Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI)

2025 Call for Applications

Open from October 7 – November 11, 2024

1. SUSI Student Leaders – Comparative Public Policymaking

2. SUSI Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders – Public Policy

Program Descriptions:

Student Leaders – Comparative Public Policymaking (male and female applicants)

Hosted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the SUSI Student Leaders program is a five-
week exchange that will explore issues of public policy and democracy in the United States and
compare U.S. policy with that of Pakistan. The program will examine policymaking at the
federal, state, and local levels of government and weave together a strong understanding of
American institutions. The Institute will focus on subthemes such as the need for diversity in
the policymaking process, civil rights and protections, food security, environmental policy,
immigration, education, and leadership. If conditions allow, the SUSI will include a one-week
integrated study tour in the United States with visits to Boston, Massachusetts; New York City,
New York; Washington, D.C.; and Richmond, Virginia.

Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders – Public Policy (female applicants only)

This program is only for undergraduate female students. Hosted by the University of Kansas,
the SUSI Albright Young Women Leaders Program is a five-week exchange that will examine
topics including women in public service in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors; public
policy advocacy; and the development and implementation of public policy into practice.
Participants will examine how American government policies, business and private sector
practices, and sociocultural norms and values engage and affect women through the thematic
lens of Public Policy. Specific program components may include a visit to St. Louis, Missouri, a
panel discussion at Boeing with women leaders, a tour of the Kansas State capitol in Topeka,
and a self-defense course.

Candidate Eligibility:

Eligible candidates must:

• be proficient in English;
• have an interest in the topic of public policymaking;
• be between 18 and 25 years of age;
• have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and be committed to
returning to their home universities following completion of the program; demonstrate
strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards,
and teacher recommendations;
• demonstrate commitment to community and extracurricular university activities;
• have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere
outside of their home country;
• 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
adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

Candidate Ineligibility:

The following candidates are ineligible to participate:

• An employee or immediate family member of employees of the U.S. Government or

Fulbright commission;
• Persons with a dual U.S./Pakistan nationality; and
• Participants from past SUSIs or the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD)
who are now considered SUSI or Global UGRAD alumni.

Programs’ Requirements and Restrictions:

Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start
date of the Institute or remain in the United States after its end date. Similarly, participants will
not be permitted to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the United States. If a
relative or friend wishes to visit them, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Participants
are required to return to their home countries immediately following the end of the Institute(s).

Violations of program rules, host institution rules, or local, state, or federal laws can be grounds
for immediate dismissal from the program.

Other Essential Information:

Program Funding: U.S. Government will cover all participant costs, including program
administration; international and visa travel, travel allowances, domestic travel, and ground
transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence
as well as arrange and pay for participants’ international and visa travel costs and travel
allowances within set limits, if the program is conducted in person.

Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in shared university dorms on campus with
common bathrooms. For Comparative Public Policymaking program, male participants will be
housed on one floor and female participants on a separate floor. For female specific program,
two females will share one room. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though
participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. It is important that
participants are aware of these arrangements and that they are comfortable with such
accommodations. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet,
daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.

Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000
with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit for the duration of
the program. Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy
exclusions and limitations. COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the Accident and
Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) policy. Information on the health benefit program may
be found online at https://www.sevencorners.com/gov/usdos.

How to Apply:

Complete an online application form (link below) by 11:59 pm on Monday, November 11,
2024. Any application received after this time due to any reason will automatically be
disqualified.

While answering questions, please be mindful of the word limits.

The Public Diplomacy Section will contact applicants selected for interviews based on the
criteria above, as demonstrated in the application. Interviews will take place either in person or
virtually by around mid to late December 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
for interviews.

The list of finalists and alternates will be announced between mid-April and early May 2025.
Selected participants will need to obtain passports and apply for U.S. visas with the assistance
of the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy.

Students will receive orientation materials in the weeks prior to the start of the program to help
prepare them for the program and their trip to the United States, if an in-person program is
conducted. Participants may have an opportunity to speak with the Public Diplomacy Section
about the program.

Subject to (any) travel restrictions and visa approvals, participants will travel to the United
States for the Institute in the summer of 2025.

If you have any further questions not covered in the Frequently Asked Questions below, you
may contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in SUSI and good luck with your applications!

Online Application Form Link:

https://pk-usembassy.wizehive.app/program/susi/info?cycleId=1CFc2yqnFQLVQpPZjutgfy

Frequently Asked Questions:

a. Are the shortlisted candidates required to be interviewed?

Yes. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan will interview shortlisted candidates for Study
of the U.S. Institutes programs. The interviews will be conducted in English. Interviews may
take place in person or via video conference.

b. What degree of English proficiency should a candidate have?

All shortlisted candidates must be fully proficient in English. If selected, they will need to fully
understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in
English.

c. Can someone who is a dual citizen of the U.S. and country of origin participate in Study of
the U.S. Institutes?
No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are NOT eligible to participate in
this program.

d. Can someone who is not a citizen of Pakistan apply for this program?
Yes. Study of the U.S. Institutes are multi-country group programs designed to further mutual
understanding between U.S. citizens and people of other countries. If you are a permanent
resident but not a citizen of Pakistan, please explain clearly on the application the reasons why
you have applied. Temporary or transient residents of the nominating country would normally
not be considered.
e. Is someone who has been to the United States before eligible for the program?
Yes. Individuals with minimal experience in the United States may be considered for the
program. However, priority will be given to applicants with no previous experience in the
United States.

f. Can family members of U.S. government and Fulbright commission employees apply for the
program?
No. Applicants who are employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S.
Government (including a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity)
or Fulbright commissions are ineligible.

g. During the in-person portion of the program, how much free time will a participant have?
There will be some free time during the program. However, participants MUST understand that
this is an intensive academic program, and they are expected to fully participate in all lectures,
activities, site visits, and scheduled events.

h. If the participant has relatives in the United States, would he/she/they have time to see
them, during the in-person portion of the program?
Participants will NOT be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends. Occasionally
it is possible for a relative or friend to visit the participant on a specific day designated by the
U.S. host institution if the schedule permits. These situations will be considered on a case-by-
case basis.

i. During the in-person portion of the program, can a participant arrive early/late or stay after
the Institute?
No. Participants who choose to travel to the United States on a Study of the U.S. Institute are
required to abide by the terms and conditions of the program. These terms state clearly that
student leaders may NOT arrive in the United States before the program start date or remain in
the country after the close of the Institute.

j. Can a graduate student participate in the SUSI for Student Leaders Institute?
No. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders are designed exclusively for undergraduate
students with at least one remaining semester of study.

k. Can a participant miss one part or component of the Institute?

All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and
activities.

l. If a candidate is chosen as an alternate, what are the chances that they will participate in
the program?
If a selected candidate is not able to participate, an alternate may be chosen to participate from
the alternate list, if time allows.
m. How much money will participants need to bring for the in-person portion of the
program?
The Study of the U.S. Institutes cover all basic costs of an individual’s participation including
transportation, lodging, and meals. Generally, host institutions provide for meals through a
combination of a cafeteria meal plan, a pre-loaded debit card for use at local restaurants,
and/or a cash allowance to permit participants to purchase food for cooking. Participants
should not expect to receive any spending money from the Institute. Participants should bring
their own spending money if they wish to purchase souvenirs or other items during their time
in the United States.

o. I participated in the English Access Microscholarship Program; can I participate in this

Institute?
Yes.

p. My sibling participated in SUSI in previous years. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. However, priority will be given to participants who are unrelated to past SUSI participants.

q. Will applicants with disabilities be considered?

Yes, individuals with disabilities are welcome to apply. The Study of the U.S. Branch works with
its implementing partners to arrange reasonable accommodations for all participants.