The U.S. Embassy in Bratislava and the Slovak Fulbright Commission is pleased to announce Summer 2021 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) which is intensive five–week 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 Institutes will consist of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures.The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community.

Each Institute will have 20 participants and will include an academic residency component and, if the program is conducted in-person, a one-week integrated study tour. During the academic residency, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom.

Program Themes

• Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement
• Study of the U.S. Institute on Education and the Future Work

Benefits

• Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in shared university dorms on campus with common bathrooms. Male participants will be housed on one-floor and female participants on a separate floor. Most meals will be 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 will 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 may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations.COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the ASPE policy.

Eligibility Criteria

• The participants are expected to be highly motivated first through third year undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.Their fields of study may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.
• Participants could be from non-elite backgrounds, historically underserved groups, disadvantaged groups, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTI community, and ethnic minority communities.
• Candidates nominated for this program must:
  • 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 returning 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.

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