Mentoring

Gaza International Student Network (GISN)

The Gaza International Student Network (GISN) connects highly motivated students from Gaza with international university students and academics, offering personalized mentorship, academic guidance, online English courses, access to learning facilities and financial support in Gaza, and connections to international academic opportunities.

Led by the Alama Association in Geneva, in partnership with the Collectif du Personnel Universitaire pour la Palestine de l'Université de Genève (CPUP) and the Taalam School in Gaza, GISN fosters academic support, intercultural dialogue, and hope for the future. By combining mentorship, language learning, and international collaboration, the program helps young Gazans develop the skills, confidence, and international networks needed to pursue higher education and contribute to rebuilding their communities.

The program is intended primarily for students from the Taalam School with a strong academic profile and is also open to other motivated Gazan students, depending on the availability of volunteers. It currently brings together 40 Gazan students, 80 international student mentors, 8 volunteer English teachers, and 8 academics.

Mentorship and academic guidance

Each Gazan student is paired with at least one mentor and one academic advisor from Swiss or international universities. Mentors are master's or PhD students, while academic advisors are lecturers or professors. Pairings are based on academic interests, English proficiency, and, where appropriate, gender.

Mentors introduce students to international academic life, encourage English practice, explore study opportunities abroad, and provide ongoing encouragement. Academic advisors complement this support by helping students prepare study plans, CVs, motivation letters, university applications, and admission interviews.

Beyond academics, mentors and students are encouraged to share their cultures, interests, and everyday experiences, fostering meaningful friendships and intercultural dialogue.

English learning and wellbeing

GISN offers online English courses and conversation classes taught by professional and volunteer teachers, together with informal assessments of students' English proficiency.

To support participants' wellbeing, the program also provides psychological supervision led by a licensed psychologist (FSP). Regular group sessions help mentors process the emotional impact of their exchanges, while stress-management workshops are open to all participants.

Learning facilities in Gaza

Students have access to a dedicated computer room at the Taalam School in West Nuseirat, equipped with solar power, reliable internet, laptops, a projector, microphones, and other teaching equipment. The room provides a stable environment for online classes, mentoring sessions, and international exchanges.

Students living too far from the school receive financial support to access a suitable workspace closer to home.

Building an international community

Participants are connected through five WhatsApp groups dedicated to mentoring, English classes, supervision, and community exchanges. These spaces facilitate communication, resource sharing, and collaboration throughout the program.

A local coordinator in Gaza supports communication between students and volunteers, while mentors receive orientation and continuous guidance from the GISN team. International students, academics, and English teachers commit to the program for six months, contributing at least two hours per week. All participants receive a certificate of participation upon completion.

Impact after the first year (2025–2026)

The first year of GISN has already produced significant results:

• Established a fully equipped computer room at the Taalam School.

• Connected 40 Gazan students with 80 international mentors through weekly meetings.

• Delivered weekly English courses and conversation sessions by 8 volunteer teachers.

• Provided academic supervision by 8 lecturers and professors, supporting CVs, motivation letters, and university applications.

• Supported 10 students with university registration fees in Gaza.

• Provided high-quality tablets or laptops to 2 students and the local coordinator.

• Submitted more than 40 university applications to institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.

• Secured admission for 9 Gazan students to master's or doctoral programmes at the University of Geneva beginning in September 2026.

• Obtained 9 scholarships (7 from a Swiss foundation, 1 through the Swiss Students at Risk programme, and 1 from a private donor).

• Identified 7 host families in Geneva for students arriving to pursue their studies.

Connecting Future Healthcare Professionals

Starting in 2026–2027, GISN will collaborate with the Swiss Healthcare Workers Against Genocide. Through this partnership, Gazan students pursuing studies in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or other health professions will be paired with Swiss doctors or nurses who will provide mentorship, academic guidance, professional support, and connections to the international healthcare community.