Youth Leadership Program with Belarus
http://www.worldlearning.org/what-we-do/youth-leadership-program-with-belarus/
The Youth Leadership Program with Belarus is a four-week youth leadership exchange during July 2016 based in the United
States, including visits to Charlottesville, Virginia and Washington, DC, with smaller groups spending two weeks in one of the
three following host communities: Louisville, Kentucky; Tula, Oklahoma; or Denver, Colorado. Participants will be 15-17 year
old secondary students from Belarus and the United States. The entire program will include thirty students from Belarus and
eight students from the United States, all competitively selected.
The program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Belarus and the United States who have a strong sense of civic
responsibility, a commitment to community development and social entrepreneurship, an awareness of current and global
issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious,
and national groups in Belarus and the United States, and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration
between the United States and Belarus.
Application Information
To apply for the Youth Leadership Program with Belarus go
to http://exchangeprograms.worldlearning.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=PublicDocuments.View&File_ID=060E707774743F710
40602720000771C0D09030F1A7B7077051C0704737D710473737A70730002000602
Eligibility Requirements: What is covered?
There is no application fee for applicants.
The United States Government will pay for international transportation to and from the United States, orientations, program
and visa fees and administration, site visits and seminars, lodging and meals, some cultural activities, educational materials,
accident and sickness insurance. Participants will stay with volunteer host families and in conference centers.
Participants are responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), and money
for souvenirs, gifts, and other items they wish to purchase in the United States.
.
American Student Applicants Must:
 be 15-17 years old at the time of the exchange;
 be enrolled in a public or charter school or be homeschooled;
 have a least one year of secondary school left at the time of the exchange;
 have permission from both parents or legal guardians to participate in the 27-day program; and
 submit a complete application including: essays, letters of recommendation, and parent/guardian consent form
Deadline: January 31, 2016
Students with disabilities and those from minority groups are encouraged to apply.
What are the criteria for selection?
Students will be evaluated on the following characteristics:
 a demonstrated interest in and commitment to volunteer and civic activities;
 ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and tolerate the opinions of others;
 leadership potential;
 good social and communication skills;
 good academic performance;
 an energetic, positive attitude; and
 the ability to implement projects to benefit the students' school and/or community.
Selection Process
 Application documents will be reviewed January-February, 2016.
 Semi-finalists will be contacted for an interview in January or February, 2016.
 Due to the large quantity of applications received, it is not possible to inform all applicants of their status.