YOUTH AMBASSADORS PROGRAM WITH BRAZIL

A program sponsored and funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Youth Programs Division and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil.

The Youth Ambassadors Program with Brazil is pleased to extend this opportunity to talented American young leaders and adult mentors for a three-week leadership program in Brazil during the summer of 2012.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 29, 2012

The Youth Ambassadors Program with Brazil is a three week youth leadership exchange during Summer 2012 based in Brazil for thirteen American teenagers ages 15-17 and one adult mentor. The program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Brazil and the U.S. who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, an awareness of current and global issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups in both Brazil and the U.S., and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and South America. Participants will be required to implement follow-on activities upon their return home that will help the participants stay in touch with each other and reflect on their experiences and integrate that learning into their day-to-day lives at home. An important goal of the program is that the student leaders, now empowered, will train other student leaders through student led community oriented service projects.

The goals of the program are:
1) To promote mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and Brazil;
2) To prepare youth leaders to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities;
3) To influence the attitudes of the leaders of a new generation; and
4) To foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups and create networks of hemispheric youth leaders, both within Brazil and internationally.

What is covered?
There is no application fee for applicants.

The U.S. Government will pay for international transportation to and from the United States, domestic travel to Pre-Departure Orientation in Washington, DC, orientations, program and visa fees and administration, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and sickness insurance while in Brazil, and a modest amount of pocket money. Participants will stay with volunteer host families and in conference centers.

Participants are responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), passport fees, vaccination fees (if applicable) and spending money for souvenirs and other items in the United States.

Who is eligible to apply?
Student applicants must…

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • be at least 15 years old and not more than 17 years old at the time of the exchange (birth years between 1995-1997);
  • have a high school graduation year of 2013 or later;
  • attend a public high school, a public charter high school, or home-schooled ;
  • live within the area of jurisdiction of one of the program partners: Montana Center for International Visitors (Bozeman, MT), International House of Metrolina (Charlotte, NC), Cleveland Council on World Affairs (Cleveland, OH), World Affairs Council-Seattle (Seattle, WA), Tulsa Global Alliance (Tulsa, OK), or Washington, DC;
  • have no previous travel outside of the United States;
  • have permission from either a parent or legal guardian to participate in the three-week program, approximately to begin in July 2012; and
  • submit a complete application, essays, including photograph, letters of recommendations, references, parent/guardian consent form.

Student applicants who can answer yes to any of the following statements are ineligible to apply:

  • Students with previous travel outside of the United States
  • Students with dual American/Brazilian citizenship
  • Students who attend private high school

Adult mentor applicants must…

  • be a U.S. citizen;
  • be active in working with youth in either a high school or community setting;
  • be willing to spend three weeks in Brazil;
  • be willing and able to meet periodically with selected students from in their city/region, during the academic year 2012-2013 to support and monitor their follow-up work;
  • submit a complete application, statement of interest, including photograph and letters of recommendation.

Adult applicants who can answer yes to any of the following statements are ineligible to apply:

  • Adults with dual U.S./Brazilian citizenship
  • Adults with previous travel to Brazil

What are the criteria for selection?
**Student applicants will be evaluated on the following characteristics:

  • a demonstrated interest in and commitment to volunteer and civic activities;
  • ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and tolerate the opinions of others;
  • leadership potential;
  • good social and communication skills;
  • good academic performance;
  • an energetic, positive attitude; and
  • ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and/or community.

**Adult applicants will be evaluated on the following factors:

  •   a demonstrated interest in and commitment to service in their local regions;
  • demonstrated history of supporting youth activities;
  • strong record in teaching and/or youth programs;
  • demonstrated leadership ability;
  • ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups of students and peers and tolerate the opinions of others; and
  • commitment to working with youth after the project to help them implement projects.

Required Documents to be submitted with the Application
High School Students please apply online at http://www.regonline.com/byap2012
Adult mentors please apply online at http://www.regonline.com/byap2012-adult

The online application will ask you to download and email the following documents:

  • A clear photo;
  • Two Letters of Recommendation;
  • A signed parent/guardian permission form for students applicants only
  • CV/resume for adult mentor applicants only

Selection Process

  • Applications will be reviewed by the respective U.S. partner organization in the applicant’s community
  • Semi-finalists will be contacted by the respective U.S. partner organization in his/her community for interview
  • Finalists from each U.S. community will have a final interview with World Learning and U.S. Dept. of State representatives
  • Due to large quantity of applications received, it is not possible to inform all applicants of their status
  • Additional questions should be emailed to youthprograms@worldlearning.org or megan@montanaciv.org
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