2012 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute Essay Contest
The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce an essay competition for the 2012 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute. The Institute is named after the legendary American statesman and diplomat Benjamin Franklin, whose legacy serves as inspiration to young citizens of today to explore how Americans and Europeans see each other and the world.
The winner will be selected to travel to the United States to participate in a four-week Institute held in July 2012 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Institute activities include discussions of common interest topics, leadership and media training, and community service. Students from Europe and the U.S. will participate in training sessions, workshops, community-based programs, study tours, and cultural events. Participants will work together to prepare a joint project that promotes the goals of the Institute.
Costs for the Institute (travel, courses, lodging, and meals) will be covered by the U.S. Department of State and Wake Forest University.
Contest Topic
Students are asked to write an original and creative essay in English on the following topic:
Earlier this year, the U.S. Embassy launched “American Seasons in Russia,” a year-long celebration of American arts and culture that is taking place across Russia. These events represent the diversity and depth of contemporary American culture.
How do you think sharing culture promotes understanding?
More information about American Seasons is available at the program website:
Please submit your essays and completed registration forms by e-mail to the U.S. Embassy’s Academic Exchanges Office at USGExchanges@gmail.com. For questions, please call the office at (495) 728-5000, ext. 4925, or send an e-mail to USGExchanges@gmail.com. The deadline to submit an essay and registration form is February 27, 2012. The registration form can be downloaded here, and more information about the Institute can be found here.
Five essay finalists will be selected for phone interviews to be conducted March 12-16, 2012. One winner and an alternate will be nominated to the Institute. Contest entrants must meet all eligibility requirements and must qualify for an exchange visitor (J-1) visa. Please read the all requirements carefully prior to submitting your essay and registration form.
Eligibility Requirements
The contest is open to all citizens of the Russian Federation:
- between 16 and 18 years of age as of July 1, 2012;
- currently enrolled in a secondary school;
- with demonstrated proficiency in English;
- committed to continuing their education in the Russian Federation in fall 2012, following completion of the Institute;
- with demonstrated leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
- who show a serious interest in learning about the United States;
- with a record of sustained high academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
- with demonstrated commitment to community service and extracurricular activities;
- with little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience in the United States;
- with no previous participation in U.S.-government funded exchange programs;
- who are willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer program, community service, and active educational travel program;
- who are comfortable with campus life, shared living accommodations, travel and interaction with a multinational, coed group of participants from across Europe and the United States, and comfortable with engaging various Americans in the broader community; and
- who show potential to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of the Russian Federation.
Employees of the U.S. Embassy and members of their families are not eligible to participate.
Essays may be no more than 1,000 words and must include a bibliography. Accepted formats include APA, MLA, or Turabian. Please see http://www.bibme.org/citation-guide for citation format descriptions or http://www.bibme.org/ for an automated citation generator. The citations and the bibliography are not included in the word count. Students must use at least five different sources such as newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews, including one non-internet source, to address the topic.
Essays must be the original work of the student.
Criteria for Nomination to the Institute
I. Essay (50%)
- Content (70%)
- Shows interest in U.S. and Russian cultural history, traditions and interaction;
- Demonstrates an understanding of the issues faced by Russia and the United States on the bilateral and international levels;
- Thoughtful, original discussion;
- Well-researched; and
- Convincing arguments supported with specific examples.
- Presentation (30%)
- Communicates ideas clearly;
- Well-organized;
- Uses correct syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
- Writes in compelling and original manner;
- Includes bibliography of five or more varied sources including one non-internet source; and
- Uses thoughtfully selected, reliable sources.
An essay will be disqualified if:
- It is not on the topic.
- It is not the student’s original work.
- It does not include a minimum of five sources.
II. Phone Interview (50%)
- The candidate must:
- Demonstrate qualities of a mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive individual;
- Show leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
- Show a serious interest in learning about the United States;
- Have a record of sustained high academic achievement;
- Demonstrate commitment to community service and extracurricular activities; and
- Have had little or no prior U.S. study or travel experience in the United States.