Study of the U.S. Summer Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders from Europe
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders are intensive short-term academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The five-week Institutes consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities are complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community.
Each Institute has around 20 participants and includes a four-week academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States. During the academic residency, participants also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom.
The participants are expected to be highly motivated first through third year undergraduate students from universities and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Their fields of study will be varied and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.
Learn more about SUSIs from program alumni:
Candidates nominated for this program must:
be a citizen of Belarus;
be proficient in English;
be interested in the Institute topic;
be between 18 and 25 years of age;
have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to return to their home universities following completion of the program;
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; and,
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.
Additional Information
Housing and Meal Arrangements
Housing is in shared university dorms on campus with common bathrooms. Male participants are housed on one-floor and female participants on a separate floor. Most meals are provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.
Health Benefits
All participants receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Information on the health benefit program may be found here.
Program Requirements and Restrictions
Participants are expected to fully participate in the academic program. They should attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Candidates should be aware that the Institute is very intensive and that there is little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.
English Language Ability
All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program. Host institutions will take into account that the level of comprehension and speaking ability of students may vary and will prepare lectures and discussions that meet the highest academic standards while using language appropriate for students where English is their second or third language.
Application process
The application season for this program is currently closed. If you have any questions about SUSIs, please contact American Councils for International Education at belarus@americancouncils.org
The selection of candidates for the SUSIs for Student Leaders from Europe program is carried out by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus with support from American Councils for International Education.
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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 SUSI program is open to all Belarusian citizens who meet the eligibility criteria irrespective of their current place of residence.