Deadline: February 12, 2023
Applications for the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BTFT) 2023 are now open. The BFTF is an intensive short-term exchange programme, created to foster relationships among young Europeans and Americans to build strong linkages and awareness of shared values.
The four-week programme will enable students, ages 16-18, to explore U.S. foreign policy priorities such as youth engagement, support for democracy and civil society, and economic prosperity through a series of lectures, seminar discussions and presentations, and a broad assortment of practical, mentor-led workshops. Coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by community service activities, site visits, social and cultural activities, and homestays with American families to deepen participants’ experience of U.S. society during their exchange.
During the programme, participants will have the opportunity to discuss other topics such as democratic practices, conflict resolution, problem solving, communication skills, critical thinking, tolerance and respect for diversity, youth leadership, team building, disinformation, and the media, exploring how freedom of expression provides rights to and imposes responsibilities on citizens. Upon their return, participants are expected to implement service projects in their communities and present an alumni project plan to a youth-serving or youth-centered organization in their home country.
Cost
- The programme is funded by the U.S. Government and provides a full scholarship for participants, which covers visa, travel, lodging, educational materials, ground transportation expenses, and travel insurance.
Eligibility
To be considered, candidates must:
- be born between June 24, 2004, and June 24, 2007 (i.e., be 16, 17, or 18 years of age at the time of the programme start);
- obtain consent from their legal guardian(s) to travel to the U.S. and participate in either programme, unless they are over the age of 18 at the time of submitting their application;
- be highly proficient in English, as demonstrated in a personal interview or the results of a standardized test;
- be committed to enrolling in high school or university in Cyprus in fall 2023, following completion of the programme;
- demonstrate strong leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
- indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
- demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
- demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
- have had little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience in the United States;
- be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive;
- be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer program, with community service and educational travel;
- be comfortable with campus life, shared living accommodations, travel and interaction with a multinational, co-ed group of participants from across Europe and the United States;
- be comfortable engaging with the Americans they meet in the host communities; and
- be able to fly to the United States from Larnaca airport.
All candidates are expected to have a strong interest in learning about diplomacy, the transatlantic relationship, the role of a free press in a democratic society, and public or community service. They should have a strong demonstrated interest in communications, advocacy, debate, and civic participation. They should possess the academic aptitude for a program of this intensity and the personal qualities needed to be successful, including maturity, strong social skills, flexibility, and open-mindedness.
Application
Applications should be submitted only through the online form by 23:59, Sunday, February 12, 2023. The form will close at midnight and applications will no longer be accepted.
For more information, visit BFTF.
