Helping ONLYOFFICE speak Arabic: Moncif Meftah shares his internship experience

As the back-to-school season begins, we’re continuing to introduce the talented interns who have helped shape ONLYOFFICE. This time, we spoke with Moncif Meftah, who contributed to the Arabic localization of ONLYOFFICE. During the internship, he worked on translating templates and expanding the Arabic interface of ONLYOFFICE DocSpace and the mobile apps.

In this interview, he shares how he balances academic research with remote work and what surprised him most about joining an international open source company.

Personal background

Please briefly introduce yourself.

I’m currently pursuing a PhD in English Literature and Civilization. My studies have sparked a deep interest in exploring cultures, histories, and different ways of seeing the world. Learning French has broadened that perspective even further, which is why joining an international company like ONLYOFFICE has been such a rewarding experience. Being part of a global team and collaborating with people from different backgrounds is something I truly enjoy.

What was your inspiration behind pursuing this particular career path or field of study?

For a long time, I wasn’t sure which path to take. As a kid, I was fascinated by technology, and I still remember how amazing it felt to use Skype to stay in touch with my family while I was in France. Being fluent in Arabic and French, I chose to study English. That decision eventually led me to opportunities like ONLYOFFICE, where I can combine my love of languages with my long-standing interest in technology.

Image: Moncif Meftah

The one person (a mentor, teacher or public figure) who has influenced your professional journey so far?

Many people have influenced my journey, and it’s honestly a list that keeps growing, which makes choosing just one difficult. If I had to, I’d say my elementary school teacher. I still remember her dedication and genuine belief in her students. She taught me that progress comes through consistent effort and encouragement rather than rushing to results.

What’s a fun or quirky fact about you that your team might not know?

One thing my team might not know is that I’m a big anime fan. I grew up watching anime, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to relax after a busy day. One series that has really stayed with me is Vinland Saga. I enjoy stories that explore personal growth and resilience, and it’s one of those shows I can always come back to.

ONLYOFFICE experience

What’s the one surprising thing you discovered about ONLYOFFICE after joining?

What surprised me most was how smoothly everything runs despite being fully remote. I expected communication and task coordination to be more challenging, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. Everyone is approachable and willing to help, which makes collaboration feel natural. It’s impressive to see how a global team can stay so well connected while working from different parts of the world.

Have you had any memorable moments with your team or fellow interns?

One moment that really stood out happened not long after I joined ONLYOFFICE, when I had an important PhD exam. Since it came up soon after I started my internship, I was hesitant to ask for time away. When I finally explained the situation to my manager, the response was immediate: ‘Of course, no problem.’ That simple interaction showed me how understanding and supportive the team is. It made balancing my academic responsibilities and internship much less stressful and left a lasting impression on me.

Is there a particular value or practice at ONLYOFFICE that resonates with you?

Every team has a clear role, which makes collaboration efficient while giving everyone a good understanding of how their work contributes to the bigger picture. I also really appreciate ONLYOFFICE’s commitment to expanding language support. Making technology accessible to people around the world reflects the kind of international environment that I value.

If you could describe your internship experience in three words, what would they be and why?

• Challenging: Balancing my PhD with an internship wasn’t easy at first. It pushed me to improve my time management and become more organized.
• Flexible: Remote work has given me the freedom to structure my day in a way that helps me stay productive.
• Insightful: I’ve learned a great deal about how an international tech company operates and how different teams collaborate to achieve shared goals.

How has this internship influenced your career goals?

This internship has reinforced a couple of things for me. First, I’ve discovered that remote work is a style of working that really suits me. Second, being introduced to the open source ecosystem has been a real eye-opener. Seeing how people around the world contribute to software that anyone can use has given me a new appreciation for collaborative development and has made me even more interested in pursuing a career in the tech industry.

Skill development and motivation

Can you share a project you worked on during your internship that you’re particularly proud of?

One project I’m particularly proud of was contributing to the Arabic localization of ONLYOFFICE DocSpace, and translating templates for the form library. It was rewarding to work on something that will be used by Arabic-speaking users around the world. Seeing my work become part of a product that makes technology more accessible has been one of the highlights of my internship.

What tools or skills have you picked up that you think will be useful in your future career?

Learning about digital marketing strategies has given me a new perspective on how technology and communication come together to reach a global audience. I’ve also strengthened my localization skills and become familiar with a variety of digital platforms, including WordPress and the tools used to manage website content. These experiences will be valuable wherever my career takes me.

How do you stay motivated and productive during remote work?

For me, staying productive starts with building a consistent routine. Routine sometimes gets a bad reputation, but I’ve found it to be one of the most effective ways to stay focused, especially while balancing studies with a remote internship. Having a clear structure for my day helps me manage my responsibilities and maintain a healthy balance between work and study.

Future plans

What’s your dream job or company (besides ONLYOFFICE, of course)?

If I had to choose a dream job, it would be writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. I know it’s a challenging path, but I’ve always admired the ability of writers to inspire and tell stories that stay with people. Even if it’s something I pursue alongside another career, it’s a goal I’d love to achieve one day.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

In five years, I hope to have continued growing in marketing, particularly in strategy and helping products reach new audiences. At the same time, I’d like to keep writing and exploring new opportunities. I’ve realized that I enjoy combining different interests rather than limiting myself to a single path, and I’d like my career to reflect that.

Growing together: the internship program

Since launching the ONLYOFFICE Internship Program in 2024, we’ve welcomed students and young professionals from around the world to work on real projects across marketing, localization, development, design, QA, documentation, and more.

The program has become an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an international open-source company, collaborate with teams across different countries, and contribute to products used by millions of people. For some interns, it has also been the beginning of a full-time career at ONLYOFFICE.

Join the ONLYOFFICE team

Interested in starting your own internship journey with ONLYOFFICE? We’d love to hear from you. Send your CV and a short cover letter using “Internship + Your Name” (or the position you’re applying for) as the email subject.

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Quick tip: Browse the ONLYOFFICE Template Library to find ready-to-use CV and cover letter templates before you apply.