An Exchange Program for American and Iraqi High School Students and Adults to the U.S.

الأربعاء ١٥ - مايو - ٢٠٢٤ ١٢:٢٧ مساءً

English | عربي

اضيف الخبر في يوم الإثنين ٢٨ - ديسمبر - ٢٠٠٩ ١٢:٠٠ صباحاً.

IRAQI YOUNG LEADERS EXCHANGE PROGRAM (IYLEP)

An Exchange Program for American and Iraqi High School Students and Adults to the U.S.

A program of the U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Baghdad

Administered in the United States by World Learning in partnership with America’s Development Foundation

July-August, 2010

Program Introduction and Application Instructions:

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Programis a four week youth leadership exchange based in the U.S. for Iraqi and American teenagers ages 15-18 and several Iraqi adults. The program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Iraq and the United States who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, an awareness of current & global issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups in Iraq, and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and Iraq. Participants will begin their program in Brattleboro, VT at the SIT Graduate Institute, spend two weeks with host families across the U.S and conclude the final program segment, a civic education week in Washington, DC, which will allow the students to use Washington as an experiential classroom, integrating what they have learned in the previous month with the sights and experiences within the nation’s capitol. Program dates of the exchange are: July/August, 2010 (exact dates to be determined). Participants will be required to implement follow-on activities upon their return home that will help the participants stay in touch with each other and reflect on their experiences and integrate that learning into their day-to-day lives at home. An important goal of the program is that the student leaders, now empowered, will train other student leaders through student led community oriented service projects.

The goals of the program are:

1) enable the participants to understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy;

2) develop leadership skills among high school students and adult leaders appropriate to their needs;

3) foster understanding and build relationships across ethnic, religious, and national groups; and

4) promote mutual understanding between the people of Iraq and the U.S.

What is covered?

There is no application fee for applicants.

The United States Government, in conjunction with its private partners, will pay for international transportation to and from the United States, orientations, program and visa fees and administration, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and

sickness insurance, and a modest amount of pocket money. Participants will stay with volunteer host families and in conference centers.

Participants are responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), passport fees, and spending money for souvenirs and other items in the United States.

Who is eligible to apply?

Adult applicants must ….

be active in working with youth in either a high school or community setting;
be willing to spend four weeks in the United States;
be willing and able to meet periodically with selected students from in their city/region, during the academic year 2010-2011 to support and monitor their follow-up work;

be proficient in English;
submit a complete application, including photograph and letters of recommendation (letter of recommendation and information sheet attached);

What are the criteria for selection?

Adult applicants will be evaluated on the following factors: