U.S. Department of State: 2018 MEPI Student Leaders Program

Deadline: 14 December 2017

The U.S. Department of State is inviting applicants for its 2018 MEPI Student Leaders Program that 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.

Students are divided up among U.S. academic institutions where they develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society, as well as the democratic process and how both may be applied in their home communities. Participants have the opportunity to meet their American peers, engage in local community service activities, and observe and take part in the governmental process on the local, state, and federal levels.

Benefit

Expenses for the U.S. program are fully paid by the U.S. Department of State.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold citizenship of Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, or Libya; Applicants cannot hold U.S. citizenship and cannot be a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident.

Must have ability to participate in the program in the USA in late June 2018;
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 the 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;
Demonstrate 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 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; 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;
Preference will be given to those who have no prior travel experience in the United States or Canada and limited to no 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; and
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 any accompanying friends or family members.