The U.S. Embassy in Moldova announces a competition for students aged 18 to participate in the 2016 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative: Summer Institutes for Youth. This program will take place June 25 to July 23, 2016 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the United States of America.
The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative is named after the legendary American statesman and diplomat Benjamin Franklin in honor of the inspiration his life and career provide to those working to strengthen transatlantic cooperation.
The goals of the Institute are:
- to develop a commitment to transatlantic cooperation;
- to foster relationships between American and European youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups; and
- to develop a cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action.
The Summer Institute will enable teenagers to participate in an intensive, four-week exchange program in the United States that focuses on global issues facing both European and American youth. The Institute will focus primarily on an exploration of issues through interactive activities, practical experiences, and other hands-on opportunities. Participants will learn more about democratic practices, volunteer service, conflict resolution, problem solving, communication skills, critical thinking, tolerance and respect for diversity, youth leadership, team building, and the media. The Institute also explores how freedom of expression both provides rights to and imposes responsibilities on citizens. Fellows will participate in a variety of activities such as training sessions, workshops, community-based programs, study tours, and cultural events. Community service activities, social and cultural activities, and homestays with American families will deepen the Fellows’ experience of U.S. society during their exchange.
After the Institute, in addition to implementing service projects in their home communities, the Fellows will present what they have learned as well as an alumni project plan to a youth-serving or youth-centered organization in their home country. These may include U.S. Mission Youth Councils, American Corners or American Spaces, and exchange alumni associations.
The program is funded by the U.S. Government and provides a full scholarship for participants, which covers visa, travel, lodging, food, educational materials, and ground transportation expenses. The selection process is merit-based, and will be conducted by U.S. Embassy officials.
Interested candidates should:
- be age 18 as of June 25, 2016;
- be citizens of Moldova;
- have the academic aptitude for a program of this nature (at least 8.00 academic averages);
- be committed to enrolling in a Moldovan high school or university in fall 2016, following completion of the Institute;
- have little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience;
- meet the requirements of receiving and maintaining a U.S. visa;
- demonstrate strong leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
- indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
- demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
- have personal qualities needed to be successful participants, including: maturity, strong social skills, flexibility, open-mindedness, ability to adapt to a new environment;
- be highly proficient in English.
To participate in the competition, interested candidates should e-mail the following documents to speakersmoldova@state.gov, no later than March 11, 2016, 16:00:
- A letter of interest (in English, 2 pages max);
- CV (in English, 2 pages max) ;
- A letter of recommendation (in English);
- Copy of one of the following: your birth certificate, ID or international passport;
- An official copy of your school records for the first semester of the current academic year and final grades for the previous academic year.
Selected candidates will be invited for a final interview.
For additional information, please e-mail speakersmoldova@state.gov
