Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement (SUSI Winter cohort)

About the SUSI Program

The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement included 20 undergraduates from the Southern Africa region (Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe).

During the 5-week program, the group traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, and Seattle to study civic engagement and participate in volunteer activities, leadership workshops, and cultural excursions.

Program themes included civil rights, grassroots student activism, volunteerism, political leadership, citizen advocacy, and minority political engagement. Throughout the program, participants took part in intensive project planning seminars to prepare them to develop and lead projects that benefit their home communities.

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 2024 program ran from January 11 to February 10 in Seattle and from February 10 to February 14, in Atlanta, Georgia. The next winter cohort arrives on January 10th, 2025.

 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.

For more general information about the FIUTS SUSI program, please contact FIUTS Manger of Education Programs, Olena Vlasova.

Get Involved

All college students in the Seattle area can get involved in the future SUSI programs 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! Apply to be an Ambassador here.

If you have questions about the Ambassador program, please contact FIUTS Program Specialist, Nada Ramadan, at nada@fiuts.org.

Community Members

Community Members were invited to host one or more SUSI participants for one week. The Weekend-Long Homestay from January 15th to January 21st was an important opportunity for participants to learn about U.S. culture and connect with local people. On the final evening, all hosts were invited to join the group for dinner to celebrate the program and enjoy cultural presentations from student participants. Please contact olena@fiuts.org for information about hosting a SUSI participant.