U.S. Embassy Baghdad: Announcing Opportunities for Study and Travel to the United States

PRESS RELEASES


Announcing Opportunities for Study and Travel to the United States

U.S. EMBASSY BAGHDAD

Office of the Spokesman

_________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 31, 2012

ANNOUNCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR


STUDY AND TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for two U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs focused on developing leadership, public service, and English teaching skills. The programs will provide Iraqi mid-career professionals and young teachers of English the opportunity to travel to the United States to improve their professional skills at the graduate level, refine their teaching skills, increase their English-language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States. These programs work to support the goals of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement and to build ties of mutual understanding between the United States and Iraq.

The following programs are now accepting applications:

• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program: The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a Fulbright program that brings accomplished young and mid-career professionals with demonstrated leadership potential to the United States for a year of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and professional enrichment. The program’s goal is to provide future leaders and policy makers with experience in U.S. society, culture, and professional fields to provide a basis for lasting, productive ties between Americans and professional counterparts in Iraq and other countries. Mid-career professionals with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, at least five years of professional experience, and a commitment to public service in the public or private sector are encouraged to apply.

• Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program: The FLTA Program is a nine-month non-degree program that provides young teachers of English an opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English-language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of the society and culture of the United States, while being teaching assistants of Arabic to U.S. students and strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants must be between 21 and 29 years old, be current teachers of English, and possess a bachelor’s degree by June 2013.

For both programs, applicants must have fluency in English, no or limited prior U.S. experience and be Iraqi citizens residing in Iraq. The programs will not support family members. There is no cost to apply to these programs. The U.S. Department of State will fully fund participants’ travel, educational program costs, health insurance, housing, and a modest living stipend.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program information and eligibility guidelines available on our website, http://iraq.usembassy.gov/exchangesprograms.html.
 The deadline for submitting applications to both programs is August 1, 2012. For more information, applicants may email FulbrightIraq@state.gov.