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Study of the U.S. Institutes for Global Student Leaders

On behalf of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Academy for Educational Development, and host colleges/universities, congratulations on your selection for the 2009 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Global Student Leaders! You were chosen for the leadership qualities demonstrated through your academic studies, community involvement and extracurricular activities. You should be proud of this special opportunity to serve as a representative of your country in the United States.

Participants in the Study of the U.S. Institutes are among the approximately 30,000 individuals who participate in exchanges managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) each year. Other ECA exchange programs include the Fulbright Program and the International Visitor Leadership Program. Through a range of academic and professional exchanges, the Bureau seeks to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

We look forward to hosting you during your stay in the United States. The diversity and complexity of the U.S. in terms of geographic regions, peoples, cultures, religious and political views (just to name a few) can make it a challenge to form a comprehensive picture of the United States and its peoples. The complexity and contrasts within American culture can be truly puzzling to foreigners. Even Americans find it difficult to identify the “typical American”.

Global Institutes: You and your colleagues will reside in distinct regions of the United States. A total of six programs will take place concurrently across the country, with the participating students coming from Algeria, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey and Vietnam. Through sharing your regional program experiences and observations, you and your fellow students will help each other connect the pieces (regions) of the American puzzle to form a more comprehensive picture (map) of the United States.

Afghan Institute: On this four-week academic program in the United States, you and fourteen of your Afghan undergraduate peers will focus on exploring contemporary American life and society. This unique Institute, hosted by Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, will integrate academic study with practical learning opportunities, and will culminate with a four-day workshop in Washington, D.C.

China 30 x 30 Institute: George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia will host you and your fellow students--a total of thirty Chinese undergraduates--for this special Institute recognizing the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China relations. The program will consist of a three-week academic program and study tour, including visits to the Washington metropolitan area, Philadelphia, and New York City.

It is our expectation that you will return home with a better appreciation for our beautiful country, its people and values, yet with an understanding of how much more there is to learn. We hope that you will consider future participation in academic or exchange programs with the U.S.

Welcome to the United States!

Academy for Educational Development (AED) Contact:
Jill L'Heureux
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders
c/o Academy for Educational Development (AED)
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
phone: (202) 884-8371
fax: (202) 884-8407
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