The 2023 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders from Europe
Topic: Journalism and Media
Application Deadline: November 27, 2022, at 23:59.
The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo is pleased to announce a call for the applications for the summer 2023 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders from the Europe on Journalism and Media. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders are intensive academic (5 week) programs hosted by the U.S. universities 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 Institutes consist of a four-week academic residency with a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. Site visits, leadership development, cultural activities, and community service complement the coursework and academic sessions. If conditions allow, the Institutes will include a one-week integrated regional study tour in the United States. Note that if the program must take place virtually, participants will engage in similar activities, but online from their home countries.
INSTITUTE DESCRIPTION
The Study of the U.S. Institute on Journalism and Media hosted by Arizona State University, will provide participants with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities for modern journalism. The Institute will examine freedom of expression in democracy, leveraging multimedia tools, and exploring the role of journalists in promoting media literacy and preventing disinformation. Academic sessions will examine First Amendment rights, fundamentals of multimedia journalism, compelling storytelling, editorial independence, journalistic ethics, legal constraints, civic journalism, media literacy, and digital and social media. The Institute will encourage participants to analyze future trends in media as well as gain practical experience in the tradecraft of journalism, including building trust, interviewing, researching, writing, reporting, and editing. In addition to classroom activities, participants will meet with local news outlets.
CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
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. Their fields of study will be varied and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields. Participants from historically underserved groups, including women, minority communities, and individuals with disabilities, and who have little or no international experience will be given priority.
Potential candidates for this program need to:
- demonstrate English language proficiency (speaking, reading, writing, listening);
- have an interest in the Institute topic;
- be between 18 and 25 years of age;
- have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies (after the end of summer 2023), and be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of the program;
- demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
- indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
- have sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
- demonstrate commitment to community service and extracurricular university activities;
- have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of Europe;
- 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; and
- be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.
OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
Program Requirements and Restrictions: Candidates should be aware that they are applying for an intensive and rigorous academic institute and are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the program. Participants must attend all lectures, participate in all required organized activities, and complete all assignments. Due to the intensive nature of the program, participants should not expect to fulfill professional or academic obligations, including remote work for jobs or internships, classwork, or examinations for their home university, while in the United States. Doing so will count as an unexcused absence from program activities. Family members and/or friends may not accompany or join participants for any part of the program.
Program Funding: All participation costs are covered by the SUSI program.
Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be shared or single university dorms on campus or full-service hotels within walking distance of most classroom activities. Male and female participants will be housed in separate quarters. In addition to regular group meals and a university meal plan, participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. It is important that nominees are aware of these arrangements and that they are comfortable with such accommodations.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Please fill in the application with all the required information. Applications should be emailed to PristinaSUSI@state.gov as one PDF document.
Only applications submitted in the required format and marked subject line: 2023 SUSI for Young Leaders Application will be reviewed. Additional supporting documents such as scanned copies of grade transcripts and reference letters are preferred.
Download the Application Form here.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 27, 2022, at 23:59