Study of U.S. Institutes
The Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders is a program designed and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), with funding provided by the U.S. Government, managed by Meridian International Center, and administered by Northern Nevada International Center, at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The program is designed for small groups of foreign undergraduate students, scholars, and teachers. SUSIs aim to promote a better understanding of American people and institutions; explore the diversity and culture of the United States, and develop or expand curricula on the U.S. The program helps participants to develop their leadership skills through leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and local community engagement.
Study of the U.S. Institutes on The Rule of Law and Public Service
Program dates: June 18-July 20, 2022
For more information, contact SUSI Program Manager Nilufer Leuthold at nleuthold@nnic.org.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders 2022 on the Rule of Law and Public Service is in Honor of Late Senator John McCain.
The program is an intensive five-week academic program that provides undergraduate students with a transformative learning experience of leadership, U.S. Federalism, including the judicial, legislative and executive branches, as well as individual project planning. Throughout the program, students participate in volunteer and community service activities, leadership workshops, homestays and cultural excursions. Students also have the opportunity to meet with community leaders and representatives of non-profit organizations.
During the program, students engage in a variety of other activities such as action planning sessions and gain valuable skills to create, prepare and lead projects that benefit their home countries.
The program starts with an opening in Reno, Nevada, followed by five weeks of academic lectures, professional meetings, cultural excursions, community service activities, and leadership seminars. Mid-program, we incorporate a study tour component to Monterey, CA as a field trip that complements the theme of the program.
The Rule of Law and Public Service for undergraduate students. The program aims to provide a better understanding of the people, culture, democracy, the judicial system, and institutions of the United States.
At the end of the academic program, students will be able to define/describe the following:
- The "rule of law"
- Basic organizations of the U.S. justice/court system
- Race, gender and justice
- Indigenous systems of law (tribal/restorative)
- Have a better understanding of the U.S. military structure
- Explain influential leadership
- Immigration and rebuilding alliances
- Outline the importance of transparency in justice, and the role of media
- Community involvement, underserved communities, and law
- Diversity, equity, inclusion and the law
- Community action planning
In addition, participants will gain relevant experience about Americans and their relationship to governance, public service and the rule of law.
Under the Study of the U.S. Institutes on the Rule of Law and Public Service in 2019, NNIC hosted 20 undergraduate military student leaders from Poland, Colombia, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
In 2021, we virtually hosted 13 undergraduate military and civilian students from Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Colombia.
In 2022, we will host 13 undergraduate military and civilian students from Kuwait, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Colombia.
The study of U.S. Institutes on Climate Change and Environmental Issues
Program dates: June 25-July 24, 2022
For more information contact SUSI Program Manager Nilufer Leuthold at nleuthold@nnic.org.
The program is an intensive five-week academic program that provides undergraduate students with a transformative learning experience of leadership, addressing climate change issues, communicating the science of climate change and combating misinformation around the science of climate change, as well as individual project planning. Throughout the program, students participate in volunteer and community service activities, leadership workshops, homestays and cultural excursions. Students also have the opportunity to meet with community leaders and representatives of non-profit organizations.
During the program, students engage in a variety of other activities such as action planning sessions and gain valuable skills to create, prepare and lead projects that benefit their home countries.
The program starts with an opening in Reno, Nevada, followed by four weeks of academic lectures, professional meetings, cultural excursions, community service activities, and leadership seminars. The program ends with a three-day study tour in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a field trip that complements the program's theme and a two-day closing forum in Washington D.C., during which students participate in global leadership seminars and networking events.
In 2022, NNIC is hosting 20 undergraduate students from various European countries.
The Climate Change and Environmental Issues for undergraduate students. The program aims to provide a better understanding of the people, culture, democracy, communicating climate change science and institutions of the United States.
At the end of the academic program, students will be able to:
- Explain the fundamentals of climate change science and formulate an understanding of the historical implications of science around climate change
- Provide a rationale for climate change mitigation and propose actions in key sectors
- Understand the role of citizens, public land management agencies, and non-governmental organizations in protecting and conserving natural resources
- Capture climate change issues and educate the public on them
- Analyze principal challenges and opportunities for climate change action
In addition, participants will gain relevant experience about Americans and their relationship to climate change and environmental issues.
Get involved
University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College students can get involved in the SUSI program 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, receive a stipend of $1,000 at the end of the program and have fun!
If you have questions about the Ambassador program, please contact Program Manager Nilufer Leuthold at nleuthold@nnic.org.