Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for High School Students

Iraqi Young Leaders

 Exchange Program for High School Students

A program sponsored and funded by The U.S. Embassy, Baghdad, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Youth Programs Division

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

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for High School Students is pleased to extend this opportunity to talented young leaders from Iraq for a summer leadership program in the United States.

Program Dates July – August 2010

World Learning Application Deadline

Final: January 15, 2010

Please apply online to the ADF website at http://www.adfusa.org

Program Introduction and Application Instructions:

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program is 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.  Students 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?

Student applicants must…..

• be at least 15 years old and not more than 18 years old at the time of the exchange (birth years between (June 30, 1992-June 30, 1995);

• have a high school graduation year of 2010/2011 or later;
• have permission from either a parent or legal guardian to participate in the four-week camp program, approximately to begin in July of 2010;
• Citizenship and current residency in Iraq  (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered.); and
• submit a complete application, essays, including photograph and letters of recommendation;

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, statement of interest, including photograph and letters of recommendation.

What are the criteria for selection?

**Students will be evaluated on the following characteristics:

• a demonstrated interest in and commitment to volunteer and civic activities;
• ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and tolerate the opinions of others;
• leadership potential;
• be proficient in English;
• good social and communication skills;
• good academic performance;
• an energetic, positive attitude; and
• ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and/or community.

**Adult applicants will be evaluated on the following factors:

• a demonstrated interest in and commitment to service in their local regions;

• demonstrated history of supporting youth activities;
• strong record in teaching and/or youth programs;
• demonstrated leadership ability;

• ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups of students and peers and tolerate the opinions of others; and 

• commitment to working with youth after the project to help them implement projects.

**Preference will be given to participants who have not been to the United States before.

If selected…

§  The selected participants should immediately apply for their Iraqi G passport if they do not have one already; and

§  Additional information and materials will be provided by WL and ADF.