Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders

Civic Engagement

Host Institution: Bard College
Administered By: Meridian International Center
Countries Hosted: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia

Host Institution: University of South Carolina
Administered By: FHI 360
Countries Hosted: Belarus, Bulgaria, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, United Kingdom, Ukraine

Host Institution: Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) at the University of Washington, Seattle
Administered By: Meridian International Center
Countries Hosted: Angola, Botswana, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe

The Study of the U.S. Institutes on Civic Engagement provide participants with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups. The academic program defines civic engagement, examines its development in the United States, and explores topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, media literacy, and volunteerism. In order to enhance the academic experience, each Institute focuses on a specific theme or sub-themes such as civil rights and protections, public health, education, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, or media. Interactive skills building and leadership development sessions are also an integral part of programming. The Institutes encourage participants to develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged and informed citizens in their own communities. The Institutes include a study tour that complements the academic residencies and allow participants to broaden their understanding of citizen engagement across the United States.
 

Comparative Public Policymaking

Hosted By: The Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Countries Hosted: Pakistan

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Comparative Public Policymaking brings together 30 undergraduate students from Pakistan with up to 15 American students to address issues of public policy and democracy in the United States and Pakistan. The Institute examines questions such as: How do problems get on the public agenda? Who has the power to define a problem and how? Where do policy options come from? How are forces mobilized for and against proposed solutions? How are responses formulated, implemented, and evaluated? Using a comparative approach, participants explore the Institute theme through interactive activities, including case studies, simulations, presentations, leadership activities, community service, visits with elected officials, and discussions with the local community. These activities coupled with lectures on policymaking at the federal, state, and local levels of government, the role of the private sector in policymaking, and various other policy topics, weave together a strong understanding of American institutions and how they function on a day-to-day basis. A study tour to another region of the United States complements the academic residency and allows participants to broaden their understanding of public policymaking within the United States.
 

Education and the Future of Work

Host Institution: FIUTS at the University of Washington, Seattle
Administered By: Meridian International Center
Countries Hosted: Brazil, India, Indonesia, Tunisia, Nigeria

Host Institution: University of Massachusetts, Boston
Administered By: FHI 360
Countries Hosted: Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom

The Study of the U.S. Institutes on Education and the Future of Work explore how technology, the job economy, and skill-based education are interconnected in the United States. The Institutes expose participants to global issues in the context of the future of work by examining educational, social, and economic trends. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the academic program examines the role of U.S. educational institutions, particularly community colleges, in preparing Americans with the skills needed to succeed in multiple industries and sectors including business, technology, science, higher education, the creative arts and other fields. Topics may include communication, entrepreneurship and the gig economy, globalization and urbanization, innovation and technology, organizational development and management, skills development, and strategies for reskilling and retraining. The Institutes also provide opportunities for participants to engage with educational and industry leaders, policy makers, trade associations and other key actors. A study tour to another region of the United States complements the academic residencies and allows participants to broaden their understanding of skill-based educational training within the United States.
 

Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Host Institution: The Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Administered By: Meridian International Center
Countries Hosted: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia

Host Institution: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Administered By: FHI 360
Countries Hosted: Belarus, Cyprus, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine

The Study of the U.S. Institutes on Entrepreneurship and Economic Development provide participants with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches by reviewing the development, history, challenges, and successes of U.S. entrepreneurial enterprises, including social enterprises, business leadership, and women’s economic empowerment, in the United States and globally. Topics may include trade; investment; financial literacy; banking; microfinance; organizational development and management; innovation; emerging markets and risk analysis; strategic business planning; corporate social responsibility; and minorities in entrepreneurship. Interactive skills building and leadership development sessions are also integrated into the academic program. A study tour to another region of the United States complements the academic residency and allows participants to broaden their understanding of entrepreneurship and economic development across the United States.
 

Journalism and Media

Host Institution: Washington State University
Administered By: FHI 360
Countries Hosted: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Journalism and Media provides participants with a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a free press in U.S. society. Academic sessions examine First Amendment rights, technology’s impact on journalism, editorial independence, journalistic ethics, legal constraints, civic journalism, and digital and social media. The Institute also includes sessions on critical thinking, media literacy, and the basics of journalism tradecraft: researching, reporting, writing, and editing. The academic residency is complemented by a study tour that allows participants to broaden their understanding of journalism and media across the United States.

Public Policymaking

Hosted Institution: Institute for Training and Development
Administered By: Institute for Training and Development
Countries Hosted: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Public Policymaking provides participants from indigenous and underserved communities with an overview of the U.S. Federalist system of government. The Institute explores the role of non-governmental institutions, such as civic organizations, the media, and the private sector, in the creation of U.S. public policy and supporting effective democracies. Discussions explore the responsibilities of local and state government as well as the three branches of the U.S. government, the system of checks and balances, and the role of local and state governments in leading and innovating in various policy areas. The Institute includes topics such as public finance, rule of law and democratic governance, education, public health, citizen security, and foreign policy. A study tour to another area of the United States complements the academic residency. Throughout the Institute, participants meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field. They are also be challenged to create follow up community projects to implement in their home communities upon returning to their countries of origin.
 

Religious Freedom and Pluralism

Host Institution: The Dialogue Institute at Temple University
Administered By: Meridian International Center
Countries Hosted: Egypt, Iraq, India, Indonesia, Lebanon

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Religious Freedom and Pluralism explores U.S. history, society, and institutions within the context of religious freedom, pluralism, and interfaith dialogue. Topics include early religious traditions in the United States; freedom of religion as a fundamental human right and source of stability; the introduction of new religions in the United States; protection and representation of minority groups and religions; the separation of church and state; and interfaith dialogue and cooperation in a diverse and rapidly changing world. Participants have opportunities to meet with U.S. community leaders of different faiths who advocate for collaboration and tolerance among religious groups. Participants also examine the leadership role that religious officials play in their own societies and develop ideas for how they can work with leaders, of similar or different faiths, on shared goals for their societies. A study tour to another region of the United States complements the academic residency and allows participants to broaden their understanding of religious freedom and pluralism across the United States.

Social Entrepreneurship

Host Institution: Miami University of Ohio
Administered By: Institute for Training and Development
Countries Hosted: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela

Host Institution: Institute for Training and Development
Administered By: Institute for Training and Development
Countries Hosted: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Social Entrepreneurship provides participants with an overview of how entrepreneurial skills can address social issues. The Institute reviews the development, history, challenges, and successes of social enterprises and community leaders in the United States and globally. The Institute gives participants a foundation of how to employ business techniques and entrepreneurial skills to address social issues and provides opportunities to meet with American local community leaders. The Institute addresses topics such as microfinance; organizational development and management; grant writing; innovation; emerging markets and risk analysis; strategic business planning; corporate social responsibility; and women and minorities in entrepreneurship. A study tour complements the academic residency and allows participants to broaden their understanding of social entrepreneurship across the United States.
 

Women's Leadership

Host Institution: University of Arizona
Administered By: Institute for Training and Development
Countries Hosted: Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru (Institute is designed for indigenous and Afro-Latina women)

Host Institution: Green River College
Administered By: University of Kansas
Countries Hosted: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Host Institution: University of Kansas
Administered By: University of Kansas
Countries Hosted: Hong Kong, India, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan

Host Institution: Saint Mary's College
Administered By: University of Kansas
Countries Hosted: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia

Host Institution: University of Delaware
Administered By: University of Kansas
Countries Hosted: Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Uganda

The Study of the U.S. Institutes on Women's Leadership examine the history and participation of women in public life in the United States. The Institutes focus on two major areas: (1) Developing participants’ leadership skills in areas such as critical thinking, communication, decision-making and managerial abilities; and (2) Placing these abilities in the context of the history and participation of women in U.S. politics, economics, culture, and society. The programs also examine women’s historical domestic progress toward equality in the United States, the current domestic successes and challenges to women in a variety of fields, and current challenges in global women’s issues. Additional program activities include community service, mentorship, engaging with U.S. peers, and public policy discussions. A study tour complements the academic residency and allows participants to broaden their understanding of women’s leadership across the United States.