Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship

The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship is an intensive short-term exchange program, created to foster relationships among young Europeans and Americans to build strong linkages and awareness of shared values. The four-week program enables teenagers, ages 16-18, to explore U.S. foreign policy priorities such as youth engagement, support for democracy and civil society, and economic prosperity.  The program consists of a series of lectures, seminar discussions and presentations, and a broad assortment of practical, faculty- and mentor-led workshops.  The coursework and classroom activities are complemented by community service activities, site visits, social and cultural activities, and homestays with American families to deepen participants’ experience of U.S. society during their exchange.

During the academic residency, participants also have the opportunity to discuss other topics such as democratic practices, conflict resolution, problem solving, communication skills, critical thinking, tolerance and respect for diversity, youth leadership, team building, and the media. The institute explores how freedom of expression provides rights to and imposes responsibilities on citizens.

The institute is hosted by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Eligibility criteria:

  • be 16, 17, or 18 years of age at the time of the program start;

  • be highly proficient in English, as demonstrated in a personal interview;

  • be committed to enrolling in high school or university in their home countries following completion of the institute;

  • demonstrate strong leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy;

  • indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;

  • demonstrate  a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;

  • demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
    have had little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience in the United States;

  • be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive;

  • be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer program, with community service and educational travel;

  • be comfortable with campus life, shared living accommodations, travel and interaction with a multinational, co-ed group of participants from across Europe and the United States;

  • be comfortable engaging with the Americans they meet in the host communities; and

  • be able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home countries.

Application process

The application season for this program is currently closed. If you have questions about the BFTF program, please contact us at belarus@americancouncils.org

The selection of candidates for the BFTF program is carried out by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus with support from American Councils for International Education. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

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The program offers equal opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, native language, handicap or disability.

The BFTF program is open to all Belarusian citizens who meet the eligibility criteria irrespective of their current place of residence.

 

Learn more:

Program website