Dear YSEALI Members in Indonesia,

Greetings from U.S. Embassy Jakarta! We hope this message finds you well.

Spring 2020 YSEALI Academic Fellowships

Over the past 70 years, exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Indonesia have brought thousands of Indonesian citizens to the United States to study, engage in cultural exchange, and take part in building the U.S.-Indonesia strategic partnership. As we continue to come together across borders to address the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, we are thrilled to announce the next YSEALI Academic Fellowship opportunity will take place in Spring 2020.

Eligible Indonesian YSEALI members can apply for the Spring 2020 Academic Fellowship online until 09.00 WIB on October 18th, 2019!

The YSEALI Academic Fellowships are intensive, short-term academic exchanges that aim to provide young leaders in Southeast Asia with a deeper understanding of the United States while they develop leadership skills and examine one of the YSEALI themes in depth. These five-week institutes, held on the campus of a U.S. university or college, include an academic residency, leadership development programs, an educational study tour, local community service activities, and opportunities to engage with peers in the U.S. Each program concludes in Washington, D.C. to allow for engagement with policymakers, governmental representatives, businesses, and think tanks.

Since Spring 2015, hundreds of Indonesian YSEALI members have joined fellows from all ten ASEAN countries and Timor Leste to complete a YSEALI Academic Fellowship on one of three themes:

•         Civic Engagement
•         Environment Issues and Natural Resources Management
•         Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Economic Development

Who is eligible to apply?
YSEALI members aged 18-25 who are current students or who graduated from university less than five years ago.

Technical Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be:

• Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application;
• A citizen of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, or Vietnam;
• A resident of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, or Vietnam;
• Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.;
• A full-time undergraduate student or graduated less than five years ago from an institution of higher learning;
• Proficient in English. Able to read, write, and speak English in a U.S. university classroom setting. (Note: No TOEFL, IELTS, or other test score is required. English language ability is evaluated through the application form and interviews with YSEALI program staff);
• Eligible to receive a J-1 visa (a J-1 visa is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs to the United States sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. As an Indonesian recipient of the J-1 visa for the YSEALI Academic Fellowship program, you will be subject to a two-year Foreign Residency Requirement. This means that for a period of two years after your return from the Academic Fellowship program, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa to immigrate to the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident or to apply for a work visa that would allow you to accept employment in the United States without a waiver. However, the Foreign Residency Requirement does not affect your eligibility for U.S. student, tourist, or business visas.

Selection Criteria
Applicants should:

• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, place of work,  and/or community;
• Demonstrate interest, knowledge, or professional experience in one or more YSEALI theme (civic engagement, entrepreneurship and economic growth, environment issues,);
• Demonstrate a commitment to or interest in community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
• Be willing to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service activity, and study tour;
• Commit to use what they learn on the YSEALI Academic Fellowship to benefit their home community, country, and the region; and
• Have little or no prior experience in the United States.

How to Apply:

Submit an electronic application HERE by October 18th, 2019 at 09.00 AM. Jakarta time / 09:00 WIB

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be notified to schedule an interview.

Questions? E-mail us at YSEALIjkt@state.gov

More information: Click here