Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders

Civic Engagement

Host Institution:  Bard College
Program Dates: June 16 –July 22, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia

Host Institution: University of South Carolina
Administered by:  FHI 360
Program Dates:  June 16 – July 21, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic,  Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Host Institution: Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS)
Program Dates: Winter 2019
Countries Hosted: Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement provides student leaders with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups.  The coursework examines the development of civic engagement in the U.S. and explores topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism.  Other topics such as civil rights, entrepreneurship, ethics, and leadership are discussed.  In addition to classroom sessions, participants will meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-profit organizations.  The academic sessions are complemented by workshops designed to build practical skills and educational travel that allows participants to broaden their understanding of citizen engagement across the United States.

Environmental Issues

Host Institution:  University of Montana
Program Dates:   June 27 - August 1, 2018
Countries and Territories Hosted:  Brazil, China, India, Russia, Japan

Host Institution: University of Oregon
Administered by:  FHI 360
Program Dates:  June 28 – August 2, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom

The Institute on Environmental Issues examines current themes in the field of environmental studies including:  natural resource management; sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices; food security; ecotourism; new and traditional forms of energy generation, and water management and treatment.  Students explore the issues from numerous angles, including local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, market-oriented approaches, and federal government policies and regulation.  The program is interactive and experiential, with field trips to research facilities and opportunities for classroom discussion.  Participants have opportunities to engage with policy makers, individuals in technical positions, community representatives, indigenous leaders, and other key actors committed to the protection and management of the environment.  In addition, the Institute explores environmental issues in the context of a globalized society, drawing comparisons between the United States and participants’ home countries.  An educational trip takes participants to another area of the United States where they meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field. 

Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Public Policymaking

Host Institution: Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates: July 14 – August 18, 2018
Countries Hosted: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

The Institute provides participants from indigenous and underserved communities in the Western Hemisphere with an overview of the U.S. Federalist system of government as well as 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 will 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. Topics such as public finance, rule of law and democratic governance, education, public health, citizen security, and foreign policy will be included.

Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Pakistan on Comparative Public Policymaking

Hosted by: University of Massachusetts’ Donahue Institute
Program Dates:  June 23 – August 5, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Pakistan

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Comparative Public Policymaking participants brings together 30 Pakistani undergraduate students with up to 15 U.S. students to address issues of public policy and democracy in the United States and comparing U.S. policy with that of Pakistan. Entitled Getting Things Done: The Context of Public Policy, 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 this or that solution? How are responses actually formulated, implemented, and evaluated? Participants will explore the institute theme through hands-on 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, will weave together a strong understanding of American institutions, and how they function in practicality on a day-to-day basis. The Pakistani students will also travel to New York City, Boston, Charlottesville, VA and Washington, D.C. during a two-week study tour component.

Religious Pluralism in the United States

Host Institution:  The Dialogue Institute , Temple University
Program Dates: July 7 – August 11 2018
Countries Hosted: Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States explores U.S. history, society, and institutions within the context of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.  Topics include, but are not limited to, early religious traditions in the United States; the separation of church and state; immigration and the introduction of new religions in the United States; protection and representation of minority groups and religions; and interfaith dialogue in a diverse and rapidly changing world.  Participants meet with 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 will work with leaders of similar or different faiths to bring about positive social change.  This Institute will be hosted by the Dialogue Institute at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Participants will visit New York City, Atlanta, and western North Carolina on an educational trip and will conclude with a three-day program in Washington, D.C.

Social Entrepreneurship

Host Institution:  California State University, Chico 
Program Dates:  June 14 – July 19, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal

Host Institution:  Miami University of Ohio 
Administered by: Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates:  July 14 – August 18, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela

Host Institution:  Institute for Training and Development 
Program Dates:  January 14 – August 18, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay

Host Institution:  University of Connecticut 
Program Dates:  July 7 – August 10, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan

Host Institution: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Administered by:  FHI 360
Program Dates:  June 16 – July 21, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Belarus, Cyprus,  Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom
  
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.

Women's Leadership

Host Institution: Green River College
Administered by: University of Kansas
Program Dates:  June 23 – July 28, 2018
Countries Hosted: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Host Institution:  University of Arizona, Tucson
Admnistered by: Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates:  July 14 – August 18, 2018 and January 12 - February 16, 2019
Countries Hosted: Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru (Institute is designed for indigenous and Afro-Latina women)

Host Institution:   University of Kansas
Program Dates:  June 23 – July 28, 2017
Countries Hosted: Afghanistan, India, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan

Host Institution: Saint Mary's College
Administered by:  University of Kansas
Program Dates:  June 23 – July 28, 2018
Countries Hosted: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia

Host Institution: University of Delaware
Administered by:  University of Kansas
Program Dates: June 23 – July 28, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Uganda

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Women's Leadership examines 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.  Community service, mentorship, engaging with U.S. peers, and public policy discussions are also included in the Institutes.  Participants in all four Institutes come together for a one-day Women’s Leadership conference, cultural festival, and networking opportunities in Washington, D.C. before heading to their respective academic institutions.