Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders in New Media in Journalism

The U.S. Embassy in Nepal is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Study of the U.S. Institutes for Students (SUSI). Please note that this program is only open to current undergraduate students.

The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders in New Media in Journalism is an intensive short term academic program 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 five-week SUSI Program will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be completed by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. The Institutes will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic study tour of approximately one week. During the academic residency, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom. The Institute will take place over the course of five weeks in June and July 2016.

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 may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields. Emphasis should be made on recruiting participants from non-elite backgrounds, from both rural and urban areas, and with little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside their home country. In addition, recruitment of participants should include historically underserved groups such as indigenous groups, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.

Candidates nominated for this program will:

  • be proficient in English;
  • be interested in the topic of New Media in Journalism;
  • be between 18 and 25 years of age;
  • have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of the program; (students graduating before December 2016 need not apply)
  • 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 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.

Applications must be submitted by email to cultureKTM@state.govno later than December 15, 2015.

Download application (PDF 295.64KB)