Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program is a prestigious and fully funded career development opportunity at Harvard University for students from across the world. Moreover, the program aims at students who are the first member of their family (first generation) to attend the university and facing challenges of financial and social circumstances.  The ultimate aim of the Crossroads Program is to create a diverse pipeline of future graduate students at leading universities, such as Harvard, and future leaders from across an array of social-economic, racial and cultural backgrounds. 

Moreover, The Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program was inaugurated in 2017 as a joint effort between the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC, HBS Professors Tarun Khanna and Karim Lakhani, and The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute at Harvard University. In 2020, the Crossroads Program expands to include more eligible countries and curated online sessions that will culminate in the weeklong Dubai experience held at Dubai International Financial Center’s Academy. Leading Harvard faculty members will teach an extensive and multi-disciplinary curriculum. It will include a combination of case studies, small discussion groups, potential career paths, and information on applying to Harvard.

Fully Funded Harvard University Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program

Harvard University Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program will cover the costs of international travel from select locations, board, lodging, and class materials. Moreover, the benefit comprises fully paid, in-person experience held in Dubai consists of a five-day Harvard classroom experience. However, visa costs are the responsibility of selected candidates

Who is eligible for the Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program?

The third edition of The Crossroads Program expands to include targeted online sessions ahead of an in-person learning experience conducted in Dubai. Round One of the program will be entirely online and open to all eligible applicants. A number of courses produced by HarvardX, a division of Harvard University, will be open to Crossroads students. The students will require to complete one or more of the offered sessions within a specific timeframe. Upon successful completion of a course, students will then be granted the opportunity to undergo a psychometric and aptitude assessment to unlock their strengths and unique abilities.

• Candidates must be between 18-24 years old.
• Further, they should hold a passport or national document from a country in Central Asia; South Asia; the Middle East; Africa; Latin America, and the United States.
• Likewise, they must be the first member of their family (first generation) to attend Harvard University.
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate university program or a recent graduate from a university within the last three years.
• Must be facing challenging financial circumstances.
• Also, the candidates must be fluent in English.

Harvard will invite the successful candidates from Round One to apply for Round Two of the Crossroads Program. Round Two, the fully paid, in-person experience held in Dubai consists of a five-day Harvard classroom experience. 

How to apply for the Harvard University Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program?