Pakistan: SUSI Student Leaders – Comparative Public Policymaking Program 2020

Deadline: 17 December 2019

Undergraduate students from Pakistan interested in the topic of Local, State, and Federal Public Policymaking are invited to apply for participation in the Study of the United States Institute for Student Leaders.

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. Institutes consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. Coursework and classroom activities are complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community.

The six-week Institute on Comparative Public Policymaking for Student Leaders from Pakistan will be hosted by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute in Amherst, MA. The program will bring together 30 Pakistani undergraduate students with up to 15 U.S. students to address issues of public policy and democracy in the United States and comparing U.S. policy with that of Pakistan.

Benefits

Program Funding: Program organizers will cover participant costs including: program administration; international and domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.
Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in university housing on campus. Participants may be expected to share a room and bathroom with another student of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at the campus dining hall where Halal food is served. It is important that nominees are aware of these arrangements and that they are comfortable with such accommodations.
Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay for the duration of the program. Pre-existing 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 aware that the Institute is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.

Eligibility Criteria

The 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.

Candidates applying for this program should:

be proficient in English;
be interested in the topic of local, state, and federal public policymaking;
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 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; 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.