A program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

About the Program

The Summer Institutes for Outstanding European Students are two five-week academic Institutes for beginning/young students that will be held in the United States in the summer of 2010.  The Department of State is pleased to work with Drexel University (Philadelphia) and Bentley University (Waltham bei Boston) on these two programs. Participation is open to students from a broad range of ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds from Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.  All activities will be conducted in English.  Please see the description for each Institute below.

The Institute at Drexel University will offer participants a program focused on the study of the United States.  Participants will learn about the history of the United States and study the key documents, important events, and people that have shaped the United States and the American character.  Drexel’s location in the historic city of Philadelphia will allow participants to visit the sites pivotal to America’s birth as a country.  Students will have ample opportunities to refine their English, writing, and public communications skills and work in teams alongside American students on a public service project. This Institute will host 24 participants.

Bentley University will administer a program focused on entrepreneurship and leadership development.  Participants will learn about different forms of entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship, hear from young entrepreneurs, and build the skills necessary for leadership.  Public speaking and written communication will be key components of the program.  While entrepreneurship is typically identified in the business field, students in all fields of study are encouraged to apply.  This Institute will host 20 participants.

All program costs will be fully funded by the U.S. Department of State.  Participants will travel to the United States on July 17, 2010 and return to Germany on August 21, 2010.  All participants will attend a debriefing and evaluation session in Washington, D.C., at the conclusion of the Institute before returning to Europe.

Eligibility Requirements

Both Institutes are open to students in all courses of study.  Individuals interested in participating must meet the following eligibility requirements.  Applicants must:

• be able to participate in the program in its entirety;
• have completed no more than two years of university study;
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by school/academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
• have an adequate working knowledge of English;
• be committed to returning to their home university in the fall;
• have had little or no study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of Germany;
• be mature, responsible, independent, and open-minded;
• and be willing and able to participate fully in the Institute academic program, including attending all sessions, completing all assignments, and contributing to classroom discussions.

All participants will be required to obtain a J-1 visa prior to traveling to the United States.  The U.S. Department of State will issue the relevant paperwork, and the Fulbright Commission will arrange the visa interview.

Financial Provisions

Those selected as participants in the 2010 Summer Institutes will be provided with the following:

• round-trip airfare from home city to the host university in the United States, including a stop in Washington, D.C., at the conclusion of the program to participate in a debriefing session;
• visa sponsorship;
• tuition and fees at the host university;
• lodging and meals on the host university campus;
• a small daily allowance for incidental expenses;
• health and accident coverage in accord with United States Government guidelines; and
• a book and educational materials allowance.

Application Procedure & Deadlines

The application period for 2010 is closed. The scholarship announcement for the Summer Institute 2011 will be publicized in the beginning of 2011. Further information and application materials will then be available here.

Contact

German-American Fulbright Commission
Mr. Hakan Tosuner

Oranienburger Str. 13-14
10178 Berlin
Germany
Email: diversityprograms@fulbright.de