Summer Institute for Youth: Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship

The Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce a summer institute opportunity for two students from Kyrgyzstan, aged 15-19 years, to be Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows for a three-four week program in the U.S. in the summer of 2008.

About the Benjamin Franklin Initiative

The goal of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative is to build strong relationships between young people in the United States, Europe, and Eurasia, and to highlight shared values. The initiative is named after the legendary American statesman and diplomat Benjamin Franklin, and is funded by the U.S. Department of State.

There will be two institutes in the summer of 2008, with approximately 45 students participating in each institute. Of these students, 35 will come from Europe/Eurasia and 10 from the United States.

Two fellowships will be awarded to two students from Kyrgyzstan to participate in “The Founders,” and “The Diplomats” institute, depending on the age of student selected. Applications will be accepted for both institutes and fellowships awarded to the strongest applications.

The first institute, entitled “The Founders”, runs June 28-July 23, 2008 and the student age range will be 15-17 years. The second institute, entitled “The Diplomats”, runs July 5-July 30, 2008, and the student age range will be 17-19 years. Each institute runs for three-four weeks. Activities will include leadership and media training, collaborative project development, community service, educational travel, and follow-up planning.

Both institutes of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Initiative will be hosted by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Students will experience life on a university campus and will participate in workshops with university professors and interact with their fellow students. The program will also explore how young people today interface with media, both as consumers and producers of information, and how freedom of expression imposes both rights and responsibilities on citizens.
All expenses, including travel, lodging, meals, and insurance will be covered by the U.S. Department of State.

Eligibility Requirements:

--   Age 15-19 years at the time of the program.
--   High proficiency in English. (as demonstrated in a standardized test, such as TOEFL or equivalent)
--   Commitment to return to a high school or university in Kyrgyzstan in fall 2008,     following completion of the Institute.
--  Strong interest in learning about the United States.
--  Demonstrated commitment to community through extracurricular activities.
--  Little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.
Candidates should have the academic aptitude for a program and personal qualities needed to be successful participants, including maturity, strong social skills, flexibility, and open-mindedness.

This is a competitive program. Finalists will be invited to the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek for personal interviews.  U.S. Embassy employees’ families, alumni and finalists of US government funded exchange programs are not eligible to apply

Eligible candidates will be required to complete an application form and submit to Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy no later than January 31, 2008, 5:00 PM.

For application forms please contact Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy at the following address: 171, Prospect Mira, Bishkek; Tel.: 55-12-41, ext. 4415; e-mail: ChekirbaevaZ@state.gov;

Completed applications can be emailed, mailed to abovementioned address or faxed to (996-312) 551264. 

Detailed information about the program and the application form can be found on our website http://bishkek.usembassy.gov.