CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

2019 STUDY OF THE U.S. INSTITUTE (SUSI)

FOR STUDENT LEADERS ON SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago is seeking outstanding Chilean university students to participate in a short-term academic exchange program to learn how entrepreneurial skills can address social issues.  Program dates are January 12 to February 16, 2019.  The Institute will host a group of up to 20 students from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The Institute will be conducted in English and will be hosted at the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Application forms must be completed online at http://bit.ly/2CjK7B0 Any supplemental documents (concentración de notas and awards) must be sent in ONE email to USChileExchanges@state.gov. Deadline for applying is 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.  Applications received after this deadline will NOT be accepted.

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.  Their fields of study will be varied and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.  We encourage  participants from both rural and urban areas, and with little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country.

Preference will be given to students who have graduated from public or private subsidized schools; are studying under “gratuidad” or have financial aid (becas), and have had minimum exposure to the U.S.

Candidates nominated for this program will:

• Be proficient in English

• Be interested in the topic of Social Entrepreneurship

• 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 and awards

• 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.

Program Description:

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.  The five-week Institutes 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 Institutes 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 four-week academic residency will provide participants with an overview of how entrepreneurial skills can address social issues.  The Institute will review the development, history, challenges, and successes of social enterprises and community leaders, in the United States and globally.  The program will give participants a foundation in how to employ entrepreneurial skills to address social issues and will provide unique opportunities to meet with diverse community leaders and social entrepreneurs.  The Institute will address topics such as organizational development and management, business ethics, negotiations, emerging markets and risk analysis, microfinance, corporate social responsibility, strategic business planning and innovation, and women and minorities in entrepreneurship.  The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S.  Throughout the Institute, participants will meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field.  They will also be challenged to create follow up community projects to implement in their home communities upon returning to their countries of origin.

Other core components of the Institute include leadership development, community service, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.  Participants will engage with Americans on campus and will participate in a weekend homestay.

Other Essential Program Information:

A. What is Covered: Participant costs, including program administration; visas; domestic travel and ground transportation; books, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.  Applicants will be responsible for acquiring and paying for their own passport.

B. Housing and Meal Arrangements: Participants will reside at the ITD House, an 11-bedroom home situated in the center of Amherst, MA and a 10-minute walk from Amherst College campus.  Most meals will be provided at the Amherst College dinning commons, though some meals will be provided by the program, and participants will also receive per diem that they can use to go out to local restaurants.  Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.

C. Health Benefits: 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.

D. 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. The Institute is intensive, and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.

Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start date of the Institute or remain in the United States after its end date. Similarly, participants will not be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the United States. If a relative or friend wishes to visit them, it will be addressed on a case by case basis, in consultation with ECA and the program director.

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

E. English Language Ability: English language proficiency is a requirement to participate in this program. The program will be conducted in English.  The Institute is a rigorous and demanding program; participants will be expected to handle short reading assignments in English and to be full and active participants in all seminar and panel discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) What degree of English proficiency should a nominee have? All participants must be fully proficient in English; throughout the Institute they will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English.

2) Can a nominee who is a dual citizen (U.S. and country of origin) participate in Study of the U.S. Institutes? No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are NOT eligible to participate in this program.

3) How much free time will a participant have during the program? There will be some free time during the program.  However, nominees MUST understand that this is an intensive academic program and they are expected to fully participate in all lectures, activities, and scheduled events.

4) If a nominee has relatives in the U.S., would s/he have time to see them? Participants will NOT be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends.  Occasionally, it is possible for a relative or friend to visit the participant on a specific day designated by the host institution if the schedule permits.  These situations will be addressed on a case by case basis in consultation with the ECA program officer and the host institution.

5) Can a participant arrive early/late or stay after the Institute? No. Participants who choose to travel to the United States on a Study of the U.S. program are required to abide by the terms and conditions of the program.  These terms state clearly that student leaders may NOT arrive in the United States before the program start date or remain in the country after the close of the institute.

6) Can a graduate student participate in this Institute? No. Study of the U.S. Institutes are designed exclusively for undergraduate students.

7) Can a participant miss one part or component of the Institute? No. All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities.

How much money will participants need to bring for the program? The Study of the U.S. Institute covers all costs of an individual’s participation including transportation, lodging, and meals.  Generally, host institutions provide for meals through a combination of a cafeteria meal plan and cash allowance to permit participants to cook or eat at local restaurants.  Information on housing and meal arrangements will be provided by the host institution six weeks prior to the start of the Institute. Participants should bring their own spending money if they wish to purchase souvenirs or other items during their time in the United States.

9) Can a student who participated in the English Access Microscholarship Program or Youth Ambassadors Program participate in this Institute? Yes