CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
2008 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TRANSATLANTIC FELLOWS
INITIATIVE:
SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR YOUTH
The U.S. Embassy in
The Summer Institutes enable
teenagers aged 15-19 to participate in an intensive exchange program in the
U.S. that focuses on the global issues that youth face on both sides of the
Atlantic Ocean. This initiative is
intended to foster relationships among the younger generations of Europeans,
Central Asians, and Americans in light of the global challenges of the 21st
Century. The specific goals of the
Institutes are to develop a commitment to transatlantic cooperation; to foster
relationships between American, Central Asian, and European youth from
different ethnic, religious, and national groups; to promote mutual
understanding between the United States and Europe/Eurasia; and to develop a
cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their
peers through positive action.
Students will explore how young
people today interact with the media, both as consumers and producers of
information, and how freedom of expression imposes both rights and
responsibilities on citizens. Young
people increasingly rely on mass communication to learn about the world they
inhabit. Mass media supplies not only
factual information, but expresses also expresses cultural preferences,
promotes value systems, and fuels commerce through advertising and product
placement. The Institute will provide
students with a new transatlantic perspective on their learning and
U.S-Europe/Eurasia perceptions of each other, as well as the broader media
culture. Activities will include
leadership and media training, collaborative project development, community
service, educational travel, and plans for follow-on activities.
There will be two institutes in
the summer of 2008, with approximately 45 students each. Each institute will include up to 35 European
and Eurasian students plus 10 Americans.
Institute A, called "The Founders," takes
place June 28 to July 23, 2008, and is designed for participants aged 15-17. Institute B, called "The Diplomats,"
takes place July 5 to July 30, 2008, and is designed for participants aged
17-19. The Institutes will take place at
The Ideal Candidate
The U.S. Embassy is looking for
students with the following qualifications: (1) between 15 and 19 years of age
at time of the Institute, (2) highly proficient in English, (3) committed to enrolling in high school or
university in their home countries in fall 2007, (4) demonstrated strong
leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations, (5) indications
of a serious interest in learning about the United States, (6) sustained high
level of academic achievement, (7) a demonstrated commitment to community and
extracurricular activities, (8) little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience
in the United States, (9) mature, responsible, independent, confident,
open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive, (10) and comfortable with
campus life, shared living accommodations, travel and interaction with a
multinational, coed group of participants from Europe, Eurasia, and the U.S.,
and comfortable with engaging various Americans in the broader community, while
being able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of
their home countries.
Application Format, to be completed in a Word document:
A. Last (family) name as on passport;
B. First name as on passport;
C. Middle name(s) as on passport;
D. Date of birth (month/day/year);
E. City of birth;
F. Country of birth;
G. Country of residence;
H. Country of citizenship;
I. Gender;
J. Position (Choose from "Secondary School
Student", "University Undergraduate Student", or "
K. Applicant’s full address (include apartment
number, street, city, state, and postal zone);
L. Home telephone number (cell phone number if
any);
M. E-mail address(es);
N. Medical, physical, dietary or other personal
considerations (please note, no physical examination is required to participate
in the program);
O. Name of applicant’s high school or
college/university;
P. Applicant’s field of study (if applicable);
Q. Other educational, academic and professional
experience or training. Please also note
any special honors or awards received;
R. Work experience, including positions and
titles (if applicable);
S. Active memberships;
T. Special interests and extracurricular
activities;
U. Previous travel and study experience in the
V. Evidence of competence in written and oral
English (e.g., personal interview, test score, etc.);
W. Future study or career plans;
X. Leave blank;
Y. Leave blank;
Z. Mailing address for express mail deliveries.
Applicants are also expected to
submit a one-page personal essay highlighting why she or he should be selected
to participate in the Institutes.
Deadline for applications:
February 8, 2008. Please send all
applications electronically to: pdbulgaria@gmail.com. Short-listed applicants will be contacted and
invited for an interview at the