The United States Embassy in Armenia is pleased to announce a summer 2016 Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Local, State, and Federal Public Policymaking. The Institute will be hosted by a university in the United States (to be announced later) and will take place in June and July 2016.
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders are intensive five-week academic programs 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 five-week Institute will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. The Institute will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic study tour of approximately one week. During the academic residency, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom. The program will feature students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
The Institute will provide participants with an overview of the U.S. Federalist system of government as well as the role of non-governmental institutions such as civic organizations, the media, and the private sector in the creation of U.S. public policy. Discussions will explore the responsibilities of local and state government, as well as the three branches of the U.S. government, the system of checks and balances, and the role of local and state governments in leading and innovating in various policy areas. The Institute will also examine how organizations, the media, and the private sector influence government policy. Within the broader frame of the public policy process, students will be exposed to specific public policy questions on topics such as public finance, rule of law, education, public health, environment, and foreign policy. The Institute will then conclude with two to four days in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: The participants are expected to be highly motivated, 18-25 years of age 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; indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States. The applicants should have little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country.
Very good knowledge of English is required as the seminars are conducted in English.
Program Funding: The U.S. Government will cover all institute costs, i.e. international travel and allowances; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; admissions; housing and subsistence.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE E-MAILED TO THE U.S. EMBASSY IN ARMENIA NO LATER THAN Tuesday, December 15, 2015!
Please mark “Student Leaders” in the subject line of your email.
For additional information about the program, please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia; e-mail: amerstudiesyerevan@state.gov; phone: 010-494410/494211.