IRAQI YOUNG LEADERS EXCHANGE PROGRAM

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

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for High School Students is pleased to extend this opportunity to talented and dedicated young leaders from the U.S. for a summer leadership program in the United States.  There are two programs starting in mid-late July 2012.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 29, 2012

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program is a four week youth leadership exchange based in the U.S. for Iraqi and American teenagers ages 15-17 and several Iraqi adults. The program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Iraq and the United States who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, an awareness of current & global issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups in Iraq, and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and Iraq. 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 to:
1) enable the participants to understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy;
2) develop leadership skills among high school students and adult leaders appropriate to their needs;
3) foster understanding and build relationships across ethnic, religious, and national groups; and
4) promote mutual understanding between the people of Iraq and the U.S.

What is covered?
There is no application fee for applicants nor costs for participants for IYLEP.

The United States Government, in conjunction with its private partners, will pay for domestic air travel in the US, orientations, program and administration fees, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and sickness insurance, 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.) and spending money for souvenirs and other items in the United States.

Who is eligible to apply?
Student applicants must:

  • have a high school graduation year of 2013 or later;
  • have permission from either a parent or legal guardian to participate in the four-week program, approximately to begin in July of 2012;
  • citizenship and current residency in the U.S.;
  • have not participated nor traveled on an ECA-funded program within one academic year or the last three years, respectively; and
  • not be related to an ECA Youth Programs Division staff member nor of an employee of an organization responsible for implementing IYLEP 2012.

What are the criteria for selection?
Students 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.

Required Documents to be submitted with the Application
High School Students please apply online at http://www.regonline.com/IYLEP-hsusstudent.  The online application will ask you to upload the following documents:

  • Passport-sized photo (your face must be visible and clear);
  • Two Letters of Recommendation from teachers or an adult who is not related to you (uploaded by you directly to your application or uploaded by your recommender to http://bit.ly/USStudentHSDocs); and
  • A signed parent/guardian permission form (uploaded to your application by February 29, 2012 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time).

Selection Process
Individuals that make it past the initial application review by our panel will be contacted for an interview in March 2012.  Due to large quantity of applications received, it is not possible to inform all applicants of their status. Thus, applicants can assume that they were not chosen if they have not been contacted by the hosting organization by March 15, 2012. Additional questions should be emailed to youthprograms@worldlearning.org or megan@montanaciv.org.

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