Program Details

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I. Program Description

The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Brazil is an 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 principal objective of the institute is to heighten the participants' awareness of the history and evolution of U.S. society, culture, values and institutions, broadly defined. In this context, the institute will incorporate a focus on contemporary American life, as it is shaped by historical and/or current political, social, and economic issues and debates. The role and influence of principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual rights, freedom of expression, equality, diversity and tolerance will also be addressed.

In addition to promoting a better understanding of the United States, an important objective of the institute is to develop the participants' leadership and collective problem-solving skills. In this context, the academic program will include group discussions, training and exercises that focus on such topics as the essential attributes of leadership, teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, and management skills for diverse organizational settings. There will also be a community service component, in which the students experience firsthand how not-for-profit organizations and volunteerism play a key role in American civil society.

Local site visits and educational travel will provide opportunities to observe varied aspects of American life and to discuss lessons learned in the academic program. The program will also include opportunities for participants to meet American citizens from a variety of backgrounds, to interact with their American peers, and to speak to appropriate student and civic groups about their experiences and life in their home countries.

Other Essential Program Information:

A. Program Funding:

The U.S. Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration; international and domestic travel and ground transportation; books; cultural programs, and incidental allowances; housing and subsistence.

B. Housing and Meal Arrangements:

Housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Participants may be expected to share a room and bathroom with another student of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing and medical care are satisfied.

C. Health Insurance:

All participants will receive the Department of State's coverage of $50,000 with a $25 deductible for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

D. Program Requirements and Restrictions:

Participants are expected to participate fully in the program. They are expected to attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Candidates should be aware that the program is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. This should not be viewed as a research program. Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants on any part of the program. Similarly, participants will not be allowed to leave the program to visit relatives or friends while in the U.S.

Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the U.S. prior to the start date of the program or remain in the U.S. after its end date. Violations of host institution rules or local, state or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. It is important that these requirements and restrictions be clear before applications are submitted.

E. English Language Ability:

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.

F. U.S. Visa:

The Embassy will facilitate applications for a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. Selected applicants are responsible for obtaining a valid Brazilian passport.

Candidate Description and Qualifications:

  1. Candidates should 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 will include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.
  2. Candidates must have strong speaking and reading skills in English, to be demonstrated by test scores described below.
  3. Candidates with little or no prior experience in the U.S. or elsewhere outside of Brazil are encouraged to apply.
  4. Candidates from all regions of Brazil are encouraged to apply.
  5. Preference will be given to 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 Brazil. We encourage applications of candidates from underserved communities, including indigenous, Afro-Brazilian and other ethnic groups.

Candidates selected for this program will:

Other Factors for Consideration:

Please be advised that this program is highly competitive. The following factors will be used in selecting participants. The clarity with which an applicant addresses each of these factors will strongly influence a candidate's chance of selection.

• Personal Statement:
In order to get a better sense of potential participants' motivations and goals, the Department of State requests that each applicant provide a short personal statement (maximum one page) indicating why he or she is interested in participating in the program and what he or she expects to get out of the experience.

• Future Study or Career Plans:
This statement will provide additional perspective on how the program will benefit the student. (Maximum one paragraph)

• English Language Ability:
It is imperative that all candidates demonstrate English language fluency. This is a rigorous and demanding program; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to be full and active participants in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in this program. • Academic achievement: Your university transcript and any special academic honors received.
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