Exchange Programs
Academic Exchange Programs
The Cultural Affairs Section administers a variety of educational exchanges, including the Fulbright and the Hubert H. Humphrey programs. An Educational Advising and Testing Office at the American Cultural Center provides academic advising services to individuals wanting to study in the Untied States. The advisors can help students identify an appropriate university, apply, and prepare for student life in America. This office also administers the required examinations for entry into undergraduate and graduate programs, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship
This scholarship provides candidates an opportunity to pursue a Master's Degree in the United States. Applicants must have excellent academic records and strong English language skills. Applicants must be Syrian citizens or Palestinians residing in Syria. Students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy are NOT eligible. The competition for the 2010-2011 academic year is now closed. Please check back in January 2010 for more information on the competition for the 2011-2012 academic year.
For more information, please see http://www.fulbright.state.gov/ or contact us at 011-3391-4171 or 011-3391-4172 or FulbrightSyria@state.gov.
International Fulbright Science and Technology Award
The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award is for PhD study at top U.S. institutions in science, technology, or engineering. It is designed to be among the most prestigious international scholarships in science and technology. Eligible fields include: aeronautics, agriculture (entomology, plant biology, plant pathology, and soil science), astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer sciences, energy, engineering, environmental science, geology, information sciences, materials science, mathematics, neuroscience, oceanography, public health, and physics. A description of each field can be found at: http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/scienceandtech. Applicants must be proficient in English with a recent TOEFL score of 580 or higher.
Applications must be submitted online via the website https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international; supporting documents can be submitted in hard copy to the American Cultural Center in Damascus. Please contact the American Cultural Center at 011-3391-4107 or FulbrightSyria@state.gov for more information. The competition for the 2010-2011 academic year has now closed. Please check back in January 2010 for more information about the 2011-2012 competition.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
This grant provides a one-year scholarship for mid-career professionals for academic and practical studies in the United States. Fellowships are granted competitively to professional candidates, especially in the following fields: agriculture, planning and resource management, public administration, public health, economic development, finance and banking, technology management, and environmental planning. For more information, see http://www.humphreyfellowship.org or contact the American Cultural Center at 011-3391-4107 or FulbrightSyria@state.gov.
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program
The FLTA Program provides an opportunity for young, international teachers of English ages 21-29 to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States while engaging in non-degree studies. FLTAs add an energetic and up-to-date cultural component to foreign language classes as well as to student life on U.S. campuses. Along with their studies, FLTAs teach Arabic language courses, supervise language labs and conversation groups, and act as cultural and linguistic ambassadors. The application must be completed online via the website https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta/. More information can be found at http://www.flta.fulbrightonline.org/ or by contacting the American Cultural Center at 011-3391-4107 or by e-mail at FulbrightSyria@state.gov. The competition for the 2010-2011 program has now closed. Please check back in January 2010 for more information about the 2011-2012 competition.
International Institute for Political and Economic Studies (IIPES)
The Fund for American Studies and Georgetown University present the premier academic program for future leaders, the International Institute for Political and Economic Studies (IIPES) in Greece. Each summer, IIPES brings students from the United States, the Middle East and Balkans together to learn about each other and explore ways to cross the barriers that divide their cultures. The curriculum engages students in philosophical examination of government, society and culture, conflict management, and political economy. Both graduate and undergraduate credit are available from Georgetown University for students attending the program. For more information about IIPES and applications, please visit the website at http://www.tfasinternational.org. For additional questions, please contact international@tfas.org.
Study of the United States Institutes
The institutes are four-to-six-week intensive academic study programs held on U.S. campuses for small groups of participants from around the world. Institutes also include an integrated educational visit to another U.S. region, as well as cultural and community service activities to increase the participants’ understanding of U.S. society. Each year, programs for university faculty will be offered on: American civilization, American politics and political thought, contemporary American literature, U.S. foreign policy, journalism and media, and religious pluralism. There will also be a program for secondary educators. English fluency is required. More information about the program can be found on the website: http://exchanges.state.gov.