Deadline: 22 September 2019
The Fulbright Commission in Chile, on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, is seeking applications from outstanding Chilean university students to participate in a short-term academic exchange program to learn how entrepreneurial skills can address social issues.
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.
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 consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities are complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. The Institutes include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic study tour of approximately one week. During the academic residency, participants 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 Arizona. 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.
Program Dates
January 11 until February 15, 2020.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidate applications now being accepted from 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.
- 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, awards, and teacher recommendation;
- 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:
- What is Covered: participant costs, including program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence. Applicants are responsible for acquiring and paying for their own passport.
- 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 the 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 dine at local restaurants. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.
- Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit for the duration of the program. Preexisting conditions are not covered.
- Program Requirements and Restrictions: Participants are expected to fully participate in the academic program. They should attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Candidates should be made aware that the Institute is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.
- English Language Ability: English Language knowledge and/or proficiency are required to participate in this program. All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program. Interviews will be conducted in English.
How to Apply
Interested can apply online via given website.
For more information, please visit https://cl.usembassy.gov/2020-study-of-the-u-s-institute-susi-for-student-leaders-on-social-entrepreneurship/