2023 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Young Women Leaders

Deadline to apply: November 12, 2022.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Amman is pleased to announce the 2023 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Young Women Leaders

OVERVIEW:  

The Study of the U.S. Branch has sponsored Student Leader Institutes since 2003.  The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Young Women Leaders began as the Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership in 2010 and were rebranded this year.  SUSIs for Student Leaders are intensive short-term 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.  Each Institute hosts 20 participants.  The Institutes consist of a four-week academic residency with a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.  Site visits, leadership development, cultural activities, and community service complement the coursework and academic sessions.  If conditions allow, the Institutes will include a one-week integrated study tour in the United States.  Note that if the program must take place virtually, participants will engage in similar activities but online from their home countries.

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Young Women Leaders enhance participants’ knowledge of U.S. history, government, institutions, society, and culture while developing their leadership skills.  The Institutes will incorporate a focus on American historical events as well as contemporary American life including current political, social, and economic debates in a pluralistic society.  The Institutes will examine how government policies, business and private sector practices, and socio-cultural norms engage and affect women through the four thematic lenses presented below.  The Institutes will also provide participants with opportunities to discuss current U.S. and global women’s issues such as: progress and opportunities for women’s leadership, combatting violence against women, addressing income disparity and other challenges to women in the workplace, women’s health issues, and the ways in which women can contribute to global peace, security, and stability.  The program will examine the participation of women through the following four Institute themes:  Civic Engagement, Economic Development, Environmental Issues, and Public Policy.

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.  Their fields of study will be varied and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.

Candidates should:

·         be female;

·         be proficient in English (speaking, reading, writing, listening);

·         be interested in the topic of Women’s Leadership;

·         be between 18 and 25 years of age;

·         have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to return 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,

·         if the program is conducted in-person, be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country; and,

·         if the program must be conducted virtually, posts must ensure that participants have access to the internet or help facilitate such access

OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Program Funding: The U.S. government will cover all participant costs, including program administration; international and visa travel, travel allowances, domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.

Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in university dorms or a full-service hotel within walking distance of most classroom activities.  Participants may be expected to share a room 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.

Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.  Special accommodations will be made available to the greatest extent possible.  Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and a $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program.  Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: Candidates should be aware that they are applying for an intensive and rigorous academic Institute and are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the program.  Participants must attend all lectures, participate in all required organized activities, and complete all assignments. Due to the intensive nature of the program, participants should not expect to fulfill professional or academic obligations, including remote work for jobs or internships, classwork, or examinations for their home university, while in the United States. Doing so will count as an unexcused absence from program activities. Family members and/or friends may not accompany or join participants for any part of the program.

Travel Policy: Participants are not allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start date of the SUSI or remain in the United States after the end date.  Similarly, participants will not be permitted to leave the SUSI to visit relatives or friends while in the United States.  If a relative or friend wishes to visit a participant, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the ECA program officer and the host institution.  Participants are required to return to their home countries immediately following the end of the Institute.

Violations of program rules, host institution rules, or local, state, or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.  It is important that these requirements and restrictions be made clear to all candidates before nominations are submitted.

Participants will have to travel on a J-1 visa; therefore you will be subject to the two-year home-country foreign residency requirement. You must return to your home country for a cumulative total of two years at the end of your exchange visitor program.  You are not prohibited from traveling to the United States but may not benefit from certain employment-based or family-based visas until the foreign residency requirement is satisfied.

Immediate family members of U.S. Embassy employees are ineligible for this program.

English Language Ability: All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program.

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program would consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming would include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, leadership development, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants would be expected to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their locations.

Connectivity: Should the program need to pivot to a virtual format, participants would need access to a computer and a stable internet connection.  If a participant does not have access to these two items, the university partner will work with the participant and post to facilitate access.  Participants would be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution and post of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation.

To apply, please fill out the application form using the following link: https://forms.gle/gBxVRGWzwKxxrXdh6

Deadline to apply is: November 12, 2022.

For further information on the program, please email us at: USAinJoExchanges@state.gov

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Amman is pleased to announce the 2023 Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Economic Empowerment.

Deadline to apply: November 5, 2022.

OVERVIEW:

The summer 2023 Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Economic Empowerment.  The five-week program will take place at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst; exact dates will be communicated at the time of selection.  Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the program will pivot to a modified virtual format.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders are intensive short-term 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.  Each Institute has 20 participants.  The Institutes consist of a four-week academic residency with a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.  Site visits, leadership development, cultural activities, and community service complement the coursework and academic sessions.  If conditions allow, the Institute will include a one-week integrated study tour in the United States.  Note that if the program must take place virtually, participants will engage in similar activities but online from their home countries.

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Economic Empowerment will enhance participants’ knowledge of U.S. history, government, institutions, society, and culture within the context of the theme.  Participants will receive an overview of the U.S. economic system and structures while exploring sub-themes such as economic prosperity and opportunity; building sustainable economies; inequities within economies; financial access and inclusion; entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems; social entrepreneurship; social capital development; financial literacy; organizational development and management; and adapting to the future of work.  The Institute will incorporate a focus on U.S. historical events as well as contemporary American life, including current political, social, and economic debates in a pluralistic society.  Participants will learn about economic empowerment through foundational discussion on entrepreneurship and social capital as well as capacity building workshops.  These practical sessions will address financial literacy, business modeling, and leadership and management skills.  Meetings will be arranged with businesses, such as the nationally known Yankee Candle Company, and local entrepreneurs.  The Institute also includes a trip to Boston to visit the Federal Reserve Bank and Harvard University.  Participants will be guided through a self-designed start-up project to practically apply their new knowledge and skills throughout the program, ending with a pitch presentation.

Candidates should:

·         Be a citizen of Jordan;

·         be proficient in English;

·         be interested in the topic of Economic Empowerment;

·         be between 18 and 25 years of age;

·         have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies at the end of the program, and therefore be committed to return 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.

OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Program Funding: Through an award given to Meridian International Center, ECA will cover all participant costs, including program administration; international and visa travel, travel allowances, domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.  If the program is conducted virtually, ECA will work with Meridian to provide a technology stipend to all participants.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive and rigorous academic Institute and are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the program.  Participants must attend all lectures, participate in all required organized activities, and complete all assignments. Due to the intensive nature of the program, participants should not expect to fulfill professional or academic obligations, including remote work for jobs or internships, classwork, or examinations for their home university, while in the United States.  Doing so will not count as an excused absence from program activities Family members and/or friends may not accompany or join participants for any part of the program.

Grounds for Program Dismissal: Violations of program rules, host institution rules, or local, state or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in shared or single university dorms on campus or full-service hotels within walking distance of most classroom activities.  Male and female participants will be housed in separate quarters.  In addition to regular group meals and a university meal plan, participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.

Special Accommodations: Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.  Special accommodations will be made available to the greatest extent possible.  Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and host institution guidelines.

Health:  All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay for the duration of the program.  Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Travel Policy: Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start date of the SUSI or remain in the United States after the end date.  Similarly, participants will not be permitted to leave the SUSI to visit relatives or friends while in the United States.  If a relative or friend wishes to visit a participant, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the ECA program officer and the host institution.  Participants are required to return to their home countries immediately following the end of the Institute.

Participants will have to travel on a J-1 visa; therefore you will be subject to the two-year home-country foreign residency requirement. You must return to your home country for a cumulative total of two years at the end of your exchange visitor program.  You are not prohibited from traveling to the United States, but may not benefit from certain employment-based or family-based visas until the foreign residency requirement is satisfied.

Immediate family members of U.S. Embassy employees are ineligible for this program.

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program would consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming would include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, leadership development, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants will be expected to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their locations.

Connectivity: Should the program need to pivot to a virtual format, participants would need access to a computer and a stable internet connection.  If a participant does not have access to these two items, Meridian will work with the participant and post to facilitate access.  Participants would be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution and post of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation.

English Language Ability: All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program.

To apply, please fill out the application form using the following link: https://forms.gle/wfGLSPvS173vrcoo8                                             . Deadline to apply is: November 5, 2022.

For further information on the program, please do not hesitate to email us at: USAinJoExchanges@state.gov.

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. It is a fully funded academic and cultural exchange program designed to increase participants’ knowledge and global connectivity. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.

All participants will be enrolled for one semester in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate course work chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers, and will be required to participate in twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.

Eligibility:

 1- Applicants must be a citizen of the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.

 2- Applicants must be studying in the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.

3- Scholarships will be granted to students who currently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs only, having completed a minimum of their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.

4- Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.

5- Applicants must achieve minimum TOEFL score of 45 iBT to be considered. Students who score between 48-60 will be considered for the virtual English Language Training prior to the exchange portion of the program. Students must achieve a minimum score of 61 to be eligible to participate in the exchange portion of the program in the United States.

6- Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the U.S. or outside of their home countries.

7- Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after the completion of the program.

8- Applicants are over 18 years of age.

Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:

1. U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
2. Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of their home country;
3. 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); employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
4. Immediate family members (i.e. spouses and children) of U.S. Department of State and USAID employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
5. Current World Learning employees and their immediate family members.

Application and Program Timeline:

Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2022 to December 15, 2022 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Participants will be placed at a U.S. university in either the fall 2023 semester (August-December 2023) or spring 2024 semester (January to May 2024).

Deadline:

All applications must be submitted by December 15, 2022.

For more information:

For application information and instructions, please visit https://webportalapp.com/sp/closed/ugrad_student_application_2023

The Student Leaders program offers outstanding undergraduates from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region an intensive leadership training course of approximately 5 weeks in the United States from June 26 to July 31, 2019. The program emphasizes lessons in participatory governance and the application of leadership skills. The Student Leaders program is a rigorous leadership program for up to 60 undergraduate and graduate students from the Middle East and North Africa. Students are divided among U.S. academic institutions where they develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society and participatory governance and how both may be applied in their home communities. Participants have the opportunity to meet their American peers, engage in local community service activities, and observe and take part in the governmental process on the local, state, and federal levels.

Who is Eligible?

This program is open to university students between the ages of 20 and 24. Preference will be given to traditionally under-served participants, and students who have not previously traveled to the United States. While nominees may be undergraduate or graduate students in any field of academic specialization, it is critical that they exhibit a serious interest in pursuing leadership opportunities in their home countries and demonstrate a desire to deepen their civic engagement. Applicants should demonstrate sufficient English-language skills to participate in U.S. university-level classes and must be enrolled in and attending a university in their home countries. At the time of application and while participating in the program, participants cannot hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident.

How do participants apply?

Participants apply for the program online at https://studentleaders.fluidreview.com and are then interviewed and nominated by Embassies. Expenses for the program are fully paid by the U.S. Department of State.

Deadline: Applications open in October and close in December of each year.

The Fulbright Student (Pre-Doctoral) Awards are offered every year to qualified Jordanian students for higher study and research in the United States. These scholarships are fully funded by the Fulbright Commission in Jordan and are intended for two years’ full-time study towards a Master’s degree only in all fields of student except for medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry.

Application deadline: Annual/winter. Please see the Fulbright Commission in Jordan website for more information.

The Summer Work Travel program is designed for foreign post-secondary students to enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to work and travel for a maximum of four months during their summer vacation. Participants pay for their own visa and travel costs and work with an approved agency to find employment opportunities.

Most participants typically work in non-skilled service positions at resorts, hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks. However, summer internships are allowed in other U.S. businesses and organizations including, but not limited to: architecture, science research, graphic art/publishing and other media communication, advertising, computer software and electronics, and legal offices. The term of the internship may not exceed the four-month program duration and must be completed during the student’s summer vacation. U.S. State Department regulations prohibit the placement of program participants as domestic help in U.S. households or in positions requiring them to invest their own money for inventory such as door-to-door sales. Students may choose to apply to the Summer Work Travel Program through the approved agencies in the United States or one of the approved Jordanian agencies listed below.

Approved agencies in Jordan:

Divan International
Cosmopolitan World Wide Experience
Stationcom 
Institute of International Cultural Exchange

For more information, visit the SWT website.

When is the Summer Work Travel (SWT) Season for Jordan?

Summer Work Travel program dates are typically mid-June until mid-October each year, although exact dates for each year are announced early in the calendar year. It is important to note that all participants should return to Jordan when their university starts the next semester.

Who is eligible to participate in the SWT program?

Participants:

• Must be enrolled in a full-time course of post-secondary study* and must be pursuing a degree from an accredited educational institution;
• Must demonstrate they will continue studies after participating in SWT. University seniors must show strong plans for graduate school or work in Jordan upon their return;
• Must demonstrate English proficiency at a level at which they can successfully perform their job and live in the United States.

* Final-year students are eligible to take part in this program during the school’s major academic break immediately following their graduation, as long as they apply to participate in the program prior to graduation.

Can students who are refused a SWT visa re-apply during the same SWT season?

Yes, a previous refusal for a tourist or other type of visa does not preclude you from applying for a SWT visa. However, the SWT program is designed for bona fide students. Students who cannot demonstrate that they returned to Jordan in time last year to begin their classes will be refused a visa.

Furthermore, if the student makes purposeful misstatements as to when he or she returned to Jordan or when school started, they could be found permanently ineligible for a U.S. visa.Those students interested in re-applying for a visa should be able to provide additional or new information that was not available during their previous interview. This information must exhibit a substantial change in their situation or eligibility for a SWT visa.

What does a sponsor do?

Sponsors ensure that participants entering the United States without prearranged employment have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their search for employment. In addition, sponsors must provide such participants with information on how to seek employment and secure lodging in the United States before they depart their home countries. Finally, sponsors must undertake reasonable efforts to secure suitable employment for participants unable to find jobs on their own after one week.

Have you been issued a SWT visa?

If you were issued a SWT visa, please visit the information about the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

Looking for more information? Please consult the Department of State J-1 visa website for frequently asked questions.

For more information about the Summer Work Travel program, visit the SWT website.