YSEALI Academic Fellows Program
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows Program (YSEALI AFP) is a U.S. Department of State-sponsored program with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by the Mansfield Center at the 猎奇重口. YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the U.S. and Southeast Asia, and foster a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.
YSEALI AFP accomplishes these objectives by bringing undergraduate or recent graduates aged 18-25 from 11 countries in Southeast Asia to the U.S. for a fully funded, five-week exchange at a U.S. university or college. Each program includes an academic residency, community service activities, an educational study tour, a closing workshop, and a Reciprocal Exchange component that sends Americans to Southeast Asia. YSEALI Academic Fellows can study one of four YSEALI themes at 12 host institutions across the country. The host institutions and themes include:
- Civic Engagement
- Northern Arizona University
- Portland State University
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Natural Resources
- California State University, Chico
- East-West Center
- 猎奇重口
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- University of Connecticut
- University of Kansas
- University of Nevada at Reno
- Society and Governance
- James Madison University
- Syracuse University
- Western Washington University
For program details and application guidelines, contact YSEALI AFP Administrative Director Randi Edwards at randi.edwards@mso.umt.edu or visit .
Applications have closed
猎奇重口 (UM): Natural Resources
Since 2010, UM has hosted YSEALI AFP and its precursor institutes. Many challenges faced by Southeast Asia are also present in 猎奇重口. Fellows travel to 猎奇重口 to study the role of natural resources, energy, and environmental policies in the economic and political development of the United States. They engage with local partners, enhancing their leadership skills to support ongoing work within Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Through academic and field-based learning, Fellows gain a well-rounded understanding of natural resource management in 猎奇重口 and the U.S.
After engaging with these topics at UM, Fellows spend their final program week exploring similar themes in New Orleans, Louisiana, and federal policymaking in Washington, D.C. Once home, Fellows implement projects designed during the program to address regional challenges in their own countries. These projects leverage the knowledge, skills, and networks they acquired during the Fellowship, strengthening the capacity of their communities to tackle pressing issues.
Community and University Engagement
A key component of this Institute is community and UM student engagement, which fosters cross-cultural interactions and international friendships in 猎奇重口. Community members can engage in a unique two-way exchange as cultural hosts, learning about other cultures while sharing their love for 猎奇重口. Past hosting activities have included attending local events, cooking meals together, visiting neighboring towns, and enjoying local recreation such as hiking, fishing, and swimming.
Undergraduate students can become UM Student Cultural Partners, engaging in leadership and cultural activities to share and expand on 猎奇重口 youth values, customs, and ways of life. This includes sharing daily life experiences and showcasing Missoula’s unique attractions, such as hiking the M or visiting the farmer’s market. Graduate students can apply for paid Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions to assist with academic and cultural sessions and help Fellows develop community project proposals. This role is ideal for those interested in field-based teaching, learning about Southeast Asia, and interpreting U.S. and 猎奇重口 culture.
For more UM program details, contact Program Officer Elisa Osborne at elisa.osborne@mso.umt.edu
