Deadline: 20 December 2019

Applications are now open for the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders which are intensive short-term 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 Study of the U.S. Institute on Journalism and Media hosted by Washington State University, will provide participants with a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a free press in U.S. society. The Institute will examine the role of journalists in preventing disinformation and explore strategies for media literacy such as critical thinking to counter disinformation. Academic sessions will examine First Amendment rights, technology’s impact on journalism, editorial independence, journalistic ethics, legal constraints, civic journalism, and digital and social media.

The Institute will include opportunities for participants to gain practical experience in the trade craft of journalism, including researching, reporting, writing, and editing. In addition to classroom activities, participants will meet with local news outlets and travel to Atlanta, Georgia, for a study tour. The Institute will end in Washington, D.C. where participants will come together for a closing forum. During the closing forum, participants will have opportunities to network, discuss their action plans, and engage in conversations on relevant topics with local subject matter experts.

Program Funding: All participant costs are covered by the SUSI program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible participants for this Institute are students from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.
• Candidate Description and Qualifications:
  • The participants are expected to be highly motivated undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
  • Applicants from Media and Journalism programs are preferred. However, strong applicants from all study programs including the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields are eligible.
  • Students from non-elite backgrounds, historically underserved groups, indigenous groups, disadvantaged groups, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTI community, and ethnic minority communities, both rural and urban areas, and with little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates nominated for this program will:
  • be proficient in English;
  • be interested in the Institute topic;
  • be between 18 and 25 years of age;
  • have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of the program;
  • demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
  • indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
  • have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
  • demonstrate commitment to community and extracurricular university activities;
  • have 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; and,
  • 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.

Note: 1st and 2nd year Bachelor students are the best fit for the Program.

Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for SUSI Program:

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
• Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of their home country;
• Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID and their immediate family members.)

For more information, visit https://al.usembassy.gov/education-culture/educational-exchange-programs/the-study-of-the-u-s-institute-susi-for-student-leaders/