For UPNVJ academic community members aged 18-25 who wish to study in the United States briefly and for free, you can apply for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship Fall 2023. The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is a short-term, intensive academic program designed to provide a group of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a specific theme while enhancing their leadership skills. The fellowship will focus on one of three themes: Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.

Requirements :

1. Aged between 18 and 25 at the time of application;
2. Citizens of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam;
3. Residents of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam;
4. Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.A full-time undergraduate or graduate student, or graduated less than five years ago from a higher education institution;
5. Proficient in English, able to read, write, and speak English in a U.S. university classroom. (Note: TOEFL, IELTS, or other test scores are not required;
6. English proficiency will be assessed through the application form and an interview with YSEALI program staff);
7. Eligible to receive a J-1 visa (The 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, meaning that for two years after you return from the fellowship program, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa to immigrate to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident or to apply for a work visa allowing you to accept employment in the United States without a waiver. However, the Foreign Residency Requirement does not affect your eligibility for student, tourist, or business visas in the U.S.).

Selection Criteria :

1. Strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, workplace, and/or community;
2. Interest, knowledge, or professional experience in one or more YSEALI themes (civic engagement, social entrepreneurship and economic development, environmental issues);
3. A commitment to or interest in community service, volunteerism, or mentoring;
4. A serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
5. Willingness to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service activities, and study tours;
6. A commitment to returning to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the Southeast Asia region; and
7. Little to no prior experience in the United States.

For further information and to register, please visit the following page https://id.usembassy.gov/education-culture/yseali/yseali-academic-fellows/ .