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Deadline: 29 November 2019
The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is seeking applications for its 2020 Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP), a three-week exchange program in the United States for high school students aged 15-18 years old.
The Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program will target as many as 39 countries to support the U.S. government goals of fostering regional cooperation on the continent in addition to nurturing young leaders. The program will provide an opportunity for high school students from Zambia to travel to the U.S. to participate in leadership programs. The program will take place from April 4 to 25, 2020.
During the exchanges, participants will engage in workshops on leadership and service, community site visits related to the program themes and sub themes, interactive training, presentations, visits to high schools, local cultural activities, and home stays with local American families. Follow-on activities with the participants are an integral part of the program, as the students apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired by planning service projects in their home communities.
Profile of the ideal candidate
The youth participants will be high school students aged 15 to 18 years old at the start of the exchange who demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
Eligibility Criteria
Students must:
- Be a high school student who is 15, 16, 17, or 18 years of age by the start of the exchange;
- Be proficient in English;
- Attend at least one semester of high school in their home country following completion of the program;
- Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
- Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their school or community;
- Have a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
- Demonstrate a commitment to community service and extracurricular activities;
- Have had 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 program, community service, and active educational travel program during the exchange, as well as in follow-up activities afterward in their home countries.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their applications at the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit https://zm.usembassy.gov/education-culture/educational-professional-exchange-programs/