The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign secondary school educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad. The program takes place over the course of five weeks beginning in June 2023. Three types of Institutes for Secondary Educators are offered – two with a focus on classroom teachers and the third with a focus on administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, and ministry of education officials, among others.
The focus of the Institutes will be on providing content and materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States. The four-week academic residencies will take place at U.S. universities, colleges, or other academic institutions and will consist of a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities. One-week study tours to a different region of the United States will complement the four-week academic residencies.
Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the programs will pivot to a modified virtual format.
Candidates for this program must:
- have citizenship and live in the Republic of Moldova at the time of application (permanent residents of the Transnistrian region may be considered regardless of citizenship)
- be eligible for a U.S. J-1 visa. Program participants must return to and reside in Moldova for two years after completion of their program;
- are mid-career educators, typically between the ages of 30-50;
- are highly motivated and experienced secondary school teachers and administrators;
- are individuals who are seeking to introduce or enhance aspects of U.S. studies into their curricula or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for education professionals in U.S. studies or related fields.
- have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
- have special interest in the secondary education as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties;
- have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component;
- be proficient in English.
Institute Description
- Institute for teachers which will explore American studies through the lens of democracy and citizenship. The institute will take place at the University of Montana in Missoula, MT.
- Institute for teachers which will explore the ways in which individual rights and social obligations have evolved through American history. The institute will take place at the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts.
- Institute for Administrators and will focus on sociocultural understanding, equitable learning communities, and diversity and inclusion in U.S. education and society. The institute will take place at California State University at Chico.
How to apply
To apply please complete the online application here (https://forms.office.com/g/qDyMSAJxSj)
Application deadline is November 15th.
For more information, please visit: https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/study-us-institutes
If you have questions, please write to: education-moldova@state.gov
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Who will pay for the program? The scholarship is fully funded by U.S. people and the U.S. government.
What does scholarship cover and how much money will I need to bring? The scholarship covers all basic costs: housing, health benefits (medical insurance), meals, small stipend, international air travel to and from the U.S. and domestic travel to required program events.
I have been to the U.S. before. Am I still eligible? Yes. Participants with very minimal experience in the United States may be considered for the program. However, priority will be given to nominees with no previous experience in the United States.
How will I book my ticket? The program will arrange economy class round trip international travel for each selected participant. The host institution will cover all travel within the United States during the Institute.
Can a graduate student participate in this Institute? No. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators are designed exclusively for postgraduate, mid-career applicants, typically between the ages of 30-50.
What degree of English proficiency does the program require? All participants must be fully proficient in English. You will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English throughout the Institute.
How intense is the program? This is an intensive program; the participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings.
How much free time will I have during the program? There will be some free time during the program. However, you MUST understand that this is an intensive academic program, and you are expected to fully participate in all lectures, activities, site visits, and scheduled events.
Can I miss one part or component of the Institute? All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities.
Where will I live? When possible, each participant will have a private room that might include shared bathroom with another participant of the same gender. However, private room accommodations are not guaranteed
Are meals provided during the program? Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.
Can family members accompany me? Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program.
Will I have time to visit relatives or friends that may live in the United States during the program? No, you will NOT be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends. Occasionally it is possible for a relative or friend to visit the participant on a specific day designated during the Institute, if the schedule permits. These situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Can I arrive early or stay in the U.S. after the Institute? No, participants may NOT arrive in the United States before the program start date or remain in the country after the close of the Institute.
What about my health insurance? All participants will receive medical coverage in case of emergency for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
What happens if I test positive for COVID-19? Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) and host institution guidelines.
I have a disability. Can I still apply? Yes, the SUSI welcomes nominations for individuals with disabilities. We ask that you identify disabilities during the nomination process so that we can begin working with our partners to ensure appropriate accommodations.
I’m a Moldovan citizen and for the last year (or more) I’ve been living abroad. But my permanent residence is in Moldova. Am I eligible for the program? One of the qualifications requirements is to have citizenship of the Republic of Moldova and permanent residence in the country. Permanent residence in program terms means that candidate is living and working in Moldova at the moment of application and during the whole process of selection.
What does it mean to be eligible for J1 visa? To qualify for a J visa, an applicant must show that they meet the qualifications for the exchange program, have no visa ineligibilities, and overcome the presumption of being an intending immigrant by sufficiently demonstrating strong ties to their home country that will compel them to leave the United States at the end of their temporary stay.
If I am selected, will there be a predeparture session? Yes, there will be virtual pre-departure orientation sessions and the participants are required to have access to a computer and a stable internet connection.
