DURATION
- Five weeks during the summer (June-July)
APPLICATION PERIOD
Between October and December
IMPORTANT
Review eligibility requirements below and include all required documents in your online application.
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders are intensive short-term (five-week) academic programs during the summer designed for undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 to deeper their understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. Each Institute has about 20 participants from different countries. The Institutes consist of a four-week academic residency in the United States with a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. Site visits, leadership development, cultural activities, and community service complement the coursework and academic sessions. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy to Belgium.
Between October and December
Review eligibility requirements below and include all required documents in your online application.
The Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement, hosted by Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan
This Institute 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. To enhance the academic experience, the Institute will focus on specific themes such as civil rights and protections; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); citizen journalism, social movements, education, governance, minority communities, leadership, and media.
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.
The application deadline for the summer 2024 program was December 18, 2023.
Top-ranked applicants will be invited for a mandatory interview in mid to late January. If the candidate has completed any post-secondary courses, he or she should also submit transcripts (grade reports) for those courses along with the final application.
The complete application includes your application form, a personal statement (max. 500 words), and two recommendation forms to be completed by professors or professional supervisors. For clarity, please type as much of the application as possible.
All applications are evaluated by the staff of the Fulbright Commission in Brussels and the U.S. Embassy of Brussels. The most competitive applicants demonstrate ambassadorial qualities and a genuine interest in cultural exchange. More details on the SUSI Program for Student Leaders can be found here.
*Having trouble downloading the application form? Some browsers may restrict downloads. Please try a different browser or ask us for an application form by email.