National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466 | Fax: 1-202-293-7770
www.ncusar.org
2600 Virginia Ave., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 1-202-337-9450| Fax: 1-202-337-2978
www.sacm.org/
Saudi Arabia Exchange Fellowship
Cultural and Educational Exchange Experience for
American Model Arab League Alumni
APPLICATION FORM
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR), in collaboration with the Saudi
Arabian Cultural Mission to the U.S. (SACM) and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE), is pleased to sponsor the Saudi Arabia Exchange Fellowship. Ten American
university students, joined by five American educators, will be selected for this prestigious
program, which lasts for approximately one calendar year. The Saudi Arabia Exchange Fellowship
consists of three parts:
1. Pre-departure Period - October-December 2015: after being selected, participants build their
background knowledge of modern Saudi Arabia, prepare to be exposed to a new culture, and begin
to plan the logistics of the next year of Fellowship activities.
2. Study Visit - December 26, 2015-January 6, 2016 (tentative): beginning with a pre-departure
orientation in Washington, DC, participants then travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for an
immersive experience in the country’s culture, society, and economics, as well as government
priorities, concerns and needs as they pertain to Saudi-U.S. relations and the Kingdom’s role in
regional and world affairs. Within the Kingdom, the delegation will be accompanied by two
NCUSAR escorts and various Saudi officials while being introduced to a broad range of
government and business representatives, academics, policymakers, specialists, and student
peers, as well as traditional and modern Saudi Arabian culture and life.
3. Fellowship Year - January-December 2016: after returning to the U.S., participants spend the
following calendar year implementing a variety of programs, events, and outreach efforts in their
home communities. These programs aim to share participants’ newfound knowledge of Saudi
Arabia with the American public, multiplying the educational impact of the program.
Eligibility
Student applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited American university for the
duration of the program, October 2015-December 2016, and must be in good academic standing.
Alumni of the Model Arab League leadership development program are eligible to apply. Eligible
students will first be nominated by their Model Arab League faculty advisers before receiving an
application, after which they will be required to complete the application process described
below. Only one student per university will be selected, and preference is given to juniors or other
non-graduating upperclassmen.
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National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466 | Fax: 1-202-293-7770
www.ncusar.org
2600 Virginia Ave., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 1-202-337-9450| Fax: 1-202-337-2978
www.sacm.org/
Program Purpose Statement
While thousands of Saudi Arabian students visit and study in the U.S. each year, very few American
students have a reciprocal opportunity. As a result, the average Saudi Arabian citizen knows a great
deal about American culture, economics, government, etc. while Americans remain uninformed of the
nuances, intricacies, and even basic details of a country of such strategic importance and interest to
the United States. The Saudi Arabia Fellowship was formed to help remedy this shortcoming and
enhance knowledge and understanding of Saudi Arabia among America’s future leaders and public.
A completed application includes the following items:
1) A résumé
2) A current transcript (unofficial acceptable; official transcripts must be submitted if selected)
3) A letter of recommendation, preferably from your Model Arab League Faculty Adviser
4) A cover letter detailing your interest in the region, your experience in the Model Arab League,
and what you believe you can contribute to the program, not exceeding 2 pages
5) A clear photocopy of your American passport, and two passport-style photos (approx. 2”x2” in
color, face directly forward and unsmiling, white background, printed on glossy paper – please
have these made at a local passport office or photo center like CVS, Walgreens, etc.)
6) An outline detailing your proposed post-visit Fellowship Year activities, not exceeding 3 pages,
while maintaining adequate creativity and detail
If chosen to participate, you will spend one year sharing your experiences in Saudi Arabia and
the knowledge you gain through it with your home communities – hometown, university,
religious affiliation, civic organizations, etc. – through a variety of written articles, events,
presentations, or other programs. Typical Fellowship Year activities include at least 7+
separate activities that reach a variety of constituencies, and utilize a variety of direct and
indirect methods. While the selection process favors those with ambitious plans, make sure
your plan is achievable and realistic.
7) The following completed forms from this application:
a) Contact Information and Educational Status (Page 3)
b) Emergency Information
(Page 4)
c) Fellowship Program Contract
(Page 5)
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National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466 | Fax: 1-202-293-7770
www.ncusar.org
2600 Virginia Ave., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 1-202-337-9450| Fax: 1-202-337-2978
www.sacm.org/
PROGRAM NOTES:
**COSTS: This program is considered expense-paid. This includes international roundtrip
airfare from Washington, DC to Saudi Arabia; visa application fee; and all in-country
programming. A program fee of $400.00 must be paid by those accepted into the program in
order to reduce attrition. Fellows are also required to cover their own expenses to travel to
and from Washington, D.C. for the pre-departure orientation.
**TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: All participants must hold a U.S. Passport that will not expire
before June 2016. Those whose passport contains a stamp or entry visa to the State of Israel
must obtain a new passport which does not contain markings indicating previous travel to
Israel. This is to adhere to Saudi Arabian travel and visa protocol.
CONTACT INFORMATION
FULL NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTITUTION WHERE EMPLOYED: _______________________________________________________________________
HOMETOWN, STATE: _______________________________________________________________________________________
PERMANENT ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________
ALT. E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________
MOBILE PHONE: ________________________________
OTHER PHONE: ____________________________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME(S) AND RELATIONSHIP: __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
PERMANENT ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________
OFFICE OR PROFESSIONAL PHONE: _____________________________________________________________________
HOME PHONE: __________________________________ MOBILE PHONE: ______________________________________
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National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466 | Fax: 1-202-293-7770
www.ncusar.org
2600 Virginia Ave., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 1-202-337-9450| Fax: 1-202-337-2978
www.sacm.org/
DOCTOR'S NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________________
DOCTOR'S TELEPHONE: __________________________________________________________________________________
Please list any medical conditions the Council and sponsoring organizations should be aware of:
Please list any special instructions you may have in case of an emergency:
EDUCATIONAL STATUS
EXPECTED DATE OF GRADUATION: _________________
CURRENT ACADEMIC STATUS: [Freshman___] [Sophomore___] [Junior___] [Senior___]
[1st Year Graduate___] [2nd Year Graduate___] [Other____________________
MODEL ARAB LEAGUE CONFERENCES ATTENDED AND ANY AWARDS RECEIVED:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS AND UPCOMING TRAVEL
Please list each foreign country you have visited or plan to visit before December 2016, the
purpose of the travel, and the approximate travel dates. Include short term travels, study abroad
programs, etc. Please note that if you have previously traveled or will travel to Israel, your current
passport must not bear any Israeli visas or entrance or exit stamps in order to enter Saudi Arabia.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466 | Fax: 1-202-293-7770
www.ncusar.org
2600 Virginia Ave., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 1-202-337-9450| Fax: 1-202-337-2978
www.sacm.org/
SAUDI ARABIA EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM CONTRACT
Required Agreements for all Applicants
All applicants are required to 'x' the boxes and sign below indicating they have read and understand
the following agreements. Applicants must also answer all the questions found in this section:
____Financial Responsibility – I understand it is my responsibility to cover the cost of transportation
to and from Washington, DC one day prior to the departure date, and related costs prior to departure
and after return. Roundtrip airfare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as in-country lodging,
transportation, and meals, will be covered by the program. Incidentals throughout are the
responsibility of the participant.
____Medical and Repatriation Costs – I understand that medical and repatriation costs incurred
during the Fellowship are not covered by the program and are the responsibility of the participants.
Participants are highly encouraged to check with their current healthcare provider for information,
and to purchase adequate travelers insurance coverage.
____Internship Status – I understand that all internships and fellowships provided under the auspices
of the NCUSAR are unpaid.
____Follow-Up and Expectations – I understand that this Fellowship requires my full participation in
all events related to the program, including pre-departure briefings in Washington, DC and all
programming within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, I understand that I am expected to
create and execute a post-visit Fellowship Year Plan in the calendar year following the visit,
conforming with the standards and minimum requirements outlined by the National Council. I
understand that failure to meet these standards and minimum requirements for my Fellowship Year
activities constitutes a breach of confidence with the National Council and sponsoring entities which
may result in legal action and/or the reimbursement of costs incurred by the National Council and
sponsoring entities (SACM, MOHE, etc.).
____Personal Conduct - I understand that I am a representative of my university, of the National
Council, SACM, and MOHE at all times and in all public places. I agree to abide by the laws of the United
States, the District of Columbia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and any state where I may be domiciled
or present. I agree to accept and abide by the rules and standards dictated by Saudi Arabian culture
and to conduct myself professionally and to the standards of internationally accepted personal
behavior at all times. I further understand that my failure to meet these laws, rules, and standards may
result in me being dismissed from the program. Should this occur, it will be my responsibility to cover
any costs associated with my dismissal, including return travel to the United States, etc.
1. Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any school you have
attended, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct that resulted in
your probation, suspension, removal, dismissal or expulsion from the institution?
____YES ____NO
2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
___YES ____NO
If you answered yes to either or both questions, please attach a separate document(s) that gives the
approximate date of each incident and explains the circumstances.
SIGNATURE: _____________________________________________
DATE: _______________________
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National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466 | Fax: 1-202-293-7770
www.ncusar.org
2600 Virginia Ave., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 1-202-337-9450| Fax: 1-202-337-2978
www.sacm.org/
COMPLETED SAUDI ARABIA EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS
SHOULD BE EMAILED TO:
Mr. Josh Hilbrand
Director of Student Programs, NCUSAR
JOSH@NCUSAR.ORG
PASSPORT-STYLE PHOTOS MUST BE MAILED VIA POST TO:
ATTN: Saudi Arabia Malone Fellowship
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
1730 M Street, NW, Suite 503
Washington, DC 20036
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JULY 17, 2015
Application materials will be accepted via email attachment to JOSH@NCUSAR.ORG by 4:00PM on
July 17th, 2015. Recommenders may email letters directly. Passport-style photos must be mailed
via post, and must be postmark dated July 17th, 2015 or earlier for full consideration.
If you have any questions please call Josh Hilbrand at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
at (202) 293-6466 or email josh@ncusar.org
SAUDI ARABIA EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIP
⇔
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