Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
Online United States of America
Vitual and U.S.-based activities.
Overview
Preparing the next generation of leaders.
Details
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) is a fully-funded exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. YSEALI PFP provides emerging leaders from Southeast Asia the opportunity to spend five to six weeks in the United States gaining professionally relevant fellowship experiences at non-profit, public, or private sector organizations. The program is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance Fellows’ leadership and professional skills, and build lasting and sustainable partnerships between emerging leaders in Southeast Asia and the United States. YSEALI PFP is administered under four Institute themes: Civic Engagement; Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Empowerment; and Society and Governance; Sustainability and the Environment.
YSEALI PFP is open to professionals age 25-35 from any of the eleven YSEALI countries.
Program Elements
Leadership and Professional Development Curriculum
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The program will begin with a virtual program launch to provide an overview of the virtual activities
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Fellows will participate in Leading Change, an online leadership course designed to strengthen competencies in community action, leadership, management, and media literacy
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Fellows will participate in a personalized virtual Alumni Mentor Program to receive guidance before, during, and after the program and facilitate their immersion into the broader alumni network
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Fellows will participate in a professional development session and one-on-one calls with American experts prior to the U.S.-based Institute
Professional Fellowship Institute
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Fellows will participate in a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as well as an arrival orientation and integrated professional study tour in a U.S. city
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Fellows will spend four weeks in an individually tailored fellowship experience working in a U.S. placement host organization
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Fellows will participate in a community service opportunity to engage with a U.S. community and participate in civic engagement
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Fellows will develop a follow-on Action Plan proposal to complete a project that meets a specific objective and builds on their participation in the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program
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Fellows will have a home hospitality experience with an American host family
YSEALI Fellows Forum (YFF)
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At the conclusion of the YSEALI PFP Institutes, Fellows will participate in a program-wide conference called the YSEALI Fellows Forum (YFF)
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The YFF will bring together Fellows from across all four Institute themes for the opportunity to network and collaborate
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The YFF offers exposure to speakers and workshops designed to further Fellows’ professional competencies
Alumni Engagement Opportunities
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Fellows will design follow-on Action Plans to address challenges encountered in their home community
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Fellows will be eligible to invite a U.S. placement host from the fellowship placement to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in the Fellow’s home community
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Fellows will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
To be eligible to apply, individuals must:
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Be a citizen and resident of one of the eleven YSEALI PFP nations: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Applicants living outside of the eleven eligible countries or on a long-term program will not be considered eligible to apply.
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Be an emerging leader in government, civil society, or the private sector who has demonstrated expertise pertaining to the respective theme under which he/she is applying.
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Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.
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Be between 25 and 35 years old at the time of application (born between August 15, 1989-April 30, 2000).
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Be self-directed and able to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting.
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Be able to identify an objective/project of their own selection that the applicant would like to implement in their home workplace or community.
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Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and oral English.
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Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.
The following individuals are NOT eligible to apply:
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U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States
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Individuals who are currently participating in academic, training, or research programs, or who are currently working in the United States
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Individuals residing or working outside the eligible YSEALI PFP nations at the time of the program
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Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g., Public Affairs Sections at U.S. embassies or other U.S. government agency) and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of the application
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Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years and are awaiting change of status by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
If you are selected as a finalist, the U.S. Department of State will cover costs associated with your international travel, visa, and basic living costs in the U.S. There are no required costs to Fellows.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
