FY-2012 Study of the United States Institutes for Students Leaders

Deadline: November 13, 2011

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that recruitment is opened for candidates for the FY-2012 Study of the United States for Student Leaders interested in the topic of Global Environmental Issues. The program will take place over the course of five weeks in July and August, 2012, for a group of students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders are intensive 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. The institute will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel to other parts of the United States, local site visits, and volunteer opportunities. The institute will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic travel component of approximately one week that will conclude with a 2-3 day program in Washington, D.C.
The Study of the U.S Institute on Global Environmental Issues will explore the role that environmental policy has played in the economic and political development of the U.S. The institute will use experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current themes in the field, including natural resource management, sustainable development/agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, energy generation (new and traditional forms), and water management and treatment. The Institute might also examine the relationship between environmental security and national security.
All candidates should be proficient in English so that they can be an active participant in the academic program. Host institutions will take into account that the level of comprehension and speaking ability of students may vary, and will prepare lectures and discussions that meet the highest academic standards while using language appropriate for students where English is their second or third language. 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. Candidates will have a strong interest in the environment and may come from vary fields of study and will include Agriculture, Biology, Ecotourism, Engineering, Environmental Law, Environment Science, International Affairs, Public Policy and Sustainable Development. Participants from non-elite backgrounds, from both rural and urban sectors, and with little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country are encouraged to apply for this program.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• have a strong interest in the environment
• be fluent in English with minimum TOEFL score of 500 or 61 on Internet-based TOEFL or higher
• be typically 25 years of age or younger
• first to third year undergraduate students
• be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of their institute program
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities especially in environmental issues
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated in grades, awards, and teacher recommendations
• have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular university activities
• have had 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 program 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.

Application Instruction

The application form is available here (DOC - 87 KB).  Interested applicants must submit completed applications and supporting documents, including transcripts and two recommendation letters from your school and your social activity institution no later than November 13, 2011.  For further information on this program, Mr. Bun Sambath at the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, No.1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, call 023-728-683 or email to bunsa@state.gov.
Applicants who do not already have an official TOEFL score of 500 or above should plan to take the TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP) on October 29, 2011 or November 5, 2011 at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Registration for the ITP is available through the Educational Advising Center at RUPP from Monday-Friday, at 023-884-320.