algeria-youth-leadership-cultural-exchange-program

Application Deadline: November 5, 2022

The Youth Leadership Program with Algeria is a leadership development opportunity for Algerian and American youth, ages 15-17. This cultural and academic exchange will take place in Reno, Nevada and Washington, DC from July 10-August 2, 2023, with an orientation in Algiers from July 7-9, 2023.

The program will employ an interactive approach both in workshops and in a range of public and community settings.  Through engagement in the activities, youth and adult participants will better understand civic participation, the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy and the role that social enterprises play in a community. The program is highly academic and provides participants with the skills to complete a required post-program service project in their local communities.

The program is comprised of an intensive training schedule that includes highly academic workshops, project planning, teambuilding activities and cultural components. After the completion of the U.S. based program, participants are required to complete a post-program service project in their local communities. Participants can expect to be in programming sessions from a minimum of 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. 

Eligibility

Youth who are eligible to apply are those who:

• Are a legal citizen of Algeria
• Will be either 15, 16 or 17 years of age on July 7, 2023
• Have demonstrated English skills, sufficient for understanding academic discussion and everyday social interactions 
• Have at least one year of high school remaining after the program. If you are selected as a semifinalist, you will be required to submit an original high school transcript and a school certificate to verify that you have at least one year of high school remaining. We will also contact your school to verify your enrollment status, so be sure to provide current contact information for your school.
• Have demonstrated leadership in their schools and/or communities
• Have interest in the program themes of social entrepreneurship, leadership and project development and would like to participate in academic classes and do work to develop in these areas
• Have permission from their parent(s) or legal guardian to participate in the entire program
• Do not have a familial relation to the Northern Nevada International Center, their Algerian partner Action Bénévole pour la Citoyenneté & le Développement, or the U.S. Department of State
• Have not traveled to the United States on a Department of State exchange program within the last three years

Benefits

The Youth Leadership Program with Algeria is fully-funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

This program includes the following for all youth and adult participants: 

• Transportation to and from the in-person interview the U. S. Embassy in Algiers
• All program transportation (transportation to and from the pre-departure orientation in Algiers, flights to and from Algeria, all transportation in the U.S.)
• All food (three meals and day and snacks) and lodging in the U.S. and Algeria as part of the program (from the pre-departure orientation to your return to Algeria)
• Admission to all cultural visits
• Participant insurance- the cost of any non-pre-existing medical emergency while in the U.S.

 Youth and adult participants will be responsible for paying for the following (the program will NOT pay for):

• Gifts, souvenirs or personal purchases (clothes, electronics, additional meals and snacks as desired by the participant)
• Any activities that the participant decides to do outside of the activities provided by the program
• Treatment for pre-existing medical conditions (if you have an illness, injury or disorder prior to coming to the U.S., the program will NOT pay for treatment)
• Dental or eye-care costs
• Your Algerian passport fees
• Your trip to and from Algiers to obtain your U.S. Visa and any fees associated with your Visa requirements

Application Procedure:

Part one: Online written application 

Follow these steps to complete the online written application by 11:59 pm (GMT +1) on November 5, 2022.

1. Print, complete and scan the following documents.  These must be uploaded to your online application:
   • Letters of recommendation: two (2) typed and hand-signed letters of recommendation, written in English on the letter of recommendation template.
   • Signature page:  One (1) hand-signed 2023 Algerian Leadership Program adult participant signature page. Note: You must hand sign this form. Names typed on a computer will not be accepted. By signing the “2023 Algerian Youth Leadership Program Adult Signature Page,” you are certifying that all of the information on the application is true and correct. If any of the information in your application is found to be false, you will be disqualified from the program and will not be eligible for any Department of State or U.S. Embassy exchanges/programs in the future.
2. Complete the personal information and essay questions asked on the online application, upload the two (2) required letters of recommendation and the signature page, and submit your application by 11:59 pm (GMT +1) on November 5, 2022. Note: You can access the application to view the information required multiple times, but once you begin to fill out the form, you cannot save your answers to go back later. Therefore, you must complete and scan the two (2) Letters of Recommendation and the Signature Page before filling out the application.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Algeria Youth Leadership cultural exchange Program 2023