Program duration: 5 weeks from mid-June – early August 2023 (tentative)

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders is designed to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The Institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities. The Institutes will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic study tour of approximately one week. During the academic residency, participants will also engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom.

Students will also have the opportunity to meet with community leaders, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S. where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field. Should conditions allow, the SUSIs for Student Leaders from Europe will begin with an Opening Forum in Washington, D.C., bringing together participants in all two Institutes for networking, foundational leadership skills development, and exploring relevant topics from multi-regional perspectives. 

In 2023 the following Institutes are offered:

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement, hosted by Michigan State University, will provide participants with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups. The academic program will define civic engagement; examine its development in the United States; and explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism. Academic sessions will be complemented with hands-on sessions or workshops designed to build skills in the topics mentioned above. The Institute will encourage participants to develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged citizens in their own communities. Academic activities will be supplemented with a study tour to Seattle, Washington.

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Environmental Issues will provide participants with an overview of climate change along with its impact on communities in the American west, natural resources, and the local economy. Academic sessions will explore clean energy, sustainable development, the risks of natural disasters, and the intersection of climate justice and community activism.  In order to enhance the academic experience, the Institute will focus on specific themes and sub-topics such as strategic communication, social justice, emergency response, water rights, and energy efficiency and sustainability. Academic activities will be supplemented by opportunities to engage with the local community, including a weekend home-stay, meeting with local environmental non-profits.  The host institution will be identified at the time of participant selection.

The Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.

The participants are expected to be highly motivated first through third year undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Their fields of study can vary, and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.

Candidates nominated for this program will:

• be citizens of Russia living and studying in the Russian Federation;
• be proficient in English;
• be between 18 and 25 years of age;
• be first through third year undergraduate students from colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education and be committed to return 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 make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

If you have any questions, please email apply.susi@gmail.com

Completed applications should be sent on apply.susi@gmail.com before December 4, 2022 (23:59 Moscow time)

Please find SUSI 2023 Program Application here.