Deadline: 14 December 2017
The U.S. Department of State’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 2018. The program will last from June 25 – August 4, 2018.
Approximately 60 students from across the region are expected to make up the 2018 Student Leaders cohort. The Department will assign each Student Leader candidate to a host university, making every effort to ensure geographic diversity in the placement process.
The Student Leaders program is an intensive 5-week training program in four U.S.-based universities for about 60 undergraduate and graduate students (age 20-24) from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Students learn about leadership, civil society, and government processes and how they may apply these skills in their home countries. The program also offers outstanding undergraduate and graduate students from across the MENA region an intensive leadership training course. Students attend U.S. academic institutions where they develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society and participatory governance and how both may be applied in their home communities.
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 the inclusion of those from traditionally underserved regions. Ideal candidates for the MEPI Student Leaders Program:
- Are 20 to 24 years of age as of the program start date of June 25, 2018 and end date of August 4, 2018 (birthdates falling between August 4, 1994 and June 25, 1998);
- 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;
- Are not a third country national of the nominating country;
- Have a sustained high level of academic achievement and are currently attending an undergraduate or graduate program; have graduated from an undergraduate program within 6 months or less from the program start date of June 25, 2018; or will commence graduate studies in the fall 2018 semester in their home country; and will not be commencing study in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in the USA during the fall 2018 USA academic semester;
- Demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement;
- Have no prior travel experience in the United States or Canada 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 living with another program participant of the same sex in a shared room as well as traveling to the USA and participating in the program without friends or family.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted online via given website.
For more information, please visit 2018 MEPI Student Leaders Program.