We are pleased to invite candidate nominations for the “2011 Study of the United States Institute for Student Leaders on New Media.” Participants will be from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This Institute will take place five weeks, from approximately June 25 to July 30, 2011; exact dates will be announced at a later time. The deadline for candidate nominations is Wednesday, December 15, 2010. All nominations are to be sent electronically to Tony Perez, Cultural Affairs Specialist, Embassy of the U.S.A. in Manila, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Hard-copy nominations and handwritten nominations will NOT be accepted because all nominations will be edited on-line.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders are intensive academic programs 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 Institute on “New Media and Politics” will be hosted by Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL,.  The four-week academic residency will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.  The academic residency will be complemented by a four day educational tour that will take participants to Springfield, IL and Chicago, IL where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field.  The Institute will conclude with a three-day program in Washington, D.C.

The “2011 Study of the U.S. Institute on New Media and Politics” will examine major topics in journalism, including the concept of a free press, First Amendment rights, and the media's relationship to the public interest. Particularly, the institute will explore how some forms of new media, e.g. citizen journalism, are affecting the political landscape.  The relationship between Media and Politics will be examined throughout the institute. The program will underscore the impact of new technologies on journalism and politics, and encourage participants to work with on-line photos and videos, 'tweet;' publish blogs; utilize social networking and other internet sites; and other new technologies. (Graduate students will be
available to assist participants with less experience with these new technologies; participants will also learn from each other.) 

Through the award to the University of Illinois, Carbondale, the Embassy of the U.S.A. will cover all participant costs, including: program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence

Housing will be in university-owned dormitories. Participants will be expected to share a room and bathroom with another student of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants will also have access to a kitchen where they may cook some meals on their own. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.

All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $50,000 with a $15 co-pay for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

The participants are expected to be highly motivated and exemplary undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education. While all candidates will have a strong interest in New Media and Politics, their fields of study might vary, and can include disciplines such as Graphic Design, History and Government, Information Technology or Computer Science, Foreign Policy, International Affairs, Journalism, Literature, Media, Photography, Public Relations, and others.  Regardless of their academic background, participants will need to explain, through their essays, their interest in the field of New Media and Politics and what academic, volunteer, and professional experience they may have that will contribute to group learning.

Participants are expected to participate fully in the academic program. They should attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Candidates should be made aware that the Institute is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.

Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the U.S. prior to the start date of the Institute or remain in the U.S. after its end date.  Similarly, participants will not be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the U.S. If a relative or friend wishes to visit them, it will be addressed on a case by case basis, in consultation with ECA and the program director.

Violations of host institution rules or local, state or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. It is important that these requirements and restrictions be made clear to all candidates before nominations are submitted.

All candidates should be proficient in English so that they can be active participants in the academic program. Host institutions will take into account that the level of comprehension and speaking ability of students may vary, and will prepare lectures and discussions that meet the highest academic standards while using language appropriate for students where English is their second or third language.

Candidate Description and Qualifications: The participants are expected to be highly motivated and exemplary undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education. Effort should be made to recruit candidates from non-elite backgrounds, and from both rural and urban sectors throughout the country. Candidates should have little or no prior experience in the United States or with U.S. government institutions in their home country.

Candidates nominated for this program will:

•     have a strong interest in new media and politics;
•     be fluent in English;
•     be between 18 and 25 years of age;
•     have completed at least one semester of university and have at least one semester remaining in their university studies;
•    be committed to returning home to complete their degree;
•    demonstrate strong leadership qualities
•    indicate a serious interest in learning about the United
States;
•    have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
•    demonstrate commitment to community and extracurricular university activities;
•    have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
•    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 make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

The nomination form can be forwarded electronically to others who wish to apply.  

Please note that this is a highly competitive program. Countries around the world will be making nominations. There will be a two-stage selection process: first in the Philippines, and then in Washington. For your nominations to be considered, we must receive them electronically no later than Wednesday, December 15, 2010. We will welcome and accept nominations as early as possible. Please send all materials to Tony Perez, Cultural Affairs Specialist for American Studies, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Simply cut and paste the attached electronic form and send them as e-mail attachments.

If you have any questions, please call Tony at 301- 2520.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

NOMINATION FORM
A.      Title of Institute: “2011 Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Global Environment Issues”
B.      Nominee’s full name, exactly as it appears on his or her passport.  Last Name: First Name: Middle Name:
C.      Gender:
D.  Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY):
E.   City of Birth:
F.   Country of Birth:
G.  Country(ies) of Citizenship:
H. Country of Residence:
I.  Medical, Physical, Dietary Considerations:
J.  Candidate’s Contact Information: Home Address:	E-mail:
Telephone:	Mobile Phone:
K. Academic Major, Educational Institution, School Address, and Contact Information:
L. Volunteer and Work Experience, including years, previous positions, and titles:
M. Year in School:
N. Memberships in Association, Clubs, and Other Organizations:
O. Previous Experience in the United States. Please list any and all trips you have made to the United States and include approximate dates and reasons for travel.:
P. Family Residing in the United States. Please list any IMMEDIATE family members who are currently residing in the United States, including city and state.:
Q. Evidence of English Fluency: (Fluent or Not Fluent):
R. Statement by university justifying participation of nominee in institute:
S.  Personal Statement (no more than one page):