Youth Ambassadors Program with Brazil (YAP) 2012 - Printable Version
This exchange takes place in Brazil.
Online application due: Friday, February 17, 2012
The YAP Brazil application for American High School Students can be found here: http://www.regonline.com/byap2012
The YAP Brazil application for the U.S. Adult Mentor can be found here: http://www.regonline.com/byap2012-adult
Information about YAP Brazil can be found at: http://blogs.worldlearning.org/brazilya
The Youth Ambassadors Program with Brazil is a three week youth leadership exchange during Summer 2012
based in Brazil for thirteen American teenagers ages 15-17 and one adult mentor. The program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Brazil and the U.S. who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, an awareness of current and global issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups in both Brazil and the U.S., and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and South America. Participants will be required to implement follow-on activities upon their return home that will help the participants stay in touch with each other and reflect on their experiences and integrate that learning into their day-to-day lives at home. An important goal of the program is that the student leaders, now empowered, will train other student leaders through student led community oriented service projects.
Program Sponsors and Partners:
•Youth Programs Division, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
•U.S. Embassy in Brazil
•World Learning
•Montana Center for International Visitors, International House of Metrolina, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, World Affairs Council-Seattle, Tulsa Global Alliance
Program Goals:
1) To promote mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and Brazil;
2) To prepare youth leaders to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities;
3) To influence the attitudes of the leaders of a new generation; and
4) To foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups and create networks of hemispheric youth leaders, both within Brazil and internationally.
Program Design:
The Brazil program will begin with a two day orientation workshop in Washington, DC before the group departs for Brazil, where they will have an introduction and participate in meetings with U.S. Embassy staff. Following the orientation in Brazil, the group will split into community program teams for homestays and programming activities organized and implemented by alumni of the January exchange. The American students will then reunite for a re-entry and follow-on program segment, which will include action planning and evaluation sessions. More details will be available upon final selection of participants.
What is covered?
There is no application fee for applicants.
The U.S. Government will pay for international transportation to and from the United States, domestic travel to Pre-Departure Orientation in Washington, DC, orientations, program and visa fees and administration, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and sickness insurance while in Brazil, and a modest amount of pocket money. Participants will stay with volunteer host families and in conference centers.
Participants are responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), passport fees, vaccination fees (if applicable) and spending money for souvenirs and other items in the United States.
Who is eligible to apply?
Student applicants must:
•Be a U.S. citizen
•Be at least 15 years old and not more than 17 years old at the time of the exchange (birth years between 1995-1997);
•Have a high school graduation year of 2013 or later;
•Attend a public high school, a public charter high school, or home-schooled ;
•Live within the area of jurisdiction of one of the program partners: Montana Center for International Visitors (Bozeman, MT), International House of Metrolina (Charlotte, NC), Cleveland Council on World Affairs (Cleveland, OH), World Affairs Council-Seattle (Seattle, WA), Tulsa Global Alliance (Tulsa, OK), or Washington, DC;
•Have no previous travel outside of the United States;
•Have permission from either a parent or legal guardian to participate in the three-week program, approximately to begin in July 2012; and
•Submit a complete application, essays, including photograph, letters of recommendations, references, parent/guardian consent form.
NOT ELIGIBLE:
•Students with previous travel outside of the United States
•Students with dual American/Brazilian citizenship
•Students who attend private high school
What are the criteria for selection?
Students will be evaluated on the following characteristics:
•a demonstrated interest in and commitment to volunteer and civic activities;
•ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and tolerate the opinions of others;
•leadership potential;
•good social and communication skills;
•good academic performance;
•an energetic, positive attitude; and
•ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and/or community.
Selection Process
•Applications will be reviewed by the respective U.S. partner organization in the applicant's community
•Semi-finalists will be contacted by the respective U.S. partner organization in his/her community for interview
•Finalists from each U.S. community will have a final interview with World Learning and U.S. Dept. of State representatives
•Due to large quantity of applications received, it is not possible to inform all applicants of their status
•Additional questions should be emailed to
youthprograms@worldlearning.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding the U.S. High School Student Application, Eligibility, and Selection:
1. Who should I contact if I have any questions about the application or program?
Please send all questions to
youthprograms@worldlearning.org.
2. Can siblings apply to the Youth Ambassadors Program?
Yes, siblings can apply to the Youth Ambassadors Program if they meet all eligibility requirements.
3. Will I receive confirmation that my application has been received?
Yes. You will receive a computer-generated email for the online application only.
4. Will I receive notice whether or not I have been accepted to the program?
Due to the high-level of applications we receive, we may not be able to contact all those that have applied. If you have not received an invitation for an interview, you can assume that you were not selected.
5. What if I am not accepted to the Youth Ambassadors Program this year; can I apply again next year?
Yes, provided you meet the age and other eligibility criteria again next year.
6. What if my recommenders want to submit their letter directly without me seeing them?
If your recommenders want to send their letters of recommendation about you directly instead of giving them to you to email, please tell them to scan the letters and email them to
youthprograms@worldlearning.org. They can then upload your letters directly without you being able to see them. Make sure that the email address you use to register for the application is on the letters you give to your recommenders. If you already have you Registration ID number, make sure they have this too.