Myanmar Youth Leadership Program (MYLP)
Youth Application
Application Deadline: November 28, 2022 (Monday)
Program Description:
The Myanmar Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) is a six-week exchange in the United States
that will take place in the spring of 2023. This program is fully funded by the U.S.
Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). All participant
expenses are fully covered by the program. MYLP is seeking secondary school-aged youth
and adult educators/community leaders from across Myanmar to apply for this opportunity.
MYLP focuses on the key themes of civic engagement and youth leadership through an
environmental lens. Through engagement in activities with U.S. universities, community
organizations, youth groups, and community leaders, MYLP aims to build mutual
understanding, tolerance, and respect through shared culture and values; to foster
relationships among youth from diverse ethnic, religious, and national groups; and to
empower participants to be actively engaged in addressing issues of concern in their schools
and communities upon their return home. Throughout this six-week program, participants
will spend time in New York City, live with American host families in Vermont, and visit
Washington, DC.
Secondary school age youth who may apply are those who:
 Currently reside in Myanmar (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship are not eligible).
 Will be at least 16 years old and not more than 19 years old by the program start date.
 Demonstrate interest in environmental sustainability and related subject areas and
how it can be applied to improve local conditions.
 Exhibit initiative, strong communication skills, and have an energetic, positive
attitude.
 Can work cooperatively in a team and be open to various opinions and perspectives.
 Have strong English skills.
 Have permission from parent(s)/guardian(s) to participate in the entire program.
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
Instructions for completing this application: Please fill out the application as completely as
possible, in English. The information you provide on this application will provide the basis
for selecting semi-finalists for this program. Answer the questions carefully and completely.
Supplemental Forms: You must have two letters of reference (or recommendation)
submitted on your behalf. Letters of reference are extremely important. All letters of
reference should be written by teachers under whom you have studied. Letter of reference
should not be written by persons related to you either by blood or marriage or by personal
friends.
Soft copies applications should be submitted to RangoonUSECA@state.gov. Questions
regarding the application and selection process should be address to
RangoonUSECA@state.gov.
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
Myanmar Youth Leadership Program
Youth Application
About you:
Last (Family) Name _________________________________
First Name ________________________________________
Paste or staple a
recent passport-size
photograph here
Middle Name ______________________________________
Nickname _________________________________________
Gender: Male _______
Female ________ Other/Prefer to self-describe_______________
How old will you be on April 28, 2023? _________
Birth date: Day _______ Month _____________________________ Year _____________
Address______________________________________________________________________
City, Postal Code_______________________________________________________________
Mobile Phone _________________________________________________________________
Email _______________________________________________________________________
City and Country of Birth _______________________________________________________
Country of citizenship or permanent legal residence__________________________________
About your family:
Parent or guardian name(s) _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Address (if different from yours) ___________________________________________________
Father/Guardian: Mobile Phone ____________________ Email _________________________
Mother/Guardian: Mobile Phone ____________________Email ________________________
Brother(s)/Sister(s)
Name
Gender
Age
Occupation
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
_____________________________________________________________________________
About your education:
School name__________________________________________________________________
School address________________________________________________________________
City, Postal code_______________________________________________________________
Current grade _____________
Year you will graduate _____________________________
How many years have you studied English? ______________
Do you speak any other languages besides your native language and English? Which ones?
_____________________________________________________________________________
About your academic and community interests:
Academic subjects you are most interested in: _____________________________________
Please describe the activities (extracurricular, community, hobbies) in which you have
participated, how long you have been involved with each, any awards or honors. Use
additional space as needed. Highlight any experiences with diversity and disability groups.
Future studies and/or possible occupations you have considered: ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Essay Questions: Please respond to the following short essay questions in no more than
250 words each.
o Describe why you want to participant in the MYLP exchange. How will this experience
help you achieve your goals? How will your participation in this program benefit your
community?
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
o Describe a situation where you served as a leader during a group project, and organized
work project or activity, or a community service project. Explain your role and how the
experience impacted you:
o What does environmental sustainability mean to you?
o What do you consider to be a pressing environmental issue for your community? Please
explain.
o During this exchange, you will act as an ambassador for your country. In this context,
what would you like people to know about you and your country?
o In what ways are you an effective leader? What leadership skills would you like to
improve?
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
o What community service project would like to plan and implement in your local
community upon your return home?
More about you:
Do you have a valid passport? _______
If yes:
Issuing Country ____________________________
Passport Number ________________ Expiration Date (day/month/year) __________________
Have you ever lived and/or studied in the United States or in another country? __________
If yes: Where, when, and why?
_____________________________________________________
Applicant signature:
By signing below, I verify that all the information in this application is true. I agree that if
chosen to participate, I will participate in ALL program activities in the United States and
Myanmar, including any pre-departure virtual and in person activities, orientations, and
follow-on activities. I understand that I must remain with the program throughout the
entire exchange and return home with my fellow program participants at the completion of
the U.S. exchange. I further understand that personal travel within the United States during
the program is not permitted.
I understand that if I am selected as a program participant, I will be required to be fully
vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) prior to travel to the United States.
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
Please note that the safety of participants and our communities is our number one priority.
In-person exchange is contingent upon the continued stabilization of the pandemic, the
easing of travel restrictions, and the safety of travel.
__________________________________________________
Date _____________
Parent/Guardian signature(s):
I permit my child to apply for and, if selected, to participate in this program.
__________________________________________________
Date _____________
__________________________________________________
Date _____________
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.
MYANMAR YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:
Reference
For the Applicant: Below, fill in your name and give this form to a teacher or other adult outside your
family who knows you well. The form needs to be in English. Ask the reference to fill out the form
and return it to RangoonUSECA@state.gov.
Applicant Name ____________________________________________________________
For the Reference: The applicant named above is applying to take part in the Myanmar Youth
Leadership Program, a six-week exchange program in the United States for secondary school age
youth and adult mentors. The selected youth will take part in an intensive leadership training. To
succeed, the participants must be highly motivated, and be able to adjust to living and working with
people of different social and cultural backgrounds. We value your honest assessment of the
applicant in helping us select the most appropriate participants. If you would like to add additional
comments, we encourage you to do so. Your answers will remain confidential.
Please indicate your opinion of this applicant’s ability to meet the challenges of this program
_____ I strongly recommend this applicant
_____ I recommend this applicant
_____ I have minor reservations about recommending this applicant
_____ I have major reservations about recommending this applicant
_____ I do not recommend this applicant
How long, and in what context or capacity, have you known this applicant?
What are the applicant’s strengths?
What are the academic or personal areas in which this applicant needs improvement?
Please describe the applicant’s behavior or attitude with respect to authority, peer relationships,
responsibility, and work activities.
Do you think the applicant would adapt well to unfamiliar environments and new situations? Why or
why not?
Name (printed) _____________________________________________________________________
Signature _______________________________________ Date ______________________________
This Application is free of charge and may be duplicated.