The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Algeria seeks to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Algeria, and U.S. Fulbright Scholars to Algeria will find a dynamic, rewarding environment in which to teach. Algeria is the largest country on the African continent, with a diverse Arab and Amazigh population of 40 million and a mixed Arabic-Darija-Amazigh-French language environment. As the government seeks to diversify its economy beyond the oil and gas sectors, it is increasingly looking to the United States and other countries for STEM, education, and English-teaching expertise. The large youth population is turning its attention toward U.S. culture and toward English as a global language. This trend is supported by the Algerian Ministries of National Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research as well by university and school administrators. Given this environment and Algerians' seeming insatiable appetite for English-language leaning, Algeria can be a very rewarding teaching experience for motivated, flexible, and adventurous scholars.
Applicants in a variety of fields are invited to apply for teaching and research awards at universities and specialized institutes. Applicants should be knowledgeable of global issues, resourceful, tolerant, and flexible. They must be understanding and respectful of cultural nuances as well as security realities. They must demonstrate the initiative, leadership, and confidence required to advance the teaching of their subject in a foreign setting. While applicants possessing French or Arabic language skills or previous cross-cultural experience will have an easier time navigating life in Algeria, specific language skills or experience in the region are not required.
Higher education is universally free in Algeria, and students are given a stipend as well. Degree programs follow the French-based LMD (license, magistere, doctorat) system. The academic year in Algeria is from October to July – with administrators reporting in September – and includes three terms: October through December, January through March, and April through early-July. There are two two-week breaks in the winter and spring, and the calendar may be adjusted around Islamic holidays. Algeria operates on a Sunday to Thursday work week. However, the increasingly large number of students at certain schools has resulted in the addition of some classes on Saturdays as well. Students, faculty, or administration-led strikes are not uncommon as forms of collective action to draw attention to or advance priorities on certain issues.
The U.S. Embassy Algiers’ Public Affairs Section manages the Fulbright Program in Algeria. U.S. Scholar placements are negotiated by the Embassy with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which has central authority over all aspects of higher education in the country. Applicants needing more information about the higher education system, specific institutions, class loads, and potential contacts should email Adam Sigelman, Cultural Affairs Officer (sigelmanah@state.gov) or Nadia Ouhenia, Cultural Affairs Assistant (ouhenianx@state.gov). For additional perspective on the overall Algerian higher education and research environment, interested applicants may also reach out to Dr. Robert P. Parks at the Center for Maghreb Studies in Algeria (CEMA) (parks@cema-northafrica.org). CEMA is the Overseas Research Center in Algeria of the American Institute for Maghreb Studies (AIMS) and is a member of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC).
The Embassy is a fully accompanied post. For grantees with school-aged children, the recently-opened American International school of Algiers (AISA) can accommodate students up to sixth grade in English-medium education. Applicants interested in bringing school-aged dependents should contact Adam Sigelman (sigelmanah@state.gov) or Nadia Ouhenia (ouhenianx@state.gov) for more information. Though the capital city Algiers is generally considered safe and Embassy staff members do travel to other cities in Algeria, travel outside the capital is subject to review of the security environment at the time of travel. Please refer to the most recent State Department Travel Advisory for Algeria for more details. Final awards and placements will be contingent upon a further evaluation of the security situation in Algeria. All Fulbright grantees must sign an agreement to abide by security and travel guidelines for Algeria.
