IRAQI YOUNG LEADERS EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2012 (IYLEP) - Printable Version
This exchange takes place in the United States.
Online application due: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
High School Students please apply online at http://www.regonline.com/IYLEP-hsusstudent
Questions about IYLEP or the online application process:
youthprograms@worldlearning.org
For more information about IYLEP:
http://iylep.worldlearning.org
Program Introduction and Application Instructions
The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program is a four week youth leadership exchange
based in the U.S. for Iraqi and American teenagers ages 15-17 and several Iraqi adults. The program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Iraq and the United States who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, an awareness of current & global issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups in Iraq, and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and Iraq. 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.
A mix of Iraqi and American high school students participate in a lively class together. Students will begin their program in Brattleboro, VT at the SIT Graduate Institute, spend two weeks with host families across the U.S and conclude the final program segment, a civic education week in Washington, DC, which will allow the students to use Washington as an experiential classroom, integrating what they have learned in the previous month with the sights and experiences within the nation’s capitol. Program dates of the exchange are: July/August, 2012 (exact dates to be determined).
Both American and Iraqi 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.
What is covered?
There is no application fee for applicants nor costs for participants for IYLEP. The United States Government, in conjunction with its private partners, will pay for domestic air travel in the US, orientations, program and administration fees, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and sickness insurance, 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.) and spending money for souvenirs and other items in the United States.
The goals of the program:
• Enable the participants to understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy;
• Develop leadership skills among high school students and adult leaders appropriate to their needs;
• Foster understanding and build relationships across ethnic, religious, and national groups; and
• Promote mutual understanding between the people of Iraq and the U.S.
Who is eligible to apply?
Student applicants must:
• Have a high school graduation year of 2013 or later;
• Have permission from either a parent or legal guardian to participate in the four-week
program, approximately to begin in July of 2012;
• Citizenship and current residency in the U.S.;
• Have not participated nor traveled on an ECA-funded program within one academic year
or the last three years, respectively; and
• Not be related to an ECA Youth Programs Division staff member nor of an employee of an
organization responsible for implementing IYLEP 2012.
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.
Required Documents to be submitted with the Application The online application will ask you to upload the following documents:
• Passport-sized photo (your face must be visible and clear);
• Two Letters of Recommendation from teachers or an adult who is not related to you (uploaded by you directly to your application or uploaded by your recommender to
http://bit.ly/USStudentHSDocs); and
• A signed parent/guardian permission form (uploaded to your application by February 29, 2012 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time).
Selection Process
Individuals that make it past the initial application review by our panel will be contacted for an interview in March 2012. Due to large quantity of applications received, it is not possible to inform all applicants of their status. Thus, applicants can assume that they were not chosen if they have not been contacted by the hosting organization by March 15, 2012. Additional questions should be emailed to
youthprograms@worldlearning.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING THE HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY, AND SELECTION
1. Can siblings apply to IYLEP?
Yes, siblings can apply to IYLEP.
2. I was selected as a finalist/alternate for IYLEP 2011, but was unable to participate; do I need to re-apply to be considered for IYLEP 2012?
Yes. Application procedures and requirements have changed since the 2011 application, therefore you are required to re-apply.
3. I do not meet the age requirements for IYLEP. Can I still apply?
No.
4. Will I receive confirmation that my application has been received?
Yes. You will receive a computer-generated email.
5. 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 by March 15, 2012, you can assume that you were not selected.
6. Can I apply again next year if I am not selected this year?
Yes, if your city is one of the cities hosting the IYLEP program.
7. What does it cost to participate in IYLEP?
The United States Government, in conjunction with its private partners, will pay for domestic air travel for the program segments, orientation session, program and administration fees, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and sickness insurance, and a modest amount of pocket money. Participants will stay with host families and in conference centers throughout the program.
Participants will be responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), spending money for souvenirs and other desired items while traveling, and for getting themselves to and from their home city airport for the program beginning and conclusion.
8. What will I be doing on this 4-week program?
The program will start at the SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont with an intensive leadership, peacebuilding and dialogue week with the Iraqis and other U.S. students. There may be other international youth at SIT on concurrent programs at the same time. You'll participate in global issues workshops, teambuilding activities, dialogue groups, local field trips, a ropes course, canoeing and various arts and recreational activities.
You'll then spend 2 weeks with a smaller group of Iraqi and U.S. students in a U.S. city. You'll stay with a host family and participate in a variety of educational and fun activities around the city during the day. These activities include organizational meetings, service projects, media projects, volunteering, field trips, sports or arts events plus free time with the host family.
You'll spend the final week in Washington, DC, reuniting with the full group of Iraqi and U.S. participants where you will design follow on projects, explore DC, and wrap-up the program.
9. Why are there US students on the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program in the US?
We are recruiting a small group of U.S. students from 4-6 states to participate in this program alongside the larger Iraqi youth delegation. The program aims to build lasting friendships and mutual understanding between young people from the U.S. and Iraq. One of the best ways to do that is to spend time together travelling, learning and helping one another out in various educational and recreational activities. You will participate in all the program activities alongside the Iraqi students, and as you're familiar with U.S. culture and lifestyles, you'll be able to help them with their cultural adjustment and transition to life in the U.S. You'll also learn a tremendous amount about Iraqi youth and culture. We believe in the idea of "citizen diplomacy": creating peace and understanding through people to people connections. It's exciting, illuminating, inspiring, challenging and a lot of fun!
Testimonial
“Before the program, I didn’t think about myself as a leader, but after this I am self-confident enough to believe that I can make a difference”
- Former IYLEP High School participant
The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for high school students is sponsored and funded by the US Embassy, Baghdad and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Youth Programs Division & administered by World Learning & Meridian International Center.