Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program (Thailand)

The program will feature interactive workshops and sessions, including site visits, homestays, and a study tour. Through engagement with U.S. high schools, community organizations, youth groups, and community leaders, students and adult mentor participants will explore challenges facing the U.S. and ASEAN in the 21st century.

The program focuses on leadership and youth development. It will also allow participants to explore shared challenges faced by the United States and ASEAN member countries. These challenges are explored through the three pillars of the ASEAN community: political and security cooperation, economic skills-building (through the exchange’s project development), and socio-cultural leadership (through hands-on activities, workshops, seminars, and site visits to foster greater communication). Participants will develop projects to address the needs of their communities upon their return home. Preference will be given to participants who have not traveled to the United States.

Segments

• This is an intensive program with three segments:
  • A pre-departure orientation in Bangkok;
  • A three-week U.S.-based exchange program which will offer students and their adult mentor the opportunity to explore the principles of leadership and community activism in the United States; and
  • Follow-on activities related to participants conducting projects in their home communities.

What else do you need to know?

• Covered Expenses: If you are selected for the program, the United States government, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University (NIU), will pay for domestic transportation, international transportation to and from the United States, alumni activities, lodging, stipends, in-country program related expenses (including domestic travel for visa interviews and/or pre-departure orientation), in-country lodging and expenses, accident and sickness coverage, and other program costs.
• Personal Expenses: Participants are responsible for expenses related to the application process (copying, mailing, photographs, etc.), passport fees, and spending money for souvenirs, telephone calls, and other personal items in the United States.
• Visas: Participants will travel to the United States on J-1 exchange visitor visas provided through this program. By accepting this visa, participants will be subject to a two-year home residency requirement, meaning they must return to and live in their home country for a total of two years before they would be eligible for an immigrant or temporary worker U.S. visa.  This does not restrict other types of visas, however, so this would not prevent you from being able to apply for a student visa to attend university, for example.

Eligibility Criteria

• Student applicants must
  • Be a Thai citizen currently residing and studying in Thailand (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered);
  • Be born between April 20, 2007 to April 20, 2009;
  • Be a high school student and have a high school graduation year of 2025 or later;
  • Have proficiency in English;
  • Have not traveled to the United States;
  • Have permission from both parent(s)/guardian(s) and schools to participate in the entire program.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand.