2018 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Lead

The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission announces the competition for the 2018 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe, a five-week academic program for undergraduate students. The Institutes are an all-expense paid program, including program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; international travel; and housing and subsistence. Participants will be enrolled in ASPE, the Bureau’s Accident Sickness Program for Exchanges.

Eligible Fields: Social Entrepreneurship and Environmental Issues
Social Entrepreneurship
The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Europe on Social Entrepreneurship will examine social entrepreneurship in the United States, including the development, history, challenges, and successes of U.S. social enterprises. The program will be interactive and experiential, and will combine classroom instruction with panel discussions, business visits, and volunteer opportunities. The Institute will give participants a foundation in how to employ entrepreneurial skills to address social issues and will provide opportunities to meet with American local community leaders. The Institute may address topics such as business ethics, negotiations, emerging markets and risk analysis, microfinance, corporate social responsibility, strategic business planning and innovation, and women and minorities in entrepreneurship. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S. where they will meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field. The Institute will then conclude with a visit to Washington, D.C. The Institute on Social Entrepreneurship will be hosted by the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga.

Environmental Issues
The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Europe on Environmental Issues will explore current themes in environmental studies, which may include natural resource management, sustainable development/ sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, energy generation (new and traditional forms), and water management and treatment. The program will be interactive and experiential, with field trips to research facilities and opportunities for classroom discussion. The issues will be explored from numerous angles: local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, market-oriented approaches, and federal government policies and regulation. The Institute might also examine the relationship between environmental security and national security. In addition, the Institute will explore environmental issues in the context of a globalized society, and will draw comparisons between the United States and the participants’ home countries. We expect the Institute on Environmental Issues to provide opportunities for participants 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. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S. where they will meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field. The Institute will then conclude with a visit to Washington, D.C. The Institute on Environmental Issues will be hosted by the University of Oregon.

Grant duration: 5 weeks, June-July of 2018

Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• have Romanian citizenship and study in Romania;
• be proficient in English;
• be interested in the Institute topic;
• have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to return to their home university following completion of the program (BA students finishing their undergraduate studies in the summer of 2018 are not eligible);
• be between 18 and 25 years of age;
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
• demonstrate commitment to community and extracurricular university activities;
• have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
• be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
• be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and educational travel;
• be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country;
• be prepared to submit a report to the Fulbright Commission on the program experience.

Each applicant will be required to submit:
• an application form to be downloaded from: Application form 2018_Study of the U.S. Institutes
• scanned academic transcripts for undergraduate level.

NOTE: the application includes the reference form to be completed and signed by two evaluators.

Please submit your application, including the essay, in word format; transcripts and references should be scanned and sent as PDFs. All the documents are to be sent at office@fulbright.ro
no later than: January 8, 2018.

For further details, please send your inquiries to office@fulbright.ro