Open Call: Student Leaders Comparative Public Policymaking Program (Pakistan)

This program is only for undergraduate female students. Hosted by the University of Kansas, the SUSI Albright Young Women Leaders Program is a five-week exchange that will examine topics including women in public service in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors; public policy advocacy; and the development and implementation of public policy into practice.

The program will examine policymaking at the federal, state, and local levels of government and weave together a strong understanding of American institutions.

The Institute will focus on subthemes such as the need for diversity in the policymaking process, civil rights and protections, food security, environmental policy, immigration, education, and leadership.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit for the duration of the program.  Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations.  COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) policy.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible candidates must:
  • Be proficient in English;
  • Have an interest in the topic of public policymaking;
  • Be between 18 and 25 years of age;
  • Have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of the program; demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
  • Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
  • Have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
  • Demonstrate commitment to community and extracurricular university activities;
  • Have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
  • Be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
  • Be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and educational travel; and
  • Be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following candidates are ineligible to participate:
  • An employee or immediate family member of employees of the U.S. Government or Fulbright commission;
  • Persons with a dual U.S./Pakistan nationality; and
  • Participants from past SUSIs or the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) who are now considered SUSI or Global UGRAD alumni.

Requirements

• Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start date of the Institute or remain in the United States after its end date. Similarly, participants will not be permitted to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the United States. If a relative or friend wishes to visit them, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Participants are required to return to their home countries immediately following the end of the Institute(s).
• Violations of program rules, host institution rules, or local, state, or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

For more information, visit SUSI.