or Europe. It's extremely diverse.

For women:
Do not wear shorts or short skirts. As a rule of thumb: dress modestly. Short sleeve shirts are usually okay but long sleeves are preferable and tank tops should be avoided. The only time you'll need a headscarf is when you visit a mosque or certain holy sites.

For men:
It is extremely uncommon to see people wearing shorts, but it does happen. In general, it should be avoided. Avoid tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

Both men and women:
As international guests you will receive added scrutiny. Just because a local Syrian is dressed a certain way (for example: in a short skirt and a tight T-shirt) doesn't mean it is a good idea for you to follow suit.

Do pack a bathing suit and at least one set of formal clothes (something you would be comfortable wearing to a wedding). We will be attending some very formal meetings and ceremonies. Syrians also generally like to dress up and are quite fashionable. If you really want to fit in, try to look your best.

In certain areas, flashy jewelry should be avoided.

The summer will be hot. Bring a wide brim hat or hats and sunglasses as part of your basic protection against the effects of the sun.

For information on vaccinations and other travel tips regarding health visit the Center For Disease Control website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/mideast.htm. Many vaccinations require boosters or multiple shots so please plan in advance and accordingly.

The water in Damascus in some areas is quite good. Nevertheless, we encourage participants to stick with bottled water. Outside of Damascus it is definitely not advisable to rely on tap water.

Syria is extremely hot in the summer. Thankfully, the rooms at St. Elias have airconditioning. Participants are recommended to bring hats, sunglasses, sun screen and also swim trunks and a towel as there will be some arrangements to swim in some five stars hotel and in Latakia in the Mediterranean sea.

Middle Eastern cuisine is actually rich with vegetarian options. A traditional Middle Eastern breakfast, for example, usually consists of a spread of: pita bread, cheese, hard boiled eggs, black and green olives, apricot jam, hummus and coffee or tea. Fresh fruit is available at local shops and stands and vegetable sides and salads are popular options at most restaurants. Let us know in advance if you would strongly prefer vegetarian meals. Where you might run into difficulty is when you stay with a host family or are a guest on any other occasion. Local Syrians take it as a point of pride to treat their guests very well, and often this includes serving them large portions of their best dishes, including meat dishes-it is sometimes difficult to politely refuse your host's hospitality.

Middle East Fellowship provides all participants with travel insurance through Travel Insure. This includes basic medial coverage and emergency evacuation coverage. It does NOT cover lost luggage or flight cancellations. The cost of travel insurance is included in the overall price of the program.

Yes! In fact there are quite a few and a number of them are near the St. Elias Monastery where we will be staying.

Unfortunately, the facilities are not always particularly good, and there are typically different hours set for women and men. Weights are very common in most facilities and you can find facilities with treadmills. Although we are living in a particularly safe area, it is generally not recommended for women to jog in public (especially not alone) so finding a gym, even if the facilities are not ideal, is still probably the best bet for those who want to exercise regularly. We will also, of course, be walking a great deal. So, as long as you avoid the almost overwhelming lure of Damascus' sweets, you'll probably find yourself keeping in good shape this summer.

We expect all participants to adapt to and respect the local customs and cultural environment to the best of their ability, to be modest and respectful in their behavior, to have reasonable expectations about the amount of volunteer work and arabic study they will be able to accomplish in a short amount of time, to refrain from intoxication and drug use, and to follow the guidelines set out for participants during the orientation session. Remember that, as a guest in another country, you are here as a cultural learner. You are here to learn, not to teach and, as a volunteer, to serve, not to lead.

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage you to stay as long as you can. There is no reason why you cannot continue your arabic study and your volunteer position beyond the length of the program. The Damascus Summer Encounter is a great immersion program for those who want to "jump start" a longer volunteer experience in the Middle East. Just let us know in advance exactly how much longer you would like to stay and will begin making arrangements and offer a revised fee. You are also free to make your own arrangements.

Participants will be placed in double rooms at the St. Elias Hostel. Those who need a private room will need to pay an additional $336 for one month or $672 for the full two months. Prices are subject to change!

We will be visiting all around Syria. The exact itinerary has not yet been set. It is likely, however, that we will be visiting Tartous, Latakia, the Mediterranean Sea, Saydnaya, Bosra City, Cracks Des Chevalier, Homs City, St. George Monastery, Aleppo, St. Simon Citadel, Hassake, Palmyra and many other cities and sites of historical, cultural and religious significance. We also, of course, be visiting the sites around Damascus.

Participants will wake up and have breakfast at the Saint Elias Monastery at about 8:00 A.M. They will then be transported to their various volunteer opportunities. At 1:00 P.M they will return to Saint Elias for lunch. From 2:30 to 6:00 they will participate in the scheduled arabic classes at the Berlitz Language Institute. In the evenings there will often be a guest lecture or cultural event. On the weekends we will travel to different cities throughout Syria, such as Sweida, Homs, Palmyra, Aleppo, etc.

We will be staying at the St. Elias Hostel located near the old city of Damascus. You can read more about the accommodations here.

Yes. Every room at the St. Elias Hostel is equipped with free internet access. You need to bring an ethernet cable to plug into the network. Additionally, there is an internet cafe located onlu a few doors down from the Hostel and numerous internet cafes in the Old City of Damascus. Internet access everywhere in Syria is fickle, but checking your e-mail, posting your trip photos online and sending messages to friends and family back home will be a relatively hassle-free process.

The water in Damascus in some areas is quite good. Nevertheless, we encourage participants to stick with bottled water. Outside of Damascus it is definitely not advisable to rely on tap water.

Syria is extremely hot in the summer. Thankfully, the rooms at St. Elias have airconditioning. Participants are recommended to bring hats, sunglasses, sun screen and also swim trunks and a towel as there will be some arrangements to swim in some five stars hotel and in Latakia in the Mediterranean sea.

Yes. Although neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Iraq have suffered violent conflicts in recent years, Syria has been very stable and street crime is low. Having said that we recommend that you review your governments' website and review any travel warnings related to Syria.

Middle Eastern cuisine is actually rich with vegetarian options. A traditional Middle Eastern breakfast, for example, usually consists of a spread of: pita bread, cheese, hard boiled eggs, black and green olives, apricot jam, hummus and coffee or tea. Fresh fruit is available at local shops and stands and vegetable sides and salads are popular options at most restaurants. Let us know in advance if you would strongly prefer vegetarian meals. Where you might run into difficulty is when you stay with a host family or are a guest on any other occasion. Local Syrians take it as a point of pride to treat their guests very well, and often this includes serving them large portions of their best dishes, including meat dishes-it is sometimes difficult to politely refuse your host's hospitality.

In Damascus, you will see women wearing headscarves, women not wearing headscarves, and, occasionally, a woman wearing a full burka in which only her eyes (or not even her eyes) are visible. Most men and women in Damascus dress exactly as you might expect them to in a big city in America or Europe. It's extremely diverse.

For women:
Do not wear shorts or short skirts. As a rule of thumb: dress modestly. Short sleeve shirts are usually okay but long sleeves are preferable and tank tops should be avoided. The only time you'll need a headscarf is when you visit a mosque or certain holy sites.

For men:
It is extremely uncommon to see people wearing shorts, but it does happen. In general, it should be avoided. Avoid tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

Both men and women:
As international guests you will receive added scrutiny. Just because a local Syrian is dressed a certain way (for example: in a short skirt and a tight T-shirt) doesn't mean it is a good idea for you to follow suit.

Do pack a bathing suit and at least one set of formal clothes (something you would be comfortable wearing to a wedding). We will be attending some very formal meetings and ceremonies. Syrians also generally like to dress up and are quite fashionable. If you really want to fit in, try to look your best.

In certain areas, flashy jewelry should be avoided.

The summer will be hot. Bring a wide brim hat or hats and sunglasses as part of your basic protection against the effects of the sun.

Yes! In fact there are quite a few and a number of them are near the St. Elias Monastery where we will be staying.

Unfortunately, the facilities are not always particularly good, and there are typically different hours set for women and men. Weights are very common in most facilities and you can find facilities with treadmills. Although we are living in a particularly safe area, it is generally not recommended for women to jog in public (especially not alone) so finding a gym, even if the facilities are not ideal, is still probably the best bet for those who want to exercise regularly. We will also, of course, be walking a great deal. So, as long as you avoid the almost overwhelming lure of Damascus' sweets, you'll probably find yourself keeping in good shape this summer.

You will need to apply for a visa before departing for Syria. Visas are typically granted for three months. We will send out official letters of invitation to all participants which can be included with a visa request. We will also guide you through the visa process once you have been formally accepted into the program.

For information on vaccinations and other travel tips regarding health visit the Center For Disease Control website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/mideast.htm. Many vaccinations require boosters or multiple shots so please plan in advance and accordingly.

Pack light if possible. It will be hot, so pack for warm weather, but also please plan on dressing somewhat conservatively (no shorts or sleeveless shirts, for example). You should also bring at least one light jacket for cold nights.

Some other things you might consider packing:

A digital camera
A laptop (rooms come with free internet access)
An ethernet cable (required for internet access)
One set of formal clothes (appropriate for a wedding)
A bathing suit
A towel (for swimming)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
A hat (for sun protection)
A debit card (there are ATMs here)
A Visa or Mastercard
A watch or clock with an alarm
A notebook with pencils or pens
An electrical adaptor (so you can plug in electronic devices from U.S.)
Any medication you need
Cash for your daily expenses
A headscarf (for women) for visits to Holy SItes
A xeroxed copy of your ticket and passport
Address and phone number of St. Elias Monastery

Your tickets to Damascus will be expensive. If you are flying from the United States it can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,300 for round trip airfare. Factor this in to your overall costs. Finding cheap flights is often one of the most difficult tasks of traveling to the Middle East. No matter what you try, the cost will be significant. The earlier you buy tickets the better. Below we provide links, tips, and other information as well as contact information for two travel agents we recommend using.

A few hints:
1. Spend the extra time to compare prices.
2. Buy tickets as soon as possible.
3. Try leaving a day later or arriving a day earlier to see if changing your departure days significantly reduces the price. Keep in mind if you do arrive early or stay late you will need to find housing.

4. Check out the non-western airlines:
www.gulfair.com
www.turkishairlines.com
www.rja.com.jo
www.syriaair.com/

And check with other major airfare sites:
www.sidestep.com/
www.quixo.com
www.travelocity.com
www.expedia.com
www.cheaptickets.com

Middle East Fellowship provides all participants with travel insurance through Travel Insure. This includes basic medial coverage and emergency evacuation coverage. It does NOT cover lost luggage or flight cancellations. The cost of travel insurance is included in the overall price of the program.

The purpose of the Damascus Summer Encounter is to create opportunities for friendship and partnership between the peoples of the Middle East and the rest of the world. The program will allow participants from around the world to build relationships with the Christian and Islamic communities of Syria, to serve the local community through vital service projects and to learn about the peoples of Syria and the richness of their history and culture.

We expect all participants to adapt to and respect the local customs and cultural environment to the best of their ability, to be modest and respectful in their behavior, to have reasonable expectations about the amount of volunteer work and arabic study they will be able to accomplish in a short amount of time, to refrain from intoxication and drug use, and to follow the guidelines set out for participants during the orientation session. Remember that, as a guest in another country, you are here as a cultural learner. You are here to learn, not to teach and, as a volunteer, to serve, not to lead.

We do not make a profit of program fees. All program fees are used to cover the costs on the ground of: the arabic classes, weekend trips, meals, transportation, accommodations at Saint Elias Monastery, and staff time for set up and program development.

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage you to stay as long as you can. There is no reason why you cannot continue your arabic study and your volunteer position beyond the length of the program. The Damascus Summer Encounter is a great immersion program for those who want to "jump start" a longer volunteer experience in the Middle East. Just let us know in advance exactly how much longer you would like to stay and will begin making arrangements and offer a revised fee. You are also free to make your own arrangements.

Yes. We do accept participants who are under the age of eighteen on a case-by-case basis, particulalry if they are being accompanied on the program by a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of eighteen please contact us with a brief explanation of your interests in the program.

We strongly encourage you to participate in at least one full session of the program. It is okay to leave a little bit early as long as you are okay with not completing the Arabic class and missing some of the events of the program. Participants should definitely not arrive late, however, or else they will miss the orientation session and may have more difficulty adjusting to life in Syria.

Participants will be placed in double rooms at the St. Elias Hostel. Those who need a private room will need to pay an additional $336 for one month or $672 for the full two months. Prices are subject to change!

The Damascus Summer Encounter program is designed for participants of all ages, faith traditions, and nationalities who feel called to serve and build relationships with the peoples of the Middle East.

Middle East Fellowship is a Christian nonprofit but the program is open to and designed for peoples of all backgrounds and faiths. Candidates under the age of 18 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some nationalities will have extreme difficulties obtaining a Syrian visa and may, as a result, not be able to participate in the program.

No. Unfortunately there are no scholarships available at this time. We hope to someday be able to offer small need or merit based scholarships in the future (if you know of anyone willing to make a generous donation for this purpose, please let us know!)

We do, however, strongly encourage all of our participants to fundraise for their trip- especially if they are having difficulty finding the money to cover their costs. Your friends and family can send in money on your behalf and it will be counted as a tax-deductible donation to Middle East Fellowship. We have had a number of participants who, through appeal letters and fundraising events, have been able to raise enough money to cover the entire cost of the program (including flight!). Please feel free to contact us if you want to brainstorm strategies for raising your own support.

When we set up your volunteer opportunity, we take three factors into consideration:

1) the expressed needs of the organizations in Damascus
2) Your skills and talents (based on an assesment of your application) and
3) Your preferences and interests.

We will work hard to to find a volunteer placement that is right for you. And please feel free to contact us regarding any strong preferences. We won't, however, guarantee that you will automatically get your top choice. And you will not know where you are volunteering before you submit your application. Once your application and application fee is turned in, we will begin the process of setting up a place for you to volunteer.

Middle East Fellowship reserves the right to reject any application submitted. We may, for example, impose a cap for a maximum number of participants. In this case any application submitted after we have filled all available spots will be returned. The program is designed for fluent English speakers. No background in Arabic is required. If for any reason whatsoever we feel that you may be a risk to yourself or others during the program, your application will be denied. We ask that people do not purchase their plane tickets until they have been formally accepted into the program.

For information on vaccinations and other travel tips regarding health visit the Center For Disease Control website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/mideast.htm. Many vaccinations require boosters or multiple shots so please plan in advance and accordingly.

Yes. Although neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Iraq have suffered violent conflicts in recent years, Syria has been very stable and street crime is low. Having said that we recommend that you review your governments' website and review any travel warnings related to Syria.

In Damascus, you will see women wearing headscarves, women not wearing headscarves, and, occasionally, a woman wearing a full burka in which only her eyes (or not even her eyes) are visible. Most men and women in Damascus dress exactly as you might expect them to in a big city in America or Europe. It's extremely diverse.

For women:
Do not wear shorts or short skirts. As a rule of thumb: dress modestly. Short sleeve shirts are usually okay but long sleeves are preferable and tank tops should be avoided. The only time you'll need a headscarf is when you visit a mosque or certain holy sites.

For men:
It is extremely uncommon to see people wearing shorts, but it does happen. In general, it should be avoided. Avoid tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

Both men and women:
As international guests you will receive added scrutiny. Just because a local Syrian is dressed a certain way (for example: in a short skirt and a tight T-shirt) doesn't mean it is a good idea for you to follow suit.

Do pack a bathing suit and at least one set of formal clothes (something you would be comfortable wearing to a wedding). We will be attending some very formal meetings and ceremonies. Syrians also generally like to dress up and are quite fashionable. If you really want to fit in, try to look your best.

In certain areas, flashy jewelry should be avoided.

The summer will be hot. Bring a wide brim hat or hats and sunglasses as part of your basic protection against the effects of the sun.

Yes! In fact there are quite a few and a number of them are near the St. Elias Monastery where we will be staying.

Unfortunately, the facilities are not always particularly good, and there are typically different hours set for women and men. Weights are very common in most facilities and you can find facilities with treadmills. Although we are living in a particularly safe area, it is generally not recommended for women to jog in public (especially not alone) so finding a gym, even if the facilities are not ideal, is still probably the best bet for those who want to exercise regularly. We will also, of course, be walking a great deal. So, as long as you avoid the almost overwhelming lure of Damascus' sweets, you'll probably find yourself keeping in good shape this summer.

Participants will wake up and have breakfast at the Saint Elias Monastery at about 8:00 A.M. They will then be transported to their various volunteer opportunities. At 1:00 P.M they will return to Saint Elias for lunch. From 2:30 to 6:00 they will participate in the scheduled arabic classes at the Berlitz Language Institute. In the evenings there will often be a guest lecture or cultural event. On the weekends we will travel to different cities throughout Syria, such as Sweida, Homs, Palmyra, Aleppo, etc.

When we set up your volunteer opportunity, we take three factors into consideration:

1) the expressed needs of the organizations in Damascus
2) Your skills and talents (based on an assesment of your application) and
3) Your preferences and interests.

We will work hard to to find a volunteer placement that is right for you. And please feel free to contact us regarding any strong preferences. We won't, however, guarantee that you will automatically get your top choice. And you will not know where you are volunteering before you submit your application. Once your application and application fee is turned in, we will begin the process of setting up a place for you to volunteer.

Pack light if possible. It will be hot, so pack for warm weather, but also please plan on dressing somewhat conservatively (no shorts or sleeveless shirts, for example). You should also bring at least one light jacket for cold nights.

Some other things you might consider packing:

A digital camera
A laptop (rooms come with free internet access)
An ethernet cable (required for internet access)
One set of formal clothes (appropriate for a wedding)
A bathing suit
A towel (for swimming)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
A hat (for sun protection)
A debit card (there are ATMs here)
A Visa or Mastercard
A watch or clock with an alarm
A notebook with pencils or pens
An electrical adaptor (so you can plug in electronic devices from U.S.)
Any medication you need
Cash for your daily expenses
A headscarf (for women) for visits to Holy SItes
A xeroxed copy of your ticket and passport
Address and phone number of St. Elias Monastery

In Damascus, you will see women wearing headscarves, women not wearing headscarves, and, occasionally, a woman wearing a full burka in which only her eyes (or not even her eyes) are visible. Most men and women in Damascus dress exactly as you might expect them to in a big city in America or Europe. It's extremely diverse.

For women:
Do not wear shorts or short skirts. As a rule of thumb: dress modestly. Short sleeve shirts are usually okay but long sleeves are preferable and tank tops should be avoided. The only time you'll need a headscarf is when you visit a mosque or certain holy sites.

For men:
It is extremely uncommon to see people wearing shorts, but it does happen. In general, it should be avoided. Avoid tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

Both men and women:
As international guests you will receive added scrutiny. Just because a local Syrian is dressed a certain way (for example: in a short skirt and a tight T-shirt) doesn't mean it is a good idea for you to follow suit.

Do pack a bathing suit and at least one set of formal clothes (something you would be comfortable wearing to a wedding). We will be attending some very formal meetings and ceremonies. Syrians also generally like to dress up and are quite fashionable. If you really want to fit in, try to look your best.

In certain areas, flashy jewelry should be avoided.

The summer will be hot. Bring a wide brim hat or hats and sunglasses as part of your basic protection against the effects of the sun.