MEPI Student Leaders Project
January 11, 2012
The MEPI Student Leaders project provides an intensive 5- to 6-week exchange program to the United States for approximately 100 undergraduate students from the Middle East and North Africa. Students are divided among up to six U.S. academic institutions where they develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society, as well as the democratic process and how both may be applied in their home communities. Participants have the opportunity to meet their American peers, engage in local community service activities, and observe and take part in the governmental process on the local, state, and federal levels. The institutes include academic coursework, as well as study tours to various regions of the United States. Upon completion of the U.S.-based programs, host institutes work with participants to implement civic engagement programs in their home communities. An alumni event is generally held in the region approximately 6 months after the U.S. portion of the program.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
This program is open to university students between the ages of 20 and 24. We seek a gender-balanced pool of candidates and prefer traditionally underserved participants when possible. Those who have traveled to the U.S. or studied abroad are ineligible. Applicants should demonstrate sufficient English-language skills to participate in U.S. university-level classes and must be enrolled in and attending a university in their home countries. At the time of application and while participating in the program, participants must be citizens of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, West Bank/Gaza, or Yemen and cannot hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident.
HOW DO PARTICIPANTS APPLY?
All applicants must submit a current resume highlighting civic engagement, leadership and/or work experience, extracurricular activities, and academic honors; as well as essay of no more than 1,000 words, which answers the following questions:
- Name one leader living today that you admire and explain why.
- What qualities does he or she have that makes him or her an effective leader?
- How will your participation in the MEPI Student Leaders Program benefit you and others?
IMPORTANT DATES:
- The recruitment process for the 2012 program is now open.
- The program will begin in late June 2012 and conclude in early August 2012.
- Applications should be submitted to MEPITunis@state.gov by COB February 15, 2012.
For other questions, please e-mail: MEPITunis@state.gov
For more information about MEPI exchange opportunities, please e-mail: MEPIExchanges@state.gov.