2007 Programs and Events

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for a Greek student, aged 15-19 years, to be a Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow for a three-and-one-half week program in the U.S. in the summer of 2008.

About the Benjamin Franklin Initiative

The goal of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative is to build strong relationships between young people in the United States, Europe, and Eurasia, and to highlight shared values. The initiative is named after the legendary American statesman and diplomat Benjamin Franklin, and is funded by the U.S. Department of State.

There will be two institutes in the summer of 2008, with approximately 45 students participating in each institute. Of these students, 35 will come from Europe/Eurasia and 10 from the United States.

The U.S. Mission in Greece will offer one scholarship for one of the two institutes. Applications will be accepted for either institute and a scholarship awarded to the strongest application.

The first institute, entitled “The Founders,” runs June 28-July 23, 2008 and the student age range will be 15-17 years. The second institute, entitled “The Diplomats,” runs July 5-July 30, 2008, and the student age range will be 15-19 years. Each institute runs for three-and-one-half weeks. Activities will include leadership and media training, collaborative project development, community service, educational travel, and follow-up planning.

Both institutes of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Initiative will be hosted by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Students will experience life on a university campus and will participate in workshops with university professors and interact with their fellow students. The program will also explore how young people today interface with media, both as consumers and producers of information, and how freedom of expression imposes both rights and responsibilities on citizens.

2007 Fellows in Washington D.C.

The Scholarship:

The scholarship is for one Greek student to participate in either “The Founders,” or “The Diplomats” institute, depending on the age of student selected. All expenses, including travel, lodging, meals, and insurance will be covered by the U.S. Department of State. All logistical arrangements will be made by the U.S. Embassy Program Coordinator in cooperation with Wake Forest University.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

• Age 15-19 years at the time of the program.
• High proficiency in English. (as demonstrated in a standardized test, such as TOEFL or equivalent)
• Commitment to return to a Greek high school or university after the program.
• Strong interest in learning about the United States.
• Sustained, high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations.
• Demonstrated commitment to community through extracurricular activities.
• Little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.
• Maturity, responsibility, independence, confidence, open-mindedness, tolerance, thoughtfulness and inquisitiveness.
• Willingness and ability to fully participate in an intensive, three-week summer program, community service, and active educational travel program.
• Ability to adjust to campus life, shared living accommodations, travel and interaction with a multinational group of participants from Europe, Eurasia and the U.S., and to engage with Americans in the broader community.
• Openness to cultural and social practices different from those of their home countries.

This is a competitive scholarship program. Finalists will be invited to the U.S. Embassy in Athens, or the U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki, for personal interviews.

U.S. Embassy and Consulate General Thessaloniki employees and their families are not eligible to apply.

Application Form (Click Here to Download the Form)

Completed applications should be sent electronically to Irene Kouri, e-mail kouriip@state.gov. Any questions can also be addressed via email to Ms. Kouri.

You will receive an e-mail message confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation within one week, please call Ms. Kouri at 210-720-2300.

Application Deadline: January 14, 2008

About Benjamin Franklin

Despite modest beginnings as the son of a Boston candle maker, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) became one of the most famous Americans of his time. He helped found a new nation and served his young country as a writer, journalist, inventor, diplomat, educator, businessperson, musician, scientist, philosopher, humorist, and civic leader. Ben Franklin believed that people volunteering together in a spirit of cooperation could accomplish great things. Driven by a strong sense of civic duty, he involved himself in his community and his nation. He shaped the U.S. Revolution, became a leader of the Enlightenment, invented the lighting rod, and was an early proponent of colonial unity. He founded the University of Pennsylvania as an institution offering both traditional academic instruction and preparation for “real-world” employment and activities.

More about Ben at http://library.thinkquest.org/22254/home.htm

Results of the 2007 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Competition

George Stasinopoulos, an outstanding student from Athens College, was selected to represent Greece as the 2007 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow. In addition to his excellent application and essay, George’s poise, maturity, and curiosity were evident throughout his interview. George was selected after a lengthy screening of numerous excellent applications, selection of top candidates, and a personal interview. George has a special interest in international relations and is extremely active in Model United Nations conferences. Last year, he was appointed by the Model United Nations club instructors as “Ambassador” of the delegation that represented his school at The Hague MUN conference. A valedictorian of his class, and a winner of his school’s rhetoric prize, George is also involved in numerous extra-curricular activities.  Click here to read and listen to an interview with George on Mosaiko.gr.