Congratulations on receiving a Fulbright grant! The resources on this page are designed to familiarize you with your host location and provide important context and information as you prepare to travel abroad. We encourage you to review the readings, websites, and logistical information offered by local contacts. Click the section headings below to display the information.

Orientation Information

As part of your Fulbright grant, you are required to attend a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) taking place from July 10 to 11, 2025. You will receive an email in early June with more information. If you have any questions regarding the PDO, please email FulbrightPDO.MENA@iie.org.

Contact Information

U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs
18 Agron Road
Jerusalem 9419003, Israel
Tel: +972-2-622-7230
https://palestinianaffairs.state.gov/

Emergency Contact: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Marine Security Guard (MSG), Post One, Tel: +972-2-630-4000

The U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs' Public Diplomacy Section (OPA PD) arranges and confirms academic affiliations, provides welcome packets and in-country orientation, and performs facilitative services for ETAs in country. OPA PD will arrange a security briefing as soon as possible after the grantee's arrival, and all ETAs will be asked to sign a security addendum agreeing to follow all of Post’s security directives. The Regional Security Office will need to review and approve all housing requests in advance of arrival. If you need assistance identifying an apartment or have one already identified, please contact the point of contact (POC) at OPA PD to start the housing review process.

OPA PD maintains a WhatsApp group for all Fulbright grantees assigned to Jerusalem and the West Bank to share security notifications. Therefore, it is imperative that all scholars have a functioning phone and/or WiFi as quickly as possible after arrival. Embassy Jerusalem also highly recommends that Fulbright grantees submit their location info in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) via https://mytravel.state.gov.

Points of Contact

Passion Julinsey  
Public Diplomacy Officer
Public Diplomacy Section – U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs
Tel: +972-2-622-7241
Email: JulinseyPI@state.gov

Darin Hussein 
Higher Education Specialist
Public Diplomacy Section – U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs

Email: HusseinDJ@state.gov

Katherine Garry
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Public Diplomacy Section – U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs
Tel: +972-2-622-7165
Email: GarryKD@state.gov

IIE U.S. Scholar Program Advisors

https://fulbrightscholars.org/fulbright-us-scholar-program-advisors

IIE U.S. Student Program Advisors

https://us.fulbrightonline.org/finalist-resources

Country Information

• State Department Country Information – Palestinian Territories
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
• State Department Travel Warning-West Bank
• Palestinian Territories (West Bank) Handbook

English Teaching Assistants must attend an ETA workshop separate from the regional pre-departure orientation. Questions about this event can be directed to ETAWorkshop@iie.org.

All finalized participants will receive a handbook prior to their Pre-Departure Orientation.  Once received, please review the handbook in its entirety, as it will contain important country- and Post- specific information for your Program.

Alum Contacts

We invite you to contact these Fulbright alumni prior to your arrival. They can be an excellent resource for unofficial questions – what type of clothing to bring, how to open a bank account, and more.

Makana Brooks                                                          

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Alumna              

Email Address: makanajbrooks@gmail.com

Adam Salek                                                         

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Alumnus               

Email Address: aasalek@gmail.com

 

Additional Resources

U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs Websites and Social Media

• OPA Website
• OPA Facebook page
• OPA Twitter
• OPA Instagram

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