THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM S Tunisia Community College Scholarship Program

Transcription

1 THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM S Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram Prgram Descriptin and U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Overview Prgram Overview As part f the Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram, the Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram (TCCSP) will prvide pprtunities fr apprximately 38 yung technical institute students frm Tunisia t imprve their vcatinal skills by spending ne academic year studying at accredited U.S. cmmunity clleges with the gal f earning a prfessinal certificate in eligible fields f study. Thrugh U.S.-based academic training and practical experience in leadership, cmmunity engagement, and internships in their prfessinal fields, Tunisian yuth will gain skills t cntribute t ecnmic develpment in Tunisia. The Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram is a prgram spnsred by the Bureau f Educatinal and Cultural Affairs (ECA) f the United States Department f State, supprted by the peple f the United States, and implemented by IREX. TCCSP participants will be enrlled in ne-year, n-campus certificate prgrams within their field f study. Eligible fields f study may include: Business Administratin and Management, Turism & Hspitality Management, and Infrmatin Technlgy. TCCSP participants will take part in a mnth lng prgram rientatin administered by IREX in cnjunctin with ne cmmunity cllege befre arriving at their hst clleges fr their academic prgrams. In the first semester/quarter participants will take part in a Wrkplace Excellence training series implemented by IREX with supprt by each hst cllege in rder t prepare participants fr a prfessinal internship in their secnd semester. Participants will be required t secure individualized part-time internships relevant t their field f study in their secnd semester/secnd and third quarter (apprx. 40 hurs per mnth) with assistance frm hst clleges. Participants will als take part in 3-4 Service Learning Days implemented by each hst cllege with supprt frm IREX. Participants will use an IREX develped Individual Develpment Plan (IDP) as a tl t supprt and prmte gal setting and reflectin during the prgram. Additinally, thrughut the academic year, TCCSP participants will explre U.S. culture thrugh the Glbal Citizens Passprt t America prgram, which will fster meaningful engagement with their hst cmmunity and ffer insight int the diversity f the U.S. During the curse f the academic year participants will als cnduct a minimum f ne cuntry presentatin at a lcal lcatin. TCCSP prvides a unique pprtunity fr U.S. cmmunity clleges t build their capacity in the sphere f internatinal educatin. TCCSP s Cllabrative Institute fr Internatinalizatin (CII) creates a prfessinal space where cmmunity cllege hsts can wrk tgether, and with IREX, as partners t develp their institutinal capacity in internatinal student supprt services and internatinalizatin. Thrugh trainings, virtual and in-persn cnferences, and the CII nline platfrm, clleges have the pprtunity t gain valuable insight and tls t lead internatinal student supprt services, prmte American students glbal cmpetencies, and fster internatinalizatin. Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Instructins 1 P a g e

2 TCCSP prvides: J-1 visa supprt; Rund-trip travel frm participant s hme city t hst institutin in the United States; Accident and Sickness Prgram fr Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit plan; Tuitin and mandatry cllege fees; Rm and bard (husing and meals); A small incidentals allwance fr participants; A limited allwance fr bks; A limited allwance fr cultural enrichment activities; and Alumni netwrking and training pprtunities. 4-week rientatin in the U.S. fr participants Expectatins f Hst Cmmunity Clleges U.S. cmmunity clleges are critical partners fr the TCCSP prgram. Hst clleges will be selected based n: a) availability f ne-year certificates in the relative fields, b) their demnstrated ability t prvide a wellrunded prgram experience (with strng academic and cultural cmpnents); c) the qualificatins f their prpsed campus advisr and their ability t prvide persnalized care; d) the institutin s experience and ability t wrk with participants frm the targeted regin; e) the institutin s ability t engage participants in the lcal cmmunity; and f) the prpsed cst-share and per participant cst. Due t funding limitatins, cst-share cntributins are strngly encuraged. Cst-share can be in the frm f full r partial tuitin r rm and bard waivers, fee waivers, schlarships, r ther cntributins. While this request shuld nt deter hst clleges frm applying, it shuld be nted that financial arrangements are determinants f eventual placements f participants. Hst clleges will be respnsible fr prviding each participant with: a) academic supprt; b) cultural and cmmunity supprt; and c) lgistical supprt. Hsts will take part in the Cllabrative Institute fr Internatinalizatin. Respnsibilities are explained in mre detail belw: TCCSP Cllabrative Institute fr Internatinalizatin (CII) The TCCSP Cllabrative Institute fr Internatinalizatin prvides a space and structure fr cmmunity cllege hst partners t cnnect with each ther and IREX virtually t develp their institutin s capacity t nt nly supprt TCCSP prgramming but als the brader internatinal student cmmunity. The CII prvides a private space fr TCCSP partners as internatinal educatrs t share best practices, discuss strategies, share resurces, and reflect n challenges and best practices t supprt TCCSP, internatinal students, and internatinalizatin. Thrugh CII, IREX and hst partners wrk tgether t better equip their cllege with the knwledge and tls t imprve internatinal student supprt services and enhance a cmmitment t internatinalizatin at their cllege and in their cmmunity. This includes tpics such as develping an internatinal student rientatin, student mnitring, prmting academic success, English language develpment, supprting internatinal students prfessinal develpment, and helping t fster students persnal develpment thrugh leadership skills, cmmunity engagement, and cultural prgramming. As part f the CII, hst cmmunity clleges als set gals fr their cllege and wrk with ther hst clleges and IREX t develp strategies and find resurces t supprt them in achieving thse gals. Within the sphere f the Cllabrative Institute fr Internatinalizatin, hst clleges are asked t: Attend a virtual Pre-Prgram Meeting in the summer prir t the start f the hsting year. During this virtual meeting, hsts will netwrk with ther partner clleges, identify best practices fr TCCSP prgram administratin, create internatinal educatin gals fr their institutin, and identify areas where additinal supprt frm IREX wuld be beneficial t institutinal capacity building. Participant in an nline cmmunity thrughut the prgram, sharing stries, highlights, challenges, successes, resurces, and questins. The nline frum prvides an excellent pprtunity fr Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Instructins 2 P a g e

3 cmmunity clleges t see best practices and learn frm each ther in rder t imprve their institutin s capacity in internatinal student services and internatinalizatin. Attend a Mid-Prgram Partner Meeting in Washingtn, D.C. in January 2015; all csts cvered by TCCSP. The Mid-Prgram Partner meeting prvides hst clleges with the time and space t reflect tgether n challenges and successes frm the first semester f TCCSP implementatin. Hst clleges can wrk tgether and with IREX t discuss best practices and strategies fr the secnd semester f prgram implementatin. Take part in a virtual Next Steps Wrkshp in spring IREX will facilitate a discussin t supprt hst clleges in alumni engagement and planning and hw t begin fstering future internatinal alumni during the final semester f the participants prgram in rder t supprt prgram and institutinal capacity gals. Take part in a virtual reflectin at end f hst year in late spring/early summer Hst cllege partners will reflect tgether n their internatinal prgramming, sharing and building ff f each ther s expertise t develp an actin plan t supprt their cllege in further internatinalizatin. A final self-assessment will guide partners in reviewing and discussing their institutinal capacity gals, whether they were met, and hw they can be refined and imprved as cntinuing gals. Thrugh facilitated discussin, partners will review the institutinal capacity gals f the prgram, prviding the pprtunity t amend the gals and set actin plans fr mving frward. Academic Supprt Within the sphere f develping and prviding academic supprt, hst clleges are asked t: Admit participants as full-time students in a ne-year certificate prgram in their field f study. Assist in selecting an apprpriate ne-year certificate that ffers sufficient n-campus classes. Assist participants in selecting apprpriate curses, taking int cnsideratin the participant s field f study, ne-year certificate enrllment requirements, prgram requirements, and the hst institutin s financial agreement fr the prgram. Designate an advisr t guide the participants studies and academic interactins at the cllege. Direct participants t academic supprt services, such as tutrs and the campus writing center. Wrk with participants, the IREX advisr, and prfessrs t mnitr academic prgress and t develp a plan t imprve academic perfrmance, if necessary. If the hst institutin has English as a Secnd Language, Intensive English, r Summer English prgrams, crdinate participant placement in these curses when necessary. Cultural and Cmmunity Supprt Within the sphere f develping and prviding cultural and cmmunity supprt, hst clleges are asked t: Assign a staff member t serve as the campus advisr. The campus advisr will be respnsible fr the participants and assist them with their adjustment t campus and U.S. life. Other campus advisr duties include: T cmplement the academic prgram and ensure that participants receive a well-runded intrductin t American values, clleges, and peple, all participants will receive a Glbal Citizens Passprt t America. The Cultural Passprt will supprt explratin f varius aspects f American culture which fall under the categries f arts and music, hliday celebratins, sprts and leisure, daily life, lcal interest and cmmunity life. Organizing mnthly cultural activities fr the participants as part f the Glbal Citizens Passprt t America prgram (see belw). Mnthly activities may include thse being rganized fr the larger student bdy. Infrming participants f lcal events (e.g. twn meetings, cncerts, rallies, etc.) t help them find self-directed cultural passprt activities. Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Instructins 3 P a g e

4 Facilitating at least tw passprt talk-back sessins per semester/quarter fr participants t discuss their cultural experiences and have their cultural passprt stamped. Suggesting apprpriate lcatins fr the participants cuntry presentatins (e.g. lcal schls, libraries, rtary clubs, retirement hmes, etc.) Finding friendship families t take participants n cultural utings and hst participants fr hlidays. Being available t discuss strategies fr dealing with rmmate issues r cultural adjustment situatins with participants n a ne-n-ne basis. Implement 3-4 Service Learning Days thrughut the academic year, including finding apprpriate lcatins and rganizatins fr service learning activities, facilitating each Service Learning Day which includes rientatin t an rganizatin and the ppulatin it services, the service learning activity, and a reflectin sessin pst activity. Wrk Skills Supprt Assist IREX in facilitating the Wrkplace Excellence Learning Series by drawing n campus and cmmunity resurces t prvide fllw-up r additinal training in key sft skills and wrkfrce preparedness trainings and facilitates site visits t lcal rganizatins t cmplement the learning series. Prviding guidance/assistance/supprt in lcating apprpriate internships fr TCCSP participants which are in the participant s field f study and prvide substantive experience t advance the participant s persnal and prfessinal gals. Hsts are further asked t identify pprtunities fr prfessinal develpment as they becme available Prvide guidance t TCCP participants cmpletin f the Individual Develpment Plan. Meet individually nce per mnth with TCCP participants t prvide feedback and mnitr prgress n persnal, academic, and prfessinal gals utlined in their Individual Develpment Plans. Lgistical Supprt Within the sphere f develping and prviding lgistical supprt hst clleges are asked t: Crrespnd with participants befre arrival; prvide hst institutin infrmatin and answer questins. Arrange airprt pick-up fr arriving participants. Secure temprary husing in the residence hall r with a hst family befre the start f classes and during breaks, as necessary. Crdinate with the husing ffice t ensure apprpriate husing assignment with a U.S. rmmate r ther nn-tccsp internatinal student where pssible. Find apprpriate ff-campus husing if residence halls are nt available. If ff-campus husing, crdinate leases and ther agreements where applicable with IREX. Sign participants up fr a cmprehensive meal plan (if applicable). Assist participants with any dietary needs and lcating requested religius services. Prvide access t and internet facilities. Wrk with the apprpriate ffice n campus t waive institutinal insurance fees. Assist participants in filing fr a Scial Security number. Help participants lcate apprpriate dctrs, and assist in finding transprtatin t their ffice. Keep IREX infrmed f participant prgress and any adjustment r behaviral issues. Assist participants in pening a lcal bank accunt. Ntatin regarding J-1 Visa Regulatins Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Instructins 4 P a g e

5 The tw year hme-residency requirement immediately fllwing the cmpletin f the prgram is a key requirement f the TCCSP prgram. This requirement is strictly enfrced by IREX and the Bureau f Educatinal and Cultural Affairs f the U.S. Department f State. Befre beginning his/her prgram, each participant will sign a dcument agreeing t this tw-year hme residency requirement. Participants are required t return hme immediately upn the cmpletin f the TCCSP prgram. The United States gvernment has invested a generus amunt f mney and time int participants prfessinal develpment with the firm expectatin that they will apply their newfund knwledge and skills in their hme cmmunity upn their return. N exceptins t this rule are pssible. In additin, due t the fact that the TCCSP prgram is a nndegree prgram, IREX als cannt cnsider requests t prlng participants stay in the United States in rder t cmplete an academic degree. IREX is nt permitted under any circumstances t transfer the spnsrship f the participant s DS-2019 t the hst institutin. IREX will be unable t place participants at, and may request a tuitin refund frm, hst clleges that d nt cmply with these prgram rules. U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Submissin Guidelines Please read all instructins and infrmatin carefully befre filling ut the entire applicatin frm. Retain a cpy f all pages f the hst applicatin, addendums, and attachments fr yur reference. T apply t hst fr the TCCSP prgram please submit the fllwing dcuments: One cmpleted TCCSP U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin CV f yur prpsed campus advisr Applicatins are due n March 21, Please direct questins and submit the cmpleted applicatin packet t IREX via ne f the ptins belw By r fax: tccsp@irex.rg Fax: (202) (Please indicate ATTN: TCCSP) By pstal mail: IREX, c/ TCCSP, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 600, Washingtn, D.C Organizatin Descriptins Bureau f Educatinal and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department f State As mandated by the Mutual Educatin and Cultural Exchange Act f 1961, the Bureau f Educatin and Cultural Affairs wrks t build friendly, peaceful relatins between the peple f the United States and the peple f ther cuntries thrugh academic, cultural, sprts, and prfessinal exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships. In an effrt t reflect the diversity f the United States and glbal sciety, ECA prgrams, funding, and ther activities encurage the invlvement f American and internatinal participants frm traditinally underrepresented grups, including wmen, racial and ethnic minrities, and peple with disabilities. Artists, educatrs, athletes, students, yuth, and rising leaders in the United States and mre than 160 cuntries arund the glbe participate in academic, cultural, sprts, and prfessinal exchanges. IREX (Internatinal Research & Exchanges Bard) IREX (Internatinal Research & Exchanges Bard) is an internatinal nnprfit rganizatin prviding thught leadership and innvative prgrams t prmte psitive lasting change glbally. Funded in 1968, IREX has an annual prtfli f ver $70 millin and a staff f ver 400 prfessinals wrldwide. Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Instructins 5 P a g e

6 IREX emplys field-tested methds and innvative uses f technlgies t develp practical and lcallydriven slutins with ur partners in mre than 100 cuntries. Hw These Organizatins Wrk Tgether n These Prgrams The Bureau f Educatinal and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and IREX wrk in partnership n the Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram. As a prgram f the U.S. Department f State, ECA develps, funds, and versees the prgram, and IREX is a grantee that administers and implements all aspects f the prgram. Thmas Jeffersn Schlarship Prgram s Tunisia Cmmunity Cllege Schlarship Prgram U.S. Academic Hst Institutin Applicatin Instructins 6 P a g e