Study of the United States Institute for Student Leaders Program 2010

TO APPLY:

Please submit 2 copies of the application form containing the following information:

A. Applicant's Full Name, exactly as it appears on his/her passport. Clearly identify what the nominee's first, middle and surnames are as they appear on his/her passport.

B. Date of Birth (please spell out Month, Day, Year)

C. City of Birth

D. Country of Birth

E. Country of Residence

F. Country(ies) of Citizenship

G. Home Address, Telephone and E-mail

H. Gender

I. Medical, Physical, Dietary or Other Personal Considerations. Please state if the candidate has any existing medical conditions or is currently taking any prescription medication. This will not affect candidate selection, but will enable the host institution to make any necessary accommodations.

J. College or University

K. Field of Study

L. Education, Academic and Professional Training

M. Active Memberships

N. Special Interests

O. Extracurricular Activities

P. Previous Experience in the United States. Please list any and all trips the candidate has made to the United States and include approximate dates and the reason for travel.

Q. Family Residing in the United States. Please list any immediate family members who are currently residing in the United States, including city and state.

R. Evidence of English Proficiency (e.g. personal interview, test score, etc.)

S. Future Study or Career Plans

T. Personal Statement (no more than one page)

Please include a photocopy of your national ID card (cedula) and/or passport.

Deadline for applications is 3 PM October 2, 2009

The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders is an intensive academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.

The institute consists of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel to other parts of the United States, local site visits, and volunteer opportunities, including an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic travel component of approximately one week that will conclude with a 2-3 day program in Washington, D.C.

Candidate applications must be received no later than 3 pm October 2, 2009 delivered by hand at the following address from 10 am to 4 pm:

Programa de Intercambio Universitario
Comision Fulbright
Colonia 810, piso 7
Montevideo

The principal objective of the institute is to heighten the participants' awareness of the history and evolution of U.S. society, culture, values and institutions, broadly defined. In this context, the institute will incorporate a focus on contemporary American life, as it is shaped by historical and/or current political, social, and economic issues and debates. The role and influence of principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual rights, freedom of expression, equality, diversity and tolerance will also be addressed.

In addition to promoting a better understanding of the United States, an important objective of the institute is to develop the participants, leadership and collective problem-solving skills. In this context, the academic program will include group discussions, training and exercises that focus on such topics as the essential attributes of leadership, teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, and management skills for diverse organizational settings. There will also be a community service component, in which the students experience firsthand how not-for-profit organizations and volunteerism play a key role in American civil society.

Local site visits and educational travel will provide opportunities to observe varied aspects of American life and to discuss lessons learned in the academic program. The program will also include opportunities for participants to meet American citizens from a variety of backgrounds, to interact with their American peers, and to speak to appropriate student and civic groups about their experiences and life in their home countries.

Program Funding

The Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration, international, domestic travel and ground transportation, book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances, housing and subsistence.

Housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Participants may be expected to share a room and bathroom with another student of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.

Health Insurance

All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $50,000 with a $25 deductible for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Program Requirements and Restrictions

Participants are expected to participate fully in the academic program. They are expected to attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Candidates should be made aware that the institute is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.

Participants will not be allowed to leave the institute to visit relatives or friends while in the U.S. If a relative or friend wishes to visit them, it will be addressed on a case by case basis.

English Language Ability

All candidates should be proficient in English so that they can be an active participant in the academic program. Host institutions will take into account that the level of comprehension and speaking ability of students may vary, and will prepare lectures and discussions that meet the highest academic standards while using language appropriate for students where English is their second or third language.

Candidate Description and Qualifications

The participants are expected to be highly motivated first through third year undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.

We will put a special emphasis on recruiting participants with little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country.

Candidates nominated for this program will:

- be between 18-25 years old (in 2009)

- have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of their institute program

- demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities

- demonstrate very good level of English

- have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated in grades, awards, and teacher recommendations

- have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular university activities

- have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country

- be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive

- be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and educational travel program

- indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States

- be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country

Date of travel: January 23 - February 27, 2010.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

Please submit entire application package to the following address by Friday, October 2 no later than 3:00 PM:

Programa de Intercambio Universitario
Comisión Fulbright
Colonia 810, piso 7
Montevideo
(from 10 am to 4 pm)

Please be sure you have included all of the following REQUIRED components:

___ 2 copies of the completed, signed SUSI Application Form
___ copy of your “cedula de identidad” or passport if you have one
___ one "carnet" size photo (affix to front page)
___ 2 copies of official transcripts for years of university study (or secondary study for those in the first year of university)
___ Copy of any private English examination to demonstrate language abilities

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