US Embassy hosts Yemeni applicants for special Undergraduate Programs [Archives:2008/1131/Reportage]
By Mohammed al-Qadhi
For Yemen Times
The United States Embassy in Sana'a's Public Affairs office has got a variety of programs to attract Yemeni applicants to travel to America. These programs allow Yemeni students an opportunity to study in the U.S. and to get better acquainted with American people and their culture. Megan Goodfellow, the U.S. Embassy's cultural affairs officer, spoke about the new programs and their impact on public diplomacy between Yemen and America.
Q: What are the Yemen-U.S. exchange programs currently open for Yemeni candidates?
A: The two programs that we are currently accepting applications for are the Undergraduate Exchange Program and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Summer Leadership Institute. Both programs are for Yemeni students and the application is due on March 3rd, 2008.
Q: What is the focus of each program?
A: For the Undergraduate Exchange Program, students currently enrolled in a university or in their final year of secondary school here in Yemen can apply to spend either one semester or one academic year at a university in the United States. All participants will need to return to Yemen afterwards to finish their university studies.
The universities that students went to last year were all over the United States – there were students in California, students in New York, and students in Wisconsin – and to talk to them when they came back was really interesting! Some of them saw snow for the first time, they met and befriended American students in the dormitories, and some of them even changed the focus of what they'd like to do academically.
The MEPI Summer Leadership Institute is a six week intensive program that will take place this summer at universities throughout the United States.
This program is for Yemeni students who have not only a record of academic excellence but also involvement in community service, demonstrated leadership ability, and who are among the best and the brightest Yemeni university students. It's an ideal program for young leaders who would like to visit the United States and learn more about leadership skills and personal development and how they can come back to Yemen and use these skills to help their communities.
Q: How can Yemenis apply for these two programs and what are the eligibility requirements?
A: We are using one application for both of the programs. Students who are interested in both the Undergraduate Exchange Program and the MEPI Summer Leadership Institute Program but do not know which they prefer can fill out the application and ask to be considered for both programs. You must be currently enrolled in university. For the Undergraduate Exchange Program you can be in your final year of secondary school now. Applicants for both programs must have excellent English skills. The application is due on March 3rd. Those who are interested can download the application from the U.S. Embassy's exchange program page on our website, at http://yemen.usembassy.gov/yemen/CEP_page.html.
Q: How many candidates will be accepted for these two programs?
A: For the Undergraduate Exchange Program, we are able to nominate five candidates for the academic year program and 12 candidates for the semester-long program. For the MEPI Summer Leadership Institute, we are able to nominate 10 candidates and 5 alternates.
Q: What are other programs that the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office is also offering nowadays?
A: On the U.S. Embassy website under the “Cultural Exchange Program” page, you can see a list of all the programs that we offer. We encourage people interested in exchange opportunities to check the website frequently to see which programs they're most interested in and to find out when the application cycles will open.
Q: Do you think the U.S. exchange programs are achieving their goals in improving the cultural ties between the Yemeni and American people?
A: I do – I think it helps on both sides. It is so wonderful to see Yemeni students come back and not only talk about how their perspectives on America changed, but also about the lives they have changed in the United States. The families they have stayed with, the friends they met, and every person these students encountered in the United States has a different idea of Yemen now. The Americans these students met – and will meet – are now better able to understand the culture, the history, the traditions, and the religion of the Yemeni people. Each of the students who studied in the U.S. on one of these programs is also able to explain their own personal viewpoints on America and their experiences there with their families and friends here in Yemen.
Q: Some yellow media outlets claim that sending youngsters to the U.S. on these programs is brainwashing hat is your response?
A: The students selected to go the United States are able to study the subjects they'd like to study and have the friends they want to have. This is their opportunity and it is their responsibility to make the most of it and to spend their time doing the things they think are most valuable. A Yemeni student who participated in one of these programs was interviewed by Yemen TV on a live show last week, and said that these programs are not brainwashing, but mind-opening. The experience for each student is what they choose to make of it.
Q: Any scholarships or programs for Post-Doctoral candidates?
A: We offer the Fulbright Post-Doctoral scholarships every year, as well as the student Fulbright scholarships. The Fulbright program is one of our most popular and well-known programs.
Q: I understand that English language proficiency is a requirement to apply for these programs. Do you find competent candidates in terms of language skills easily?
A: We find a lot of very competent applicants, but not a lot of people who have enough English language skills to participate in some of these programs. Many of our educational programs require a minimum proficiency in English. The International Visitor program has a number of two- to three-week programs, several of which are available to people who do not have any English skills, since interpretation is provided. Of course, to study at an American university, interpretation is not offered, so students do need to have English skills in advance.
Q: What are the benefits of such programs on both Yemeni and American side?
A: We have seen a lot of enthusiasm on the Yemeni side from people who want to go to the United States to improve their English skills and also to experience a different academic environment. I think the students are also able to understand American culture in a very different way when they participate in these programs. It is one thing to see the United States on TV and in the movies, but that's not the reality of life in America! When you live there and you meet people, you see how they really live everyday and that changes your perspective.
On our side, we have so much to gain from these talented young students who are able to act as cultural ambassadors and to educate the American people about Yemen's culture, its traditions and its history. Programs like these help to build lasting friendships and relationships between our cultures.
Q: What are other activities to further promote the cultural relationship between Yemen and the United States?
A: We're trying to find ways to show our culture to the Yemeni people. We have an American jazz band that will be coming to Sana'a next week, and we are hoping that a lot of people will come and hear them perform. We are having a concert that will be open to the public at the Yemen Cultural Center on Monday, February 25, at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome!
Q: Any final words?
A: I would like to encourage anyone who is interested – and who thinks these might be good opportunities for them – to apply! We would love to see as many applications as possible from enthusiastic, qualified students.
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