Gigi's IXO Internship

Gigi at our office

IXO offers opportunities not only for study abroad, but also for employment and academic and professional career advancement. Aside from our many student employees, we have welcomed Visiting Guests-in-Residence to work at our office and gain experience relevant to their studies and careers. One such person was Jihan "Gigi" Elsayed, an American who interned at IXO throughout Fall 2019 to complete a graduate practicum. She has since landed a job in the UAE and hopes to stay here long-term.

Gigi's internship at IXO was the last requirement for her Master in International Education Management program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, USA. "One of the benefits of completing the practicum at IXO was the opportunity to learn about different areas in international education management. For example, some practicum sites will either focus only on international student services or only on study abroad. At IXO, I worked on projects that focused not only on these, but also on professional development, alumni outreach, marketing and recruitment, etc. I was able to see and learn how the office operated as a whole and everything that went into it."

At her IXO birthday/farewell party

Working at IXO also broadened Gigi's scope of knowledge in her field in another way. "Professionally, I am more knowledgeable about education in the UAE. Since I grew up and studied in the USA, a lot of my knowledge regarding international education was very USA-focused, or European-focused, since I studied abroad in France. Having worked at IXO, I learned about international education from a different perspective."

"Overall, this was a great learning experience, and I appreciate and thank IXO for welcoming me and allowing me to complete [my Master's program] at AUS," she said.

Gigi doesn't plan on leaving the UAE anytime soon. "Ever since I studied abroad during my undergraduate studies, I always knew that I wanted to go abroad again. Currently, I am still living and working in the UAE, specifically in education. Hopefully by next fall, I will go back to school to receive a teaching diploma, and I hope to stay here long-term."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist