Vice versa
Explain to President Obama how young Belgians and Americans can work together to reverse Climate Change...and Win a Four-Week Stay in the US.
Belgian students ages 16-18 are invited to enter a competition the winner of which is entitled to a four-week stay in the U.S. The competition consists of writing a letter to President Obama to explain "How young Belgians and Americans can work together to reverse Climate Change." The deadline is March 1, 2011. The winner of the competition will travel to the United States for four weeks to take part in a summer institute for young Americans and Europeans in July 2011 (Most likely July 2-29, 2011 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) .
Watch a video with the winners of the 2010 contest, Sarah Declercq and Olivier Danenberg: video 7:36
Read Sarah's blog about her experience at the BFTF: http://sarahsbreakaway.tumblr.com
Winners of the 2008 contest, Line Kuppens and Adrien Rorive, explain in a video clip how their stay at the Benjamin Franklin Summer Institute had an impact on their lives: video 0:51 | video 6:57.
The winner of the contest will participate in an intensive, four-week exchange program in the United States that focuses on the global issues that European and American youth face on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Students will participate in a variety of activities such as training sessions, workshops, community-based programs, study tours and cultural events. Additional information on the program will be announced via this web site.
Eligibility
The contest is open to all Belgian citizens between 16 and 18 years of age on July 1, 2011.
Fluent in English.
Relatives of employees of the U.S. Embassy in Brussels are not eligible to participate.
Essay Requirements
Original work of the students
Demonstrating an understanding of an aspect of U.S.-European relations
Written in English
Between 500 and 750 words
Selection Criteria
Essays will be judged based on:
Originality
Clear communication
Good organization of ideas
Convincing arguments supported with specific examples
Please send your essays to: ircbrussels@state.gov
The deadline is March 1, 2011. The follow-up interview will take place at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and will discuss academic and community involvement, interest in the U.S. and participation in this summer program.
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