The YSEALI Fellows
The YSEALI Fellows programs brings emerging leaders in these fields from Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam (ASEAN member countries) to the United States for an intensive four-week program designed to provide young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills and broaden their professional expertise.
There are two types of YSEALI Fellows with the following criteria and eligibility requirements:
YSEALI Academic Fellowship
The YSEALI Academic Fellowships (for leaders between 18-25 years old) are intensive short term academic Institutes whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The Fellowship focuses on one of three themes: Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, and the five-week Institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.
YSEALI Professional Fellowship
The YSEALI Professional Fellowship (for leaders between 26-35 years old) is a professional development exchange program for the best and brightest community leaders from ASEAN, working in the fields of civic engagement, NGO management, economic empowerment, governance, legislative process, environmental and natural resources management. The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program provides participants a month-long fellowship at U.S.-based non-profit or other organizations, government offices or legislative bodies. Fellows will work with community leaders to enhance their practical expertise, leadership skills and professional contacts to address issues in their home communities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be:
- A YSEALI member – Click here to become a YSEALI member;
- Be a Malaysian citizen residing in one of the 10 ASEAN member countries;
- Have a track record of making an impact in their community, institution or company;
- Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
- Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
Selection Criteria
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, place of work, and/or community;
- Demonstrate interest, knowledge, or professional experience in one of the YSEALI themes;
- Demonstrate a commitment or interest in community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
- Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
- Be willing to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and study tour;
- Have a commitment to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the ASEAN region; and
- Preferably have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.
Click here to find out more information.