Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Education and the Future of Work

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About the Program

In 2019, FIUTS was selected to host the Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Youth, Education, and Closing the Skills Gap (renamed in 2021 and 2022 to SUSI on Education and the Future of Work). This is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS.

The 2022 group was in Seattle in person from June 18-July 22. Read about their program on our blog!

In 2021, due to the ongoing global pandemic, participants from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, and Tunisia participated in a five-week virtual institute, with a two-week in-person “Capstone” taking place in Seattle from November 1-10, 2022.

The 2019 program ran from June 22-July 21 in Seattle, followed by a week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Washington DC. The group included 20 undergraduates (ages 19-25) from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Tunisia. They were selected by the U.S. embassies in their home countries through a competitive application process. Students receive full scholarships to participate in the program, with all expenses paid.

During the program, students study the ways in which technology, innovation, and globalization are prompting the development of new initiatives to educate and prepare youth with the professional skills needed to succeed in the future. They participate in academic classes, volunteer and service activities, leadership workshops, and cultural and educational excursions. Participants also design curriculum for a unique training session that they can deliver in their home communities and beyond that addresses the changing nature of work in their own local context.

The Study of the U.S. Institutes promote a better understanding of the people, institutions, and culture of the United States among students, teachers, and scholars. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) are short-term academic programs for groups of undergraduate leaders, educators, and scholars from around the world. Learn more about the Study of the U.S. Institutes here.

For more general information about the FIUTS SUSI program, please contact FIUTS Director of Education and Outreach, Ellen Frierson.

Get Involved

General Public: Meet the SUSI students at events that are open to the public. Details will be announced soon!

Seattle-area university students can get involved in the SUSI program by applying to be a SUSI Ambassador. Ambassadors are a critical piece of the program and act as peer mentors, cultural liaisons, friends and student leaders. SUSI Ambassadors learn new skills, build their resume, make international friends and have fun!

If you have questions about the Ambassador program, please contact FIUTS Education Programs Coordinator, Jason Evans, at jason@fiuts.org.

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Community Members are invited to host one or more SUSI participants in autumn 2022 for one full-day hosting experience (no overnight homestays involved) on November 5th. Hosts will pick up students in the morning or early after noon and bring them back to the University of Washington campus in the evening.

Hosting is an important opportunity for participants to learn about U.S. culture and connect with local people. On Sunday evening, all hosts are invited to join us for a potluck dinner on the UW campus to celebrate the program and enjoy cultural presentations from student participants.

  • Already a host? Fill out our Host Availability Survey here!

Contact jason@fiuts.org for information about hosting a SUSI participant.