Deadline for application: December 29, 2017
The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria is now accepting applications for the 2018 Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Secondary School Educators. The institute will take place over the course of five weeks in June 2018. The Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and a one week integrated study tour. Information about last year’s Institutes can be found here: http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.
SUSI will provide a multinational group of 20 experienced secondary school educators with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, education, and culture. The focus of the Institute will be on providing materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States. To this end, the Institute may be organized around a central theme or themes in U.S. civilization. Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will elucidate the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined. The program will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society. The four week academic residency will be complemented by a one week study tour. The aim of the study tour is to showcase the rich cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the United States.
COSTS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:
All participant costs will be covered. Participants may be asked to share living quarters during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute. Private room accommodations cannot be guaranteed. During the study tour (up to one week), participants may share a hotel room with a participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.
Applicants will be expected to participate fully in the program. They are expected to attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants on any part of the program. Please note that teaching methodology and pedagogical methods will not be addressed formally in the institute. Applicants should be aware that they are applying for an intensive institute and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The institute is not a research program.
APPLICANT DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Study of the U.S. Institutes are highly competitive. Priority will be given to candidates 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. English Language fluency is required.
Applicant Statement: In order to get a better sense of potential participants’ motivations and goals, the US Embassy requests that each applicant provide a strong candidate statement that should convey why the participant is interested in participating in the particular Institute, what s/he expects to gain from the experience, and what s/he will bring to the program. In addition, candidate statements should describe the candidate’s capacity and plans to amplify the impact of the Institute beyond their own knowledge and research. Please observe the limit of 250 words.
In order to apply, please submit the completed Application Form and the Essay by December 29, 2017 via e-mail to:
Vanya Ivanova
Cultural Affairs Assistant
Public Affairs Section
Tel: +359 2 937 5186
Email: ivanovaih@state.gov
NB Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Interviews will be held mid-January, 2018.
