Benjamin Franklin Initiative
Summer Institute for Youth: 2013 Scholarship
Opportunity!
Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow
2013 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
TRANSATLANTIC FELLOWS SUMMER INSTITUTE
The U.S. Embassy in Athens is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for a Greek student, aged 16-18 years, to be a Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow for a four-week program in the U.S. in July 2013.
The four-week program, which will take place during the month of July, will accommodate 50-60 students: 40-50 European students plus 10 Americans, aged 16 to 18. Institute activities will include discussions of global issues of common interest, leadership and media training, collaborative project development, community service, educational travel, and plans for follow-on activities. Specific information about dates and location will be confirmed later.
About the Benjamin Franklin Initiative
The institute intends to foster relationships among the younger generations
of Europeans and Americans to promote awareness of shared values in light of
the global challenges of the 21st Century.
The initiative is named after the
legendary American statesman and diplomat Benjamin Franklin in honor of the
inspiration his own life and career provides to those who are working to
strengthen transatlantic cooperation. In today's terms, Franklin could be
called a transatlantic man, someone whose career, interests, studies and life took him back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing
Americans and Europeans closer in understanding. Even 300 years after his
birth, Franklin's life offers inspiration to young citizens of today in the
effort to bridge the Atlantic. As a diplomat and a printer, he leveraged
the powers of diplomacy and of the media to explore how Americans and Europeans see each other and
the world.
The
Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute
A. 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
- to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Europe
- to develop a cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action.
B. The Summer Institute will
enable teenagers ages 16-18 to participate in an intensive, four-week exchange
program in the United States that focuses on the global issues that European
and American youth face on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Students will
participate in a variety of activities such as training sessions, workshops,
community-based programs, study tours, and cultural events. Participants
will work together to prepare joint projects that present and promote the
stated goals and objectives of the Institute.
C. Before and during the Institute,
students will gather information on young adults' views about one or two areas
of common or global interest, such as sustainable development, inter-ethnic cooperation,
or human rights. The program will also provide the participants with a
new perspective on mass media and how they
learn about each other and the communities they live in, and the broader media
culture. This will include training on the critical reading of printed,
broadcast, and electronic media and the ability to judge the content and
accuracy for themselves. Training will cover communication and presentation
skills, problem solving, and
team building.
D. Community service activities,
social and cultural activities,and homestays with American families will deepen
the participants' experience of U.S. society during their exchange.
Funding/Travel
All expenses, including travel, lodging, meals, and insurance will be covered
from the American Embassy. All logistical arrangements will be made by the U.S.
Embassy Program Coordinator.
Candidate
profile
A. Nominees should have a strong interest in learning more about
diplomacy, the transatlantic relationship, the role of a free press in a
democracy, and public or community service. They should have a strong
demonstrated interest in communications, advocacy, debate, or civic
participation. They should have the academic aptitude for a program of
this nature and personal qualities needed to be
successful participants, including maturity, strong social skills, flexibility,
and open-mindedness. These factors are particularly important given the diverse
group atmosphere of the Institute. English fluency is required.
B. It is important that nominees
have exhibited serious interest in pursuing leadership opportunities in their home
countries, and demonstrate a genuine desire to learn first-hand about the
United States, its people, society, and institutions. It is also very important
that nominees understand that, if selected, they will be
expected to fully and seriously participate in all program components during
the four weeks, as well as in follow-up activities afterward in their home
countries. In addition, participants should be ready to inform and
educate Americans about the cultures and societies of their home countries in non-structured gatherings
and in public presentations.
Candidate
Qualifications:
a. Between 16 and 18 years of age as
of July 1, 2013;
b. Highly proficient in English, as
demonstrated in a personal
interview or the results of a standardized test, such as SLEP or
the TOEFL;
c. Committed to enrolling in high
school or university in their
home countries in fall 2013, following completion of the Institute;
d. Demonstrate strong leadership
potential and interest in
transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
e. Indicate a serious interest in
learning about the United States;
f. Sustained high level of academic
achievement, as indicated by
academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
g. Demonstrate a commitment to
community and extracurricular
activities;
h. Have had little or no prior U.S.
study or travel experience in
the United States;
i. Mature, responsible, independent,
confident, open-minded,
tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive;
j. Willing and able to fully
participate in an intensive summer
program, community service, and active educational travel program;
k. Comfortable with campus life,
shared living accommodations,
travel and interaction with a multinational, coed group of
participants from across Europe and the United States, and
comfortable with engaging various Americans in the broader
community. Able to adjust to cultural and social practices
different from those of their home countries.
Nomination Format:
Nominations must include complete biographical data. See attached document.
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2013
Completed applications along with a short paragraph describing the beneficial experience for a students and what each candidate expects from such a program should be sent electronically to Information Resource Center, American Embassy at: AthensIRC@state.gov
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