Blog - William Davidson Institute

Welcome to the M²GATE blog! Here we share different perspectives on the M²GATE virtual exchange program. M²GATE matches students from Michigan with peers in Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia to work together on social entrepreneurship challenges. Supporting the students along their journey are mentors, administrators, and instructors. In this blog, you’ll read about different aspects of the program, from different voices. We’ll be updating it as we proceed through the three cohorts of this program — so be sure to bookmark this page and visit again soon!

Social Enterprise: Empowering Cross-Cultural Teams
Social Enterprise: Empowering Cross-Cultural Teams
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
It has been a pretty phenomenal summer. This past year I have been exposed to people of various backgrounds and experiences, many of whom were involved in entrepreneurship. They all shared different insights, but one common theme emerged: there is not one path to entrepreneurship. We are all different and…
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A Pitch for Social Change
A Pitch for Social Change
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
The M2GATE program is a virtual exchange centered on social entrepreneurship. Participants gain knowledge, skills, and abilities by working on a cross-cultural team. The capstone of each team’s work is a virtual pitch video. A pitch video is a presentation to potential investors to garner support for a business idea.…
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Borders Divided Us; M²GATE United Us
Borders Divided Us; M²GATE United Us
Thursday, June 28, 2018
M²GATE: the MENA-Michigan Initiative for Global Action Through Entrepreneurship is a a virtual exchange program between the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the United States. Students are put in small teams to come up with an innovative solution to a problem faced by the region. We, The…
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Exchanges Develop Lasting Networks & Change Lives
Exchanges Develop Lasting Networks & Change Lives
Monday, June 4, 2018
For nearly 15 years, I managed in-person educational and professional development exchange programs at the University of Michigan. These programs were funded by the US Department of State or the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The opportunity to experience another country — including its educational environment, business culture and…
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The M²GATE Adventure Continues
The M²GATE Adventure Continues
Monday, April 30, 2018
When I was accepted to the M²GATE Program, I was extremely happy. I was sure that it would be a life-changing experience. Six years ago, after I graduated high school, I had no idea what careers appealed to me. I enrolled in a variety of courses across departments. I learned…
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M²GATE Students Reflect on Experience
M²GATE Students Reflect on Experience
Monday, March 19, 2018
“I’ve never worked with people from so far away. M²GATE gave me the opportunity to work with people from another culture. I enjoyed it a lot,” said Ryan Berg, a freshman at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan at the final session of Cohort 1 of…
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Guardians of the Gate and M²GATE
Guardians of the Gate and M²GATE
Friday, March 16, 2018
Did you know there’s a country where Internet service sector contributes as much to the GDP as its other key services ― including health, education and energy related services? This country’s growth rate is nearly twice that of Europe, largely driven by its progression in private and corporate-backed entrepreneurship. What…
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Education as the Social Issue
Education as the Social Issue
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
I was struck that so many M²GATE cross-cultural teams chose education as their social challenge. But, really, why not? Strong education is the foundation of vital societies and their globally competitive economies. I was also impressed by the division of time — quoted earlier in this blog by Amy Gillett —…
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A Meaningful Issue Worth Taking On
A Meaningful Issue Worth Taking On
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
I’m in the M²GATE program, on the Alters team. I’m a 23 year old studying human resource management at the University of Cadi Ayyad in Marrakech, Morocco. I’m in my fifth and final year and can’t wait to start working in the field I like the most. As soon as…
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Teams Tackle Tough Challenges in Education, Environment
Teams Tackle Tough Challenges in Education, Environment
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
The Alters are tackling the lack of soft skills among today’s youth. Four members of the team are students in Marrakesh, Morocco, while the other two are from the University of Michigan. Meanwhile, team Caerus – with four students from Tunisia and two from University of Michigan – has decided…
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