Fulbright Teaching Excellence & Achievement (TEA) Program

Fulbright Teaching Excellence & Achievement (TEA) Program

Application deadline: March 22, 2023

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement program will bring approximately 168 international secondary-level teachers of English, English as a Foreign Language, math, science, foreign languages, and social studies, including special education teachers in those subjects, to the United States for a six-week program in January 2024 or September 2024 to take academic seminars for professional development at a host university and to observe and share their expertise with teachers and students at the host university and at local secondary schools. The timing of the program is subject to change, depending on the conditions in the host communities. Fulbright TEA provides general academic seminars focusing on new teaching methodologies, student-centered learning, content-based instruction, lesson planning, and instructional technology training for teachers. Intensive English language instruction will be offered to teachers who need additional practice. The program will also include a practicum of at least 40 hours with a U.S. partner teacher in a secondary school near the host university to actively engage participants in the U.S. classroom environment. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided to participants throughout the program. The program will provide participants with practical resources they can use in their teaching, as well as skills to train trainers. After returning home, teachers who successfully complete the program will be eligible to compete for small grant awards for essential teaching materials, follow-on training for other teachers, collaborative projects between participating American schools and their home schools, and other activities that build on the exchange experience. The safety and security of participating Fulbright TEA teachers and their home and host communities is our priority.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

•Be current secondary school-level*,full-time teachers of English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), math, science, foreign language, or social studies, including special education teachers in those subjects at an institution serving primarily a local population.

•Have earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

•Have completed at least three years of full-time teaching by the start of the program, with a preference for those who have completed at least five years of full-time teaching.

•Be a current citizen and resident of a participating country at the time of application and of program participation.

•Earnaminimumscoreof450onthe paper based TOEFL or an equivalent English language examination*.

•Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program; and

•Have submitted a complete application.* Secondary-level teachers include both middle and high school teachers serving students between approximately 12 and 18 years of age.

Teachers responsible for teaching additional grade levels must teach middle or high school students more than 50% of their work time to be eligible for the program. The most competitive applicants will have shown evidence of leadership in their schools or districts.**A limited number of participants with TOEFL scores between 425 and 450 or equivalent maybe accepted into a special cohort of the program with additional English language training provided.

The Fulbright TEA Program is an upper-level university or graduate level academic program for practicing teachers. Educational administrators (such as representatives or officials of the Ministry of Education) and school administrators who do not teach at least fifty percent of their time, full-time teacher trainers, university faculty, private English Language tutors, and teachers from schools primarily serving expatriates are not eligible. Staff or families of staff at a U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission are not eligible to apply. Current IREX employees and consultants and their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings) are not eligible to compete in any IREX-implemented grant programs, either as individuals or as the responsible party representing an institutional applicant. The Fulbright TEA Program promotes diversity in the classroom and in learning. The Fulbright TEA Program supports inclusion and strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply.

PROVISIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP 

·         J-1 visa support.

·         A pre-departure orientation held in participant’s home country.

·         Round-trip airfare to and within the U.S.

·         Academic program fees.

·         Housing (generally shared with other program fellows) and meals.

·         Accident and sickness health care coverage (does not cover pre-existing conditions).

·         Transportation to the practicum school (as needed).

·         A daily allowance for incidentals during the university academic program.

·         A baggage allowance.

·         A workshop in Washington, D.C.; and

·         The opportunity for alumni in good standing to apply for alumni small grants.

PROGRAM TIMELINE
March 22, 2023 April – May 2023	Application deadline TOEFL Testing / Semifinalist Interviews
September 2023	Notification of Finalists
November – December 2023	Visa Interviews and Pre-Departure Orientation Spring 2024 Cohort
Late January – mid-March 2024	U.S. Program Dates Spring 2024 Cohort
July 2024	Visa Interviews and Pre-Departure Orientation Fall 2024 Cohort
September – late October 2024	U.S. Program Dates Fall 2024 Cohort

 

The Fulbright TEA program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.

To apply, visit: https://fulbright.irex.org/ . Application deadline is March 22, 2023.

To learn more about the program, visit: www.irex.org/fulbright-tea

For questions, write to: fulbrighttea@irex.org

 

 

TechWomen is a professional exchange program that directly supports the U.S. foreign policy goal of advancing the status of women and girls around the world by enhancing their skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to enable participating women to reach their full professional potential.  Approximately 110 emerging leaders working in STEM fields from 21 countries in North Africa and the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and Central Asia will travel to the United States in September 2023 for an intensive exchange experience. Women will select one of six tracks when applying: information technology, green technology, science, internet, biotechnology, or telecommunications. The U.S.-based exchange for TechWomen participants will take place over a five-week period in September and October 2023. Participants will be hosted in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago simultaneously for the first four weeks of the program.  Placement in either location will be determined based on their professional background, the availability of mentors and host companies, and their indicated program goals. The program begins with a series of hybrid workshops focused on leadership skills, innovation and design thinking, followed by individual 15-day professional mentorship fellowships at leading innovation companies and organizations in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago.  Each participant will complete a mentorship and each participating country will work as a team with Impact Coaches to formulate an action plan to address a socioeconomic challenge in their home communities.  The teams will pitch their projects in a competition, with the winners receiving seed funding.  Participants will also engage in community service projects and participate in cultural and recreational activities within their U.S. community.  The exchange will conclude with a three-day program in Washington, D.C., where participants and mentors network and engage with Department of State officials and other women leaders in government.

Applicants must:

·        Be women with, at minimum, two years full-time professional experience in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Please note that internships and other unpaid work experience does not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement.

·        Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent.

·        Be proficient in written and spoken English.

·        Be citizens and permanent residents of Jordan at the time of application and while participating in the program.

·        Be eligible to obtain a U.S. J-1 exchange visitor visa.

·        Not have applied for an immigrant visa to the United States (other than the Diversity Immigrant Visa, also known as the “visa lottery”) in the past five years.

·        Not hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. legal permanent resident.

Preference will be given to applicants who:

·        Demonstrate themselves as emerging leaders in their chosen professional track through their work experience, volunteer experience, community activities and education.

·        Are committed to return to their home countries to share what they have learned and mentor women and girls.

·        Have limited or no prior experience in the United States.

·        Have a proven record of voluntary or public service in their communities.

·        Have a demonstrated track record of entrepreneurialism and commitment to innovation.

·        Demonstrate a willingness to participate in exchange programs, welcome opportunities for mentoring and new partnership development, and exhibit confidence and maturity.

TechWomen encourages people with diverse backgrounds and skills to apply, including individuals with disabilities.

Review eligibility requirements and apply by January 13, 2023: http://bit.ly/techwomen2023

The Community Solutions Program (CSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by IREX, provides the best and brightest community leaders, ages 25 to 38, from around the world with an intensive, professional development exchange program that includes a substantive hands-on learning experience in the United States from August to December annually. Community Solutions Fellows gain valuable experience in community work and strengthen their capacity for leadership and development in their home countries.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be between the ages of 25-38 as of January 1 of the program year.
• Applicants must have at least two years of experience working on community development, either as a full-time or part-time employee or volunteer
• Applicants must be living and working in their home country (individuals with refugee status working on behalf of their home community may be given special consideration)
• Applicants must have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English

Program Activities

During the four-month U.S.-based fellowship, CSP fellows are matched with non-profit organizations, private entities, and government offices across the United States, where they work with U.S. colleagues on initiatives related to issues they face in their own communities. Community Solutions leaders work in one of four technical areas: Environmental Issues, Tolerance and Conflict Resolution, Transparency and Accountability, and Women and Gender Issues.

Community Leadership Institute: The Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a leadership academy that provides customized learning and coaching to each CSP Leader. The CLI uses a blended-learning approach, where leaders participate in online sessions and in-person workshops, receive professional coaching, engage in experiential learning, and interact with other professionals in their field.

Community-based initiatives: CSP fellows develop innovative community action projects in collaboration with their U.S. host institutions and implement these projects after they return to their home countries to integrate their new skills and knowledge into their community work at home. Project summaries are made available online, allowing fellows to share their work with other community leaders around the world.

International network of community development professionals: CSP fellows continue to network and collaborate with like-minded leaders from around the world on global development issues through alumni activities and opportunities offered through the Community Leadership Institute online platform.

To Apply

Applications are submitted online on the program website annually in the fall. Please see the IREX website for more information. The embassy will post information about the application procedures and deadline when the annual program is announced.

The Professional Fellows Program is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States.  PFP participants are placed in intensive 5-6 week fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience.  They build a broad network with American and other program participant colleagues as they develop a deeper understanding of U.S. society.  The PFP is a two-way exchange, with American participants who have hosted foreign fellows traveling overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs.

Participants must:

• Be young leaders, ages 25-40, currently employed and with at least two years of professional experience at the time of application;
• Have a track record of making an impact in their community, organization or company;
• Be proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application;
• Be a citizen of, and currently residing in, one of the eligible countries for participation in the program.

Application deadline: Annual/early winter. The embassy will post an announcement during the application season.

For more information, visit the Professional Fellows website.

Atlas Corps is an overseas fellowship for the world’s top social change leaders. The program addresses critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals. The Atlas Corps Fellowship typically lasts 12 to 18 months. Fellows serve full-time at host organizations to develop leadership skills and learn effective practices through the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab professional development series and networking opportunities with other Fellows. This prestigious fellowship includes health insurance, enrollment in Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab, flight and visa costs, and a living stipend to cover basic expenses (food, local transportation, and shared housing).

The Atlas Corps Fellowship: MENA Entrepreneurship Initiative (MENA Entrepreneurship Initiative), a special initiative within the Atlas Corps Fellowship, is supported by the U.S. Government and is specifically looking to recruit emerging business professionals from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia for a 12-month professional fellowship in the United States.

Fellows will increase their business acumen while serving in leading corporations, private companies, and organizations that promote entrepreneurship through hands-on experience while developing person-to-person connections to learn effective business practices. This prestigious fellowship includes health insurance, enrollment in Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab, travel costs, and a living stipend.

Applicants for the MENA Entrepreneurship Initiative should go through the same online application process as other applicants for the Atlas Corps Fellowship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Visit apply.atlascorps.org to learn more and start your application.

The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars and Secondary Educators are post-graduate level academic programs for mid-career foreign scholars, faculty, practitioners, and secondary educators whose purpose is to strengthen curricula and to improve the teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad. SUSIs for Scholars are six-weeks long; SUSIs for Secondary Educators are five-weeks. These Institutes are comprised of a four- to five-week academic residency and a one- to two-week educational study tour to a different region of the United States. During the Institutes, scholars engage in rigorous academic coursework and panel discussions, interact and establish networks with American scholars, meet with experts in respective disciplines, visit civic institutions, and in some cases, participate in research symposia and conferences. In 2018, cohorts of 18 to 20 participants will take part in 10 scholar programs under the following disciplines:

• American Politics and Political Thought
• Contemporary American Literature
• Journalism and Media
• Religious Pluralism in the United States
• Secondary Education
• S. Culture and Society
• S. Foreign Policy
• S. National Security and Policymaking

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Demonstrated English language proficiency
• Have limited prior experience in the United States
• Have firm plans to enhance, update, or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus
• Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa

Prospective participants should contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Amman for up-to-date information about the Institutes. U.S. Embassies manage the nomination of candidates, as well as organize participants’ visa interviews and international travel to the United States.

 

The Scholar in Residence Award sends Jordanian scholars and professionals from Jordan to lecture in U.S. colleges and universities for one semester or one academic year.

The program assists U.S. higher education institutions in expanding programs of academic exchange. By supporting non-U.S. scholars through grants for teaching at institutions that might not have a strong international component, both the U.S. institution and the scholar grantee benefit.

Although preference is given to proposals in the humanities or social sciences, other fields focusing on international issues will be considered.

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

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a Fulbright program that brings accomplished mid-level professionals to the United States for a year of academic and professional work. The fellowship is a one-year program that combines non-degree graduate level academic work with professional development opportunities.  By providing future leaders and policy makers with experience in U.S. society, culture, and professional fields, the program provides a basis for lasting, productive ties between Americans and their professional counterparts overseas.  Fellows are nominated by the Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan based on demonstrated potential for leadership and commitment to public service.

Application deadline: Annual/spring. See the Fulbright Commission in Jordan website for more information.

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program is a 9-month non-degree program. Jordanian FLTA grantees teach Arabic language at U.S. universities while enrolling in two university courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. Studies. The remaining coursework should relate to their careers in English language teaching.

Jordanian teachers will experience living, studying, and teaching in the United States; speaking the English language on a daily basis; and meeting American and international students and professionals.  They will also have the ability to teach American students about Jordanian and Arabic heritage and culture.

Application deadline: Annual/spring. See the Fulbright Commission in Jordan website for more information.

 

Leadership Development Fellowship Description

The application is now open for the 2023 Leadership Development Fellowship (LDF) supported by the U.S. Department of State’s U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented by World Learning. The LDF Fellowship engages emerging leaders across sectors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in identifying innovative ways to address social and economic challenges in their local communities.

The LDF Fellowship advances participants’ civic engagement and social entrepreneurship by providing skills and knowledge, financial and professional resources, and regional support networks. Emerging leaders with an established track record in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply.

The LDF Fellowship is open to applicants between the ages of 28 and 35 with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and five years of civic engagement and/or social entrepreneurship experience. All applicants must be able to function comfortably in Arabic-speaking academic and professional environments, and applicants for the English track must also be able to function comfortably in English-speaking environments. Chosen participants must have both the capacity, ability, and commitment to immediately apply the experience gained throughout the LDF Fellowship in benefiting their existing work in local communities.

For more information about the requirements and selection criteria, please visit the LDF Fellowship page on MEPI’s website, or the LDF Fellowship’s frequently asked questions. The applications for the 2023 LDF Fellowship will be open between December 5, 2022, and January 16, 2023. For the latest updates and announcement, follow the LDF Facebook page and MEPI’s Facebook page. For questions and inquiries, please contact ldf@worldlearning.org.

The LDF Fellowship has 5 stages:

1. Stage One: Fellowship begins with two weeks of in-person workshops and trainings with World Learning and Duke University focused on: studying the systems that contribute to societal challenges; building effective partnerships for social change; and developing inclusive and equitable interventions.
2. Stage Two: Fellows refine interventions and complete exercises that provide local focus on systems analysis, inclusive interventions, building partnerships, and other acquired tools and knowledge from Stage One.
3. Stage Three: Fellows spend three weeks in the United States for the English Track (for high-proficiency English speakers), or Lebanon for the Arabic Track (for high-proficiency Arabic speakers), to gain academic and local insights into civic engagement and social entrepreneurship and to report and reflect on the findings of their Stage Two activities.
4. Stage Four: Over six months, Fellows apply the lessons of the LDF Fellowship and report on results to strengthen their ongoing civic and social entrepreneurial activities. During this stage, Fellows may apply for small grants or technical assistance.
5. Stage Five: In the twelfth month, the Fellows reconvene for three days to learn and share the impact of their LDF experience.

MEPI seeks emerging leaders who are innovators and problem-solvers, currently engaged in civic engagement or social entrepreneurship, can work in a cross-cultural setting, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and commit to applying the learning and skills built during the LDF Fellowship.

Those selected will come from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, organizations, and political affiliations. The LDF Fellowship does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical challenge or social status. We aim to create an inclusive and multicultural environment that allows all people to thrive.

Eligibility to Apply

1. Age: Applicants should be between 28 and 35 years of age.
2. Professional Experience: Applicants must have at least five years of professional work experience in a relevant field.
3. Civic Engagement and/or Social Entrepreneurship Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of five years of relevant Civic Engagement and/or Social Entrepreneurship experience.
4. Academic Background: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree.
5. English Fluency for the English Track: All eligible applicants wishing to apply for the English track must have strong written and oral English proficiency. All U.S.-based activities are conducted in English.
6. Arabic Fluency: All eligible applicants must have strong written and oral Arabic proficiency.
7. Participation: Applicants must be willing and able to participate fully in all five stages of the LDF Fellows will travel out of the MENA region for two weeks at the beginning of the fellowship, for three weeks to either the U.S. or Lebanon during Stage Three, and again for three days at the end of the fellowship.
8. Application: All eligible applicants must have the capacity and ability to immediately apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the LDF Fe
9. Eligible Countries: For eligible countries for the English Track and Arabic Track please refer to MEPI Website

Applications reviewed based on clearly defined criteria, including that the applicant:

• Demonstrate that they are emerging leaders with a strong commitment to affecting positive change in their communities;
• Demonstrate that they have already been actively engaged in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship for a minimum of five years;
• Demonstrate through practical examples their capacity to adapt to a multi-cultural environment and their ability to work collaboratively with a diverse cohort of peers regardless of their gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, political view, and socioeconomic status; and
• Demonstrate they can immediately apply the knowledge and skills gained during the 12-month LDF Fello

Accommodations during in-person engagements can include double-person rooms, dorm lodging, or shared two-bedroom apartments. An allowance will be provided during in-person engagements to help cover meals and incidentals. The cost of international and domestic travel, fellowship-related ground transportation, and other logistical arrangements will be covered by World Learning.

Leadership Development Fellowship – English Track

Strong written and oral English and Arabic proficiency is required of Fellows for the English track. Fellows travel to the U.S. during Stage Three of the LDF Fellowship and will converse about complex political and global issues with peers and experts in English. For eligible countries visit https://mepi.state.gov/

Fellows chosen to participate in the English Track of the LDF Fellowship will travel to the U.S. to attend a three-week academic and experiential experience focused on civic engagement and social entrepreneurship.

Leadership Development Fellowship – Arabic Track

Strong written and oral Arabic proficiency is required of Fellows for the Arabic track. Fellows travel to Lebanon during Stage Three of the LDF Fellowship and will need to converse about complex political and global issues with peers and experts in Arabic. For eligible countries visit https://mepi.state.gov/education/ldf/

Fellows chosen to participate in the Arabic Track of the LDF Fellowship will travel to Lebanon to attend a three-week academic and experiential experience focused on civic engagement and social entrepreneurship.

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging leaders in a variety of fields experience the United States firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests in key fields such as politics, government, media, arts, business, and education.

Each year, nearly 5,000 International Visitors visit the United States on the International Visitor Leadership Program. More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP since the program’s inception in 1940, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.

The IVLP consists of a variety of programs that last up to one month. There is no application for this program.  International Visitors are selected and nominated annually by American Foreign Service Officers at U.S. Embassies around the world. More can be found on the International Visitor Leadership Program webpage.

The International Writing Program at the University of Iowa brings approximately 35 emerging and recognized writers from around the world to Iowa City for an intensive 12-week cultural exchange.

IWP was founded in 1967 and is the most prestigious program of its kind in the United States.  The University of Iowa is also home to the world-renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and in 2008 Iowa City was designated the first UNESCO City of Literature in the United States.

The residency program convenes emerging and recognized writers from around the world for an intensive 12-week program designed to spur creativity, support professional development, and promote freedom of expression.

The IWP is open to established and emerging writers from any country working primarily in the genres of fiction, creative non-fiction, screenwriting, drama, and poetry.  Except in extraordinary cases, candidates should have at least one published volume of work or have works appearing in significant publications over a period of at least two years.  Nominees must be fluent in English, comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics, and eager to engage with other writers from diverse cultures.  Nominees must be adults between the age of 21 and 65, non-U.S. citizens who are able to travel to the United States and stay for the full 12 weeks.  Family members and others are not allowed to accompany the writers during the Fall Residency.

All USG-sponsored IWP candidates must be nominated by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please contact the Public Affairs Section at U.S. Embassy Amman if you would like to be considered for the IWP residency. Additional details about the program are available on the IWP website: http://iwp.uiowa.edu/.

The Between the Lines International Writing Program

Deadline to Apply: Tuesday, March 6, 2021

Between the Lines (BTL) is a creative writing summer program that will virtually host 40 writers, ages 15–18, from different countries alongside 10 U.S. peers for a two-week online program from July 10 to July 24, 2021. All program activities will be in English and will include synchronized writing workshops, world literature seminars, special literary events, and social opportunities for cultural exchange, as well as group and individual writing assignments outside of class. Upon the completion of the program, each participant will receive a certificate (PDF) and IWP will digitally publish the students’ writing as an anthology.

More program information is available on the International Writing Program website at: https://iwp.uiowa.edu/programs/between-the-lines.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be 15-18 years old as of July 2021
• Proficient in English (reading, writing, and speaking)
• Be comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics and interested in interaction with other international students
• Be committed to attending all sessions and creative writing workshops as part of the program;
• Be passionate about writing.

Please send PART I and PART II of the application to USAinJOExchanges@state.gov. (You can include your answers for PART II in the body of the email that you send to us.)

Part 1: All writing samples must be in English in .pdf, .doc, or .docx file format, with 12-point font and one-inch margins all around.

• Original creative prose (fiction and/or nonfiction) and/or poetry in English (6-8 pages). Book reports and other academic writing will not be accepted. You may submit one piece or several pieces of creative work to make the 6-8 page requirement.
• Prompt #1: The 2021 Between the Lines session will include discussion of identity as it relates to creative writing and the life of a writer. Please include your personal response to the following: In our daily lives, we navigate many different roles—student, sibling, daughter, son, peer. We negotiate family, friends, religious groups, as well as class, gender, race, country, and so many other groups, adjusting the way we speak or behave to fit the demands of each

In our daily lives, we navigate many different roles—student, sibling, daughter, son, peer. We negotiate family, friends, religious groups, as well as class, gender, race, country, and so many other groups, adjusting the way we speak or behave to fit the demands of each

encounter. As we move through the day, we work through how and why we occupy each particular role. What do you consider to be the strongest, most central aspects of your identity? What does it mean to you to be a member of (or seen as a member of) a particular group? In what way does your identity influence you as a creative writer and reader? (3 pages maximum)

• Prompt #2: An essential component of Between the Lines is encouraging participants to be vulnerable and explore the unfamiliar and unknown in a safe and supportive setting. At many points, whether in workshop or interpersonally, participants may feel out of their comfort zone. Please respond to the following: Describe a time in your past when you had to engage with a new situation, person, or idea that initially felt uncomfortable or strange. How did you proceed? If you had the chance, what would you do the same, and what would you do differently? (400 words maximum)
• Write a statement of purpose describing why creative writing is important in your life, and what you hope to learn through our BTL program. (250 words maximum)

Part 2

Participant information:

• Full name (as it appears on your passport)
• City and country of birth (as it appears on your passport)
• Gender
• City of residency
• Country of residency
• Country of citizenship
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Home address
• School grade level
• School name and address
• Previous travel, including U.S.
• Previous exchange programs and camps
• Awards, scholarships and honors
• Have you ever been a University of IOWA student?

Please email all complete applications to:

USAinJOExchanges@state.gov no later than March 6, 2021