The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States of America is accepting applications for its “Between the Lines: Peace and the Writing Experience,” sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP).

Between the Lines (BTL) will bring together 40 international writers between the ages of 15 and 18 from countries on the historic Silk Road land route, as well as 10 U.S.-based peers for a two-week, online creative writing program. The virtual program is free of cost for all selected participants.  All program activities will be in English and will include creative writing workshops, literary readings and Q&As with visiting authors, youth and mentor conversation sessions, as well as group and individual writing assignments outside of class. 

Criteria

• Mongolian/international students must be nominated through the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia. 
• To be considered for nomination, the applicant must:
  • Be a Mongolian student between age of 15 and 18 as of July 10, 2021, currently living in Mongolia; 
  • Be fluent in English (reading, writing, and speaking), and able to participate effectively in intercultural exchange; 
  • Be a talented young writer who is passionate about creative writing and shows promise to become a future literary figure; 
  • Be comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics, and eager to engage with other young writers from diverse cultures; 

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Mongolia.