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2010 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TRANSATLANTIC FELLOWS SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH

Deadline: March 15, 2010

We are pleased to announce a summer institute for young Americans and Europeans, following the model of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows institutes convened in the summers of 2006, 2007, and 2008. All of these institutes intend to foster relationships among the younger generations of Europeans and Americans to promote awareness of shared values in light of the global challenges of the 21st Century.

The Summer Institute will enable teenagers ages 16-18 to participate in an intensive, three- to four-week exchange program in the United States that focuses on the global issues that European and American youth face on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Students will participate in a variety of activities such as training sessions, workshops, community-based programs, study tours, and cultural events. Participants will work together to prepare a joint project that presents and promotes the stated goals and objectives of the Institute.

There will be one institute in the summer of 2010 with approximately 45 students: up to 35 European students plus 10 Americans. The institute will take place in July 2010, while the venue has not been determined yet.

The goals of the Institute are: 

1. to develop a commitment to transatlantic cooperation; 
2. to foster relationships between American and European youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups;
3. to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Europe/Eurasia, and 
4. to develop a cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action.

Candidate Qualifications

1. Between 16 and 18 years of age as of July 1, 2010;
2. Highly proficient in English, as demonstrated in a personal interview or the results of a standardized test, such as SLEP or the TOEFL; 
3. Committed to enrolling in high school or university in their home countries in fall 2010, following completion of the Institute; 
4. Demonstrate strong leadership potential (please list projects/events to support this);
5. Indicate a serious interest in transatlantic relations and and in learning about the United States; 
6. Sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades (grade point average of minimum 4.0), awards, and teacher recommendations;
7. Demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
8. Demonstrated interest in communications, advocacy, debate, or civic participation (through the involvement with such organizations, NGOs, in school projects etc.)
9. Have had little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience in the United States; nominees with significant U.S. experience may be considered on a case by case basis;
10. Mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive;
11.  Willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer program, community service, and active educational travel program; 
12. Comfortable with campus life, shared living accommodations, travel and interaction with a multinational, coed group of participants from across Europe and the U.S., and comfortable with engaging various Americans in the broader community. Able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home countries.

Information on last years' summer institute can be found at http://www.bftf.org

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For more information please contact:
Ms. Masa Crnjakovic
Public Affairs Office
U.S. Embassy
Thomasa Jeffersona 2
10010 Zagreb
e-mail: crnjakovicm@state.gov

Materials

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Previous year's competition

Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative (2008)
Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative (2007)