U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL HO CHI MINH CITY

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Announcement

2012 STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE

FOR STUDENT LEADERS ON GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) is seeking candidates for the 2012 Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Global Environmental Issues. First- through third-year (or fourth-year at university with a five year curriculum) undergraduate students who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement and extracurricular activities, have a strong interest in the environment and have a good command of English are invited to apply for the program. Up to five scholarships are available for Vietnamese students. The application deadline is 5:00 PM, Monday, November 14, 2011.

Program Overview

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 Global Environmental Issues, hosted by the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.  Educational travel to other parts of the United States, local site visits, and volunteer opportunities will complement the coursework and classroom activities.

The Study of the U.S. Institutes on Global Environmental Issues will explore the role that environmental policy has played in the economic and political development of the United States.  The Institute will use experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current themes in the field, including natural resource management, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, energy generation (new and traditional forms), and water management and treatment.  The issues will be explored from numerous angles: local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, market-oriented approaches, and federal government policies and regulations.  The Institute might also examine the relationship between environmental security and national security.  Finally, the Institute will explore environmental issues in the context of a globalized society, and draw comparisons between the United States and the participants' home countries.

All participant costs, including program administration, international and domestic travel and ground transportation, book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances, housing and subsistence will be paid by the U.S. Department of State.

This SUSI program, offered to 20 student leaders from Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, will take place over the course of five weeks, beginning July 2012, including an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic travel component of approximately one week that will conclude with a 3 day program in Washington, D.C.

Candidate Qualifications

Competition will be based on the candidates’ interest in environmental issues, the potential of the candidates to become student leaders through academic performance, community involvement and extracurricular activities. While all candidates should have a strong interest in the environment, their fields of study might vary, and can include disciplines such as Agriculture, Biology, Ecotourism, Engineering, Environmental Law, Environmental Science, International Affairs, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development…  Candidates nominated for this program should:

v  have a strong interest in the environment;

v  be conversant in English;

v  be a first year, second year or third year student; or fourth year student at universities with 5 year curricula;

v  be between 18 and 25 years of age;

v  be committed to returning to their home universities upon completion of the SUSI program;

v  demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;

v  indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;

v  have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated in grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;

v  have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular activities;

v  have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of Vietnam;

How to apply?

To apply for the program, applicants must submit the completed application form online here. Hard copies of the following documents must be submitted:

1. Completed application form;
2. Two letters of recommendation from teachers/professors;
3. Official transcripts for years of university study (with notarized English translations if in Vietnamese);
4. First year students must submit official transcripts for years of high school study (with notarized English translation if in Vietnamese);

Applicants who are studying at a university in northern Vietnam (from Quang Tri Province to the north) are requested to send their documents (listed above), and any questions regarding the program, to:

Public Affairs Section

U.S. Embassy

SUSI for Student Leaders Program

7 Lang Ha,

Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Tel: 84-4-3850 5000, ext. 6034

Email: pas.culture@gmail.com 

Applicants who are studying at a university in southern Vietnam (from Thua Thien-Hue Province to the south) are requested to send their documents (listed above), and any questions regarding the program, to:

Public Affairs Section

United States Consulate General

SUSI for Student Leaders Program

4 Le Duan, District 1

Ho Chi Minh City

Tel:  (84) (8) 3520-4618

Email: NguyenLH2@state.gov

Application deadline: 5:00 PM, Monday, November 14, 2011.

Applications received later than 5:00 PM, Monday, November 14, 2011 will not be considered.