South East Asian Youth Leaders Program (SEAYLP)
I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Students from high schools in Palawan are invited to apply for the 2020 Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program (SEAYLP) in the United States on April 2020. The 2020 SEAYLP convenes high school students and adult mentors from the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries for a three-week U.S.-based exchange program focused on leadership and youth development. Five high school students and one adult mentor will be selected to represent the Philippines.
The program explores shared challenges faced by the United States and ASEAN member countries as viewed through the three pillars of the ASEAN community: political and security cooperation, economic skills-building, and socio-cultural leadership. The program will emphasize ASEAN identity by organizing participants into multi-country teams to enhance their cross-cultural experience.
Exchange activities in the United States will include workshops, interactive sessions, diplomacy simulations, leadership training, and team-building exercises. Extracurricular activities such as volunteer service opportunities and site visits with relevant organizations in host communities are also included. Adult participants will attend civic education sessions with U.S. adult peers designed to foster networking and leadership. All participants will enjoy homestays with American families and study tours. Participants will also develop projects to address the needs of their own communities. The program will be conducted entirely in English.
For selected participants from the Philippines, the U.S. government will cover program expenses, international and domestic travel, visa fees, and pre-departure orientation activities.
II. ELIGIBILITY
STUDENT applicants should be:
- currently enrolled as a student in any high school located in Palawan
- at least 15 years old and not more than 17 years old by April 1, 2020
- a leader with strong academic and social skills and an interest in community service
- a strong English communicator
- able to get permission from both parent(s)/guardian(s) and their school to participate in the entire program
ADULT MENTOR applicants should be:
- a resident of Palawan and working with high school students as a teacher, mentor, coach, or counselor in an official or volunteer capacity for at least two years
- at least 20 years old and not more than 30 years old by April 1, 2020
- a leader with strong academic and social skills and an interest in community service
- a strong English communicator
III. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Application should be filled out in English.
- The referee should be a teacher/supervisor or other adult who is not a family member who knows the applicant well and can discuss his or her abilities and potential.
- If an applicant is shortlisted for interview, the organizers will send an email to the referee/s to answer a brief online assessment on the applicant’s character and leadership abilities.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
IV. APPLICATION AND PROGRAM TIMELINE:
- December 9 – SEAYLP 2020 applications close (11:59 pm)
- December 13 – Shortlisted applicants (top 20 students and top 5 adult mentors) notified and invited for panel interviews
- January 2020 – Panel interviews in Puerto Princesa City
- February 2020 – Finalists notified
- March 2020 – Pre-departure orientation for finalists
- April 2020 – SEAYLP program proper in the U.S.
For any inquiries, please contact:
Helen Vallejos
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
vallejoshr@state.gov
