Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders

Civic Engagement

Host Institution:  Bard College
Program Dates: June 17 –July 22, 2017
Countries Hosted:  Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia

Host Institution: University of South Carolina
Administered by:  FHI 360
Program Dates:  June 28 – August 2, 2017
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: January-February 2018
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 28 - August 2, 2017
Countries and Territories Hosted:  Brazil, China, India, Russia

Host Institution: University of Oregon
Administered by:  FHI 360
Program Dates:  June 28 – August 2, 2017
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. 

Local, State, and Federal Public Policymaking

Hosted by: University of Massachusetts’ Donahue Institute
Program Dates:  June 30 – August 5, 2017
Countries Hosted:  Pakistan

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Local, State, and Federal Public Policymaking provides participants 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.  The Institute explores 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 also examines how organizations, the media, and the private sector influence government policy.  Within the broader frame of the public policy process, participants explore and discuss specific public policy questions on topics such as public finance, rule of law, education, public health, environment, and foreign policy.  The Institute concludes with one week of educational travel to New York City, Charlottesville, VA, and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

Religious Pluralism in the United States

Host Institution:  The Dialogue Institute , Temple University
Program Dates: July 15 – August 19 2017
Countries Hosted: Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey

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, 2017
Countries Hosted:  Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal

Host Institution:  University of Connecticut 
Program Dates:  July 1 – August 5, 2017
Countries Hosted:  Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan

Host Institution: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Administered by:  FHI 360
Program Dates:  June 28 – August 2, 2017
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.

U.S. History and Government

Host Institution: Metropolitan State University of Denver
Administered by:  Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates:  July 8 – August 12, 2017
Countries Hosted: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama (conducted in Spanish)

Host Institution:  Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates:  July – August, 2017
Countries Hosted: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama (conducted in Spanish)

Host Institution:   Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates:  July 8 – August 12, 2017
Countries Hosted: Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela (conducted in Spanish)

Host Institution: University of Arizona, Tucson
Administered by:  Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates:  July 8 – August 12, 2017
Countries Hosted: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico (conducted in Spanish)

Host Institution: University of Arizona, Tucson
Administered by:  Institute for Training and Development 
Program Dates:  January – February, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru (conducted in Spanish)

Host Institution:  Institute for Training and Development
Program Dates: January – February, 2018
Countries Hosted:  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay
 
The Study of the U.S. Institute on U.S. History and Government gives participants a deeper understanding of U.S. history, government, institutions, society, and culture.  The program focuses on American historical events as well as contemporary American life, including current political, social, and economic debates in a pluralistic society.  The Institute addresses the influence of principles and values such as democracy, rule of law, individual and civil rights, LGBT rights, immigration issues, and equality and diversity in the United States.  Throughout the Institute, participants meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field.  Participants are also challenged to create follow up community projects to implement in their home communities upon returning to their communities or origin.  Institutes convene in Washington, D.C. at the conclusion of the program and participants have opportunities to network with their peers in these Institutes.  The three Institutes conducted in Spanish target participants from indigenous and minority communities.

Women’s Leadership

Host Institution:  Green River College
Program Dates:  June 24 – July 29, 2017
Countries Hosted: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Host Institution:  University of Kansas
Program Dates:  June 24 – July 30, 2017
Countries Hosted: Afghanistan, India, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan

Host Institution:  Saint Mary’s College
Program Dates:  June 24 – July 29, 2017
Countries Hosted: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia

Host Institution:  University of Delaware
Program Dates:  June 24 – July 29, 2017
Countries Hosted: Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia

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.