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Public Affairs Officer John Johnson (back) and Alumni Coordinator Bun Sambath (far left) with SUSI 2009 students.
FY-09 Study of The United States Institutes For Student Leaders
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the opening of the Study of the United States for Student Leaders program. The program will take place over the course of five weeks, June 28-August 2, 2009, for a group of 20 students from Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes 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 will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel to other parts of the United States, local site visits, and volunteer opportunities. The institute will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic travel component of approximately one week that will conclude with a 2-3 day program in Washington, D.C.
All candidates should be proficient in English so that they can be an active participant 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.
The participants are expected to be highly motivated first through third year undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Their fields of study will be varied, and will include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields. Participants from non-elite backgrounds, from both rural and urban sectors, and with little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country are encouraged to apply for this program.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be typically 25 years of age or younger
- be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of their institute program
- demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities
- indicate a serious interest in learning about the United
States - have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated in grades, awards, and teacher recommendations
- have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular university activities
- have had 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 program 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.
Application Instruction
Applications are available here (DOC - 592 KB). Interested applicants must submit completed applications and supporting documents, including transcripts and two recommendation letters from your school and your social activity institution no later than February 6, 2009. For further information on this program, please contact Mr. Chau Sa at the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, No. 1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, at 023-728-248 or 012-812-453, email: chaus@state.gov.
