U.S. Embassy & Consulate
in Iraq

Study of the United States Institutes for Student Leaders Religious Freedom and Pluralism

U.S. Mission Iraq is pleased to announce the 2022 Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Religious Freedom and Pluralism.

The Study of the U.S. Branch has sponsored Student Leader Institutes since 2003.  This Institute is one of six under the umbrella of SUSIs for Global Student Leaders administered by Meridian International Center and the only SUSI for Student Leaders under the theme of Religious Pluralism in the United States. The Institutes are intensive short-term academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.  Each Institute has 20 participants.  The Institutes consist of a four-week academic residency 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.  If conditions allow, the Institute will include a one-week integrated study tour in the United States.  Note that if the program must take place virtually, participants will engage in similar activities but online from their home countries.

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will explore U.S. history, society, and institutions within the context of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.  Topics may include, but are not limited to: early religious traditions in the United States; the introduction of new religions in the United States; protection and representation of minority groups and religions; the separation of church and state; and interfaith dialogue and cooperation in a diverse and rapidly changing world.  Participants will have opportunities to meet with U.S. community leaders of different faiths who advocate for collaboration and tolerance among religious groups.  Participants will also examine the leadership role that religious officials play in their own societies and develop ideas for how they can work with leaders, of similar or different faiths, on shared goals for their societies.  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.  Should conditions allow, the SUSIs for Global Student Leaders will begin with an Opening Forum in Washington, D.C., offering opportunities for networking, foundational leadership skills development, and the exploration of relevant topics from multi-regional perspectives.

Eligibility Requirements:

• be proficient in English;
• be interested in the topic of Religious Pluralism and interfaith dialogue;
• be between 18 and 25 years of age;
• have at least one year left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to return 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,
• if the program is conducted in-person, 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; and,
• if the program must be conducted virtually, Participants should be prepared.

How to Apply:

• Applications are due to the U.S. Embassy by Monday, January 31, 2022 late submissions will not be considered.
• Click HERE (DOCX 351 KB) to download the Word Document application form.
• Click HERE (DOCX 139 KB) to download the Word Document Recommendation form.
• Evidence of enrollment in the college
• Copy of the Passport ID page
• Applications must be e-mailed to IraqExchangePrograms@state.gov before the deadline.

Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) for Scholars.

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs) are intensive post-graduate level academic programs whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.  The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States at academic institutions abroad. will take place at various colleges, universities, and academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of six weeks beginning in or after June 2022.  Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and up to two weeks of an integrated study tour to another region of the United States.  Posts and prospective applicants are encouraged to visit our website page to obtain general information about the Institutes.  The website address is: http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars in the summer will be held in the following themes in U.S. Studies: American Culture and Values; Journalism and Media; Religious Freedom and Pluralism; U.S. Economics and Business; U.S. Foreign Policy; and Youth, Workforce Development, and Closing the Skills Gap.

Eligible applicant must apply to only ONE of the following Institutes:

Institute themes:

The Institute on American Culture and Values will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.  The Institute will examine the ethnic, racial, social, economic, political, and religious contexts in which various cultures have manifested in U.S. society while focusing on the ways in which these cultures have influenced social movements and American identity throughout U.S. history.  The program will draw from a diverse disciplinary base and will itself provide a model of how a foreign university might approach the study of American culture and society.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will oversee and administer this program; New York University in New York, NY will conduct and host the Institute.

The Institute on Journalism and Media will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign journalism instructors and other related specialists with a deeper understanding of the role that journalism and the media play in U.S. society.  The Institute will examine the role of journalists in recognizing and preventing disinformation and will explore strategies for media and information literacy to counter disinformation.  Additionally, the Institute will examine best practices in journalism by discussing the rights and responsibilities of the media in a democratic society, including editorial independence, journalistic ethics, legal constraints, and international journalism.  In addition, the Institute will examine pedagogical strategies for teaching students of journalism the basics of the tradecraft: researching, critical thinking, reporting, interviewing, writing, and editing.  The program will also highlight the impact of technology in journalism, including the influence of the Internet, globalization of the news media, and other changes that are transforming the profession.  The University of Montana in Missoula, MT will oversee and administer this program; Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ will conduct and host the Institute.

The Institute on Religious Freedom and Pluralism will provide a multinational group of foreign university faculty, scholars, researchers and religious leaders with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious freedom as a foundational American value. The program will include a survey of the religious landscape of the United States, including major and minor religious groups; historic religious traditions and contemporary American religious groups will also be included.  The Institute will explore both the historical and contemporary relationship between church and state in the United States; examine interfaith understanding and dialogue, religious pluralism, freedom of religion as a fundamental unalienable human right and source of stability; and discuss ways in which religious freedom is protected.  In addition, the Institute will examine the intersections of religion and politics in the United States, especially in U.S. foreign policy.  Participants will have opportunities to meet with U.S. community leaders of different faiths who advocate for collaboration and tolerance among religious groups.

The Institute on U.S. Economics and Business will provide a multinational group of experienced foreign university faculty, researchers, experts and policymakers with a deeper understanding of key components and structures of the U.S. economy as the world’s largest economy.  Using a multidisciplinary approach, the program will explore how financial institutions, investors, and businesses interact to support growth and employment; and the institutional backdrop that is required to sustain a competitive and strong private sector, including but not limited to corporate governance structures, monetary policy, and the legal and regulatory framework of the business sector.  The program will also discuss how the United States, as the leading nation for global trade, influences industries, free markets and financial sectors around the world and advances trade, investment, and capital flows.  Participants should have a firsthand look at key institutions and stakeholders in U.S. economy and the opportunity to meet with business and corporate leaders, Wall Street executives and board members, and small business owners, among others.

The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy will provide a multinational group of experienced foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of new approaches to U.S. foreign policy and how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented.  The Institute will include a historical review of significant events, individuals, and philosophies that have shaped U.S. foreign policy.  The Institute will explain the role of key players in U.S. foreign policy including the executive and legislative branches of government, the media, the U.S. public, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral institutions.  The program will also examine the current U.S. foreign policymaking and the new trends that are shaping policy.  Topics such as the concept of American sovereignty, shifting attitudes towards globalism, U.S. foreign aid, the monitoring of foreign investment in the United States, the efforts to combat terrorism and radicalization, new trade policies and agreements, immigration and border safety, and cybersecurity will be included.  The program will also discuss the reorganization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the new U.S. approaches to international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Candidate description and qualifications:

• Candidates should be mid-career between the age of 30-35 (at least THREE – FIVE or more years of full-time, relevant employment), highly-motivated, experienced scholars and professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations (not-for-profits, think tanks, etc.);
• Eligible candidates must have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the Institute or a related field;
• Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency.  Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions;
• Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component; who have no prior or limited experience in the United States; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program.  The Institute is not a research program.  Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings.  Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program.  Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods.

Program Duration

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will take place over the course of six weeks beginning in or after June 2022.

How to Apply:

• Applications are due to the U.S. Embassy by Monday, January 31, 2022 late submissions will not be considered.
• Click HERE (DOCX 140 KB) to download the Word Document application form.
• Copy of the Passport ID page
• Applications must be e-mailed to IraqExchangePrograms@state.gov before the deadline.