Summer Institute for Youth: 2012 Scholarship Opportunity!
Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow
2012 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
TRANSATLANTIC FELLOWS SUMMER INSTITUTE
The U.S. Embassy in Athens is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for a Greek student, aged 16-18 years, to be a Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow for a four-week program in the U.S. in July 2012.
The four-week program, which will take place during the month of July, will
accommodate 50-60 students: 40-50 European students plus 10 Americans, aged 16 to 18. Institute activities will include discussions of global issues of common interest, leadership and media training, collaborative project development, community service, educational travel, and plans for follow-on activities. Specific information about dates and location will be confirmed later.
About the Benjamin Franklin Initiative
The institute intends to foster relationships among the younger generations of Europeans and Americans to promote awareness of shared values in light of the global challenges of the 21st Century.
The initiative is named after the legendary American statesman and diplomat Benjamin Franklin in honor of the inspiration his own life and career provides to those who are working to strengthen transatlantic cooperation. In today’s terms, Franklin could be called a transatlantic man, someone whose career, interests,
studies and life took him back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing Americans and Europeans closer in understanding. Even 300 years after his birth, Franklin’s life offers inspiration to young citizens of today in the effort to bridge the Atlantic. As a diplomat and a printer, he leveraged the powers of diplomacy and of
the media to explore how Americans and Europeans see each other and
the world.
The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute
A. The goals of the Institute are:
1. to develop a commitment to transatlantic cooperation
2. to foster relationships between American and European youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups
3. to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Europe
4. to develop a cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action.
B. The Summer Institute will enable teenagers ages 16-18 to participate in an intensive, four-week exchange program in the United States that focuses on the global issues that European and American youth face on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Students will participate in a variety of activities such as training sessions, workshops, community-based programs, study tours, and cultural events. Participants will work together to prepare joint projects that present and promote the stated goals and objectives of the Institute.
C. Before and during the Institute, students will gather information on young adults’ views about one or two areas of common or global interest, such as sustainable development, inter-ethnic cooperation, or human rights. The program will also provide the participants with a new perspective on mass media and how they
learn about each other and the communities they live in, and the broader media culture. This will include training on the critical reading of printed, broadcast, and electronic media and the ability to judge the content and accuracy for themselves. Training will cover communication and presentation skills, problem solving, and
team building.
D. Community service activities, social and cultural activities,and homestays with American families will deepen the participants’ experience of U.S. society during their exchange.
Funding/Travel
All expenses, including travel, lodging, meals, and insurance will be covered from the American Embassy. All logistical arrangements will be made by the U.S. Embassy Program Coordinator.
Candidate profile
A. Nominees should have a strong interest in learning more about diplomacy, the transatlantic relationship, the role of a free press in a democracy, and public or community service. They should have a strong demonstrated interest in communications, advocacy, debate, or civic participation. They should have the academic aptitude for a program of this nature and personal qualities needed to be
successful participants, including maturity, strong social skills, flexibility, and open-mindedness. These factors are particularly important given the diverse group atmosphere of the Institute. English fluency is required.
B. It is important that nominees have exhibited serious interest in pursuing leadership opportunities in their home countries, and demonstrate a genuine desire to learn first-hand about the United States, its people, society, and institutions. It is also very important that nominees understand that, if selected, they will be
expected to fully and seriously participate in all program components during the four weeks, as well as in follow-up activities afterward in their home countries. In addition, participants should be ready to inform and educate Americans about
the cultures and societies of their home countries in non-structured gatherings and in public presentations.
Candidate Qualifications:
a. Between 16 and 18 years of age as of July 1, 2012;
b. Highly proficient in English, as demonstrated in a personal
interview or the results of a standardized test, such as SLEP or
the TOEFL;
c. Committed to enrolling in high school or university in their
home countries in fall 2012, following completion of the Institute;
d. Demonstrate strong leadership potential and interest in
transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
e. Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
f. Sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by
academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
g. Demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular
activities;
h. Have had little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience in
the United States;
i. Mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded,
tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive;
j. Willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer
program, community service, and active educational travel program;
k. Comfortable with campus life, shared living accommodations,
travel and interaction with a multinational, coed group of
participants from across Europe and the United States, and
comfortable with engaging various Americans in the broader
community. Able to adjust to cultural and social practices
different from those of their home countries.
Nomination Format:
Nominations must include complete biographical data. See attached document.
Application Deadline: February 6, 2012
Application Form
Completed applications along with a short paragraph describing the beneficial experience for a students and what each candidate expects from such a program should be sent electronically to Markella Karagiorga, e-mail KaragiorgaMN@state.gov
Any questions can also be addressed to Ms. Karagiorga by e-mail
About Benjamin Franklin
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Benjamin Franklin (Painting courtesy Library of Congress) |
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Despite modest beginnings as the son of a Boston candle maker, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) became one of the most famous Americans of his time. He helped found a new nation and served his young country as a writer, journalist, inventor, diplomat, educator, businessperson, musician, scientist, philosopher, humorist, and civic leader. Ben Franklin believed that people volunteering together in a spirit of cooperation could accomplish great things. Driven by a strong sense of civic duty, he involved himself in his community and his nation. He shaped the U.S. Revolution, became a leader of the Enlightenment, invented the lighting rod, and was an early proponent of colonial unity. He founded the University of Pennsylvania as an institution offering both traditional academic instruction and preparation for ?real-world? employment and activities.
More about Ben at http://library.thi
