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2023 SUSI on Civic Engagement for Student Leaders (Botswana)

Deadline: 19-Sep-22

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to invite third- and fourth-year undergraduate students with civic engagement acumen to apply for the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) on Civic Engagement for Student Leaders.

SUSI for Student Leaders is U.S. Department of State-funded exchange program that started in 2003 targeting students in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The Civic Engagement institute will be hosted by the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) at the University of Washington in coordination with Meridian International Center from January 10 – February 15, 2023. Depending on health, safety, and travel conditions, the program may pivot to a virtual format. The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone has been granted four places for Batswana.SUSI for Student Leaders are a five-week 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. Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, Institutes have converted to a hybrid format with virtual and in-person components. Each Institute will include a virtual academic residency and an integrated in-person experience of approximately two weeks at the host institution in the United States. The U.S. component will be organized taking into consideration all necessary safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state, local, and campus authorities.

The exchange program will provide participants with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups. The academic program will define civic engagement, examine its development in the United States; and explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism. Academic sessions will be complemented with hands-on sessions or workshops designed to build skills in the topics mentioned above. The Institute will encourage participants to develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged citizens in their own communities.

Eligibility Criteria
  • 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. Participants from historically underserved and disadvantaged groups, including women, minority communities, and individuals with disabilities, and who have little or no international experience are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants of this program must:
    • be proficient in English.
    • be interested in the topic of civic engagement.
    • be between 18 and 25 years of age.
    • have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies and be committed to returning 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 recommendations.
    • 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.
    • if the program is conducted in-person, be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

For more information, visit https://bw.usembassy.gov/call-for-applications-2023-study-of-the-u-s-institutes-susi/