Educational Exchanges

Bosnia and Herzegovina - USA
Youth Leadership Program for Students and Teachers

A program of the U.S. Department of State and the
Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Sarajevo

Administered in the United States by the University of Delaware

Saturday, April 5 – Saturday, May 3, 2008

Secondary school students and teachers from Banja Luka, Tuzla, Livno and Tomislavgrad are invited to apply for participation in the ninth Youth Leadership Program for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an accompanying Teacher Professional Development Program. The program will employ a highly interactive approach both in workshops and in a range of public and community settings.  Through engagement in the activities of U.S. high schools, community organizations, youth groups, and government leaders in each location, the students and teachers will better understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.

This is a 6-month program with 3 distinctive training segments: A pre-departure orientation in Sarajevo, a four-week program that will offer 15 students and 3 teachers the opportunity to   explore the principles of leadership and community activism in the United States; and 4-month period during which participants conduct a project in their hometowns.  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 goals of this program are to engage participants in activities that embody principles of civic activism, to foster personal interaction with individuals who illustrate these principles in practice, and to provide the skills and contacts for youth to conduct similar projects in their own cities. The Youth Leadership Program / Teacher Professional Development Program will immerse the students and teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the workings of American democracy in a variety of settings.

PHASE I: Pre-Departure Orientation:

The Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo and Project Director Mark Manno from the University of Delaware will conduct a pre-departure orientation for students and educators about one month before their departure for the U.S.  Topics addressed during the orientation include an explanation of the goals of the program and the expectations and responsibilities of educators and students, information about the program activities, American culture and customs, the U.S. system of government, economic structure, society, the media, concepts of civil society, public and community service, and information on the logistical arrangements.

PHASE II: U.S.-Based Program: 

Under four themes of Diversity and Tolerance, Leadership and Civil Society, Conflict Resolution, and Technology, students and educators will be involved in a range of activities.

• Workshops on program themes, including “mapping” your community to determine its needs and assets, developing follow-on project ideas and completing an action plan, exploring communication styles and mediation, and reviewing Internet resources.
• School-Based Activities, such as attending classes and extracurricular activities and presenting information about Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Teachers will be paired with an American teacher and will meet school faculty.
• Community-Based Activities, which will include volunteer service and seeing youth/adult partnerships in action at the grassroots level.
• Government, such as visiting the state assembly and meeting a legislator and spending a day with county and city government officials.
• Rule of law, through a visit to a courthouse to observe a trial, and a meeting with law enforcement officers.
• Civic engagement, learning about the work of non-governmental organizations.
• Media, through visits to local print and broadcast media outlets to explore its role in a democracy.
• Visits to Washington, D.C., highlighting the institutions of the federal government; to New York City, touring the United Nations and attending a Broadway show; and to Philadelphia, showcasing the history of the nation’s birthplace.
• Homestays with local families.

PHASE III: Bosnia and Herzegovina field testing and follow-on:

Participants return to Bosnia and Herzegovina with plans on how to field test new materials and skills and evaluate the process of implementation.  Participants will work with at least one of their peers to arrange workshops with colleagues and youth.  There will be a project website where participants will post ideas, observations, training experiences, difficulties, and questions and continue to interact with the Delaware community.  Finally, Mark Manno will return to Bosnia and Herzegovina for follow-on consultations with the participants to focus on lessons learned, sharing best practices, and strengthening the network of educators and youth.

What else do I need to know?

The United States Government, in conjunction with its private partners, will pay for ground transportation to and from Sarajevo, international transportation to and from the United States, orientations, program fees and administration, 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.

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 visitor visas provided through this program. By accepting this visa, participants will be subject to a two-year home residency requirement, meaning they must return to and live in Bosnia-Herzegovina for a total of two years before they would be eligible for an immigrant or temporary worker U.S. visa.  This does not restrict other types of visas, however, so this would not prevent you from being able to apply for a student visa to attend university, for example.

Who is eligible to apply?

Student applicants must ...

• be at least 15 years old and not more than 18 years old by April 1, 2008
• have a high school graduation year of 2009 or later
• have good English skills
• have permission from both parents and schools to participate in the entire U.S. program.

Adult applicants must ...

• be active in working with youth in either a high school or community setting
• be willing and able to meet periodically with selected students from all schools in their city during the academic year 2008-2009 to support their follow-up work
• have good English skills

What are the criteria for selection?

Students will be evaluated on the following characteristics:

• a demonstrated interest in and commitment to volunteer and participate in civic activities
• leadership potential
• good social and communication skills
• good academic performance
• proficiency in English
• ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and community

Adult applicants will be evaluated on the following factors:

• demonstrated history of supporting youth activities
• strong record in teaching and/or youth programs
• demonstrated leadership
• proficiency in English
• commitment to working with youth after the project to help them implement projects 

How do I apply?

Complete an application form and submit it to the Office of Public Affairs of the American Embassy in Sarajevo by December 5, 2007.  Take special care in answering the essay questions.

Submit two letters of recommendation along with the application (also by December 5)

Just for Teachers:

• Adults: either two from senior teachers or school officials or one from a senior teacher or school official and one from a community leader who knows your experience in working with teenagers.

The Office of Public Affairs will contact the applicants selected for interviews based on the criteria above, as demonstrated in the application. Individual and small group interviews will take place in each of the three participating cities in December 2007, January and February 2008.

The list of 18 finalists and six alternates will be announced on or about February 15, 2008.

And after that….?

The selected participants will be receiving orientation materials in the weeks prior to the start of the program to help prepare them for the Program and their trip to the United States.

The project director from the University of Delaware, Mr. Mark Manno, will be visiting Bosnia-Herzegovina in March 2008 to begin Phase 1: A pre-departure orientation and training sessions with both students and teachers as the beginning of this Leadership program.  Participants and their families will have an opportunity to meet him and talk with him about the project.

On April 5, participants will travel to the United States for Phase 2, and will return on May 3, 2008.

After their return to BiH and through the summer, participants will be responsible for completing Phase 3 of the program: Conducting a leadership project in their communities.  Staff of the University of Delaware and the U.S. Embassy will present certificates to the participants upon the completion of their projects.

Thank you for your interest in the program and good luck with your applications!