MEPI Student Leaders Program: Seeking Nominations from Tunisia

Deadline: 31 December 2016

NEA/AC’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program is seeking nominations from Tunisia for potential participants in the MEPI Student Leaders Program scheduled to take place in summer 2017. The program will last approximately six to eight weeks, from June 25 – August 5, 2017.

The program will include coursework/trainings as well as field visits to complement and reinforce the concepts explored in the trainings. Upon completion of the U.S.-based programs, host institutes work with participants to implement civic engagement programs in their home communities.

It is anticipated that participants will arrive and depart through Washington, D.C. in order to participate in U.S. Department of State welcome and farewell ceremonies and informational briefings and debriefings.

Themes

A comparative analysis of leadership styles;
Consensus-building, conflict resolution, individual and collective problem-solving, and group dynamics;
The role of civil society;
Public speaking;
Job-seeking skills.

Eligibility Criteria

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. The program seeks a gender-balanced pool of candidates and those from traditionally underserved regions. Ideal candidates for the MEPI Student Leaders Program:

Are 20 to 24 years of age;
Demonstrate strong English language skills needed to participate in a U.S. academic program;
Are committed to returning to their home country/community following completion of the program;
Exhibit strong leadership potential;
Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
Have a sustained high level of academic achievement;
Demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement;
Have no prior travel experience in the United States and limited study or travel experience outside their home country;
Are willing and able to participate fully in intensive academic, community service, and educational travel activities;
Are comfortable with campus life, sharing living accommodations while traveling with a multinational group of participants from the Middle East and North Africa region and with U.S. citizens, and making adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home countries/communities;
Are comfortable spending part of Ramadan and Eid in the United States.