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Youth Leadership Program with Southeast Asia Thailand: Information for Applicants
Home | News & Events | Youth Leadership Program with Southeast Asia Thailand: Information for Applicants
Youth Leadership Program with Southeast Asia
13
Application Deadline: December 30, 2016

Program Description: Secondary school students from Thailand are invited to apply for participation in the Youth Leadership Program with Southeast Asia which will take place in April 2017. The program will be offered for 50 to 60 participants from countries in Southeast Asia that are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN.) There will be 5 students and 1 educator selected to represent Thailand.

The program will employ a highly interactive approach both in workshops and in a range of public and community settings. Through engagement with the activities of U.S. high schools, community organizations, youth groups, and community leaders in each location, the student and adult participants will better understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.

This is an intensive program with three segments: (1) A pre-departure orientation in Bangkok; (2) a 25-day exchange program that will offer students and teachers or community/ leaders the opportunity to explore the principles of leadership and community activism in the United States; and (3) follow-on activities, where participants will conduct projects in their home communities. The program will be intensive, academic, and highly interactive. The program sponsors seek energetic applicants who are ready to develop their skills in order to be effective leaders in their schools and communities.

The program convenes high school students and adult mentors from the ten ASEAN member countries for a three-week U.S.-based exchange program focused on leadership and youth development. The program explores shared challenges faced by the United States and ASEAN member countries as viewed through the three pillars of the ASEAN community: political and security cooperation, economic cooperation, and socio-cultural cooperation and inclusion. Participants will develop concrete skills in project development, communication, and leadership while engaging in hands-on activities, workshops, seminars, and site visits.

Participants will also develop projects to address the needs of their communities upon their return home.

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This program is designed to promote high-quality leadership, civic responsibility, and civic activism among our countries’ future leaders. It will offer a practical examination of the principles of democracy and civil society as practiced in the United States and provide participants with training that allows them to develop their leadership skills.

Participants will visit several communities in the United States. The program will focus on interactive activities, practical experiences, and other hands-on opportunities to learn about the fundamentals of a civil society, community service, conflict resolution, and building leadership skills. The program will also include some school-based activities so that participants can meet their American peers, experience a U.S. school environment, and participate in some classes. Cultural and recreational activities will balance the schedule. Participants will live with American host families for most of the exchange.

An important part of the program is the development and implementation of the projects to implement on their return home. These projects will respond to a need in the school or community. Examples include supporting student government or other means of student involvement in the decision making process in schools, producing visual materials that share information on social issues, developing peer-support or peer-mediation programs or workshops, cooperating with local NGOs trying to develop a spirit of volunteerism, or supporting activities that help increase media coverage of youth issues. All participants will be expected to complete these follow-on projects.

What else do I need to know?

The United States Government, in conjunction with its private partners, will pay for domestic transportation, international transportation to and from the United States, orientations, program fees and administration, site visits and seminars, lodging and most meals, some cultural activities, educational materials, accident and sickness coverage, and a modest amount of pocket money. Participants will stay with volunteer host families.

Participants are responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), passport fees, and spending money for souvenirs, telephone calls, and other personal items in the United States.

Participants will travel to the United States on J-1 exchange v