CENTRAL VISAYAS, Sept. 25 (PIA) --The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy-Manila announces the call for applications for the Winter 2015 YSEALI Institute on Religious Pluralism.
The Institute will take place from January 10- February 14, 2015 at Temple University in Philadelphia, United States. Deadline for nominations is October 10, 2014.
All nominations must be electronic and addressed to Ej Bautista, Cultural Affairs Assistant, at philippinesyseali@gmail.com
The purpose of this intensive academic program is to provide undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while enhancing their leadership skills.
The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will consist of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.
Educational travel, local site visits, and volunteer opportunities will complement coursework and classroom activities.
The Institute will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic travel component of approximately one week, to include a 2-3 day closing program in Washington, DC.
The Institute will explore U.S. history, society, and institutions within the context of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.
Participants will meet with U.S. community leaders of different faiths that advocate for collaboration and tolerance among religious groups.
They will also examine the leadership role that religious officials play in their own societies and develop ideas for positive social change.
During their four-day study tour, participants will travel to Florida where they will have the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites and discuss topics related to immigration and the Native-American experience.
The United States Embassy will cover all participant costs, including: international airfare; insurance coverage; program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; incidental allowances; housing and subsistence; and per diem for meals.
Participants will be expected to share a room with another student of the same gender. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing and medical care are respected.
Candidates for this program should: Have a strong interest in religious pluralism; represent diverse ethnic and religious groups; be fluent in English; be between 18 and 25 years of age; be willing to share their U.S. experience with peers, community groups and other relevant organizations upon their return home, as local circumstances allow.
They must also be willing to join the broader YSEALI network; have at least one semester remaining in their university studies and be committed to returning home to complete their degree; demonstrate strong leadership qualities; indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States.
They must have a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations; have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular university activities; have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere.
Candidates must 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 communities. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports from the Public Affairs/U.S.Embassy)