The Next Generation of Student Leaders Embrace Civic Engagement

Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State, FHI 360 provided 66 European undergraduate students the opportunity to explore U.S. society, culture, and institutions as part of Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders from Europe Program. These 66 students participated on three different institutes reflecting their selected areas of interest: Civic Engagement, Social Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Issues. Selected for their outstanding commitment to youth leadership, 22 participants traveled to the University of South Carolina (USC) to learn the history of Civic Engagement in the United States and how citizen participation has shaped U.S. economic, social, and political history.

These 22 participants explored themes of U.S. Democracy and Civic Engagement, Human Rights and Diversity, U.S. Institutions and Community Leadership, and U.S and European Issues through leadership workshops, volunteer activities, classroom lectures, and group discussions over a five-week academic and cultural exchange.

Through carefully designed leadership workshops, these students explored a variety of skills, from the importance of teambuilding to good listening and how to engage local stakeholders. As they explored the characters of a strong leader through different activities, the group discussed and identified characteristics within themselves and each other that made them strong leaders. After an afternoon of teambuilding at a ropes course, Ioannis from Greece, felt “everyone knew when it was the right time to lead and when to follow… [and] use the right skills when the right time demands them to”.

All SUSI participants collaborated on group projects around different issues their communities faced. Participants Lauryna (left) and Daniel (center) present their group project at the Washington, DC Capstone Conference to University of South Carolina student ambassador Chris (right). Credit: Ana Astiz, FHI 360

In addition to developing their leadership skills, the participants, through various volunteer activities, explored the role of the citizen in contributing to the greater good of the community. They worked alongside local citizens at Habitat for Humanity and South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy. Through his volunteerism experiences, Ioannis noted, “no matter how small your help is, always evaluate a situation because it might prove a ‘savior’ for someone in true need”. He and his fellow participants were able to connect with the extended USC network, further expanding their appreciation for citizen engagement and community leadership.

SUSI participants with volunteers at the South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy. Participants learned about the effects and symptoms of epilepsy and spent the afternoon making caps for EEG patients. Credit: South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy

The five-week program centered around a rigorous academic curriculum that included engaging in lively classroom discussions with current USC students and lecturers. The topics of these discussions highlighted the differentiating viewpoints surrounding African American, immigrant, and refugee populations, climate change, and U.S.-European economic policy and allowed the students to further explore and comprehend U.S. democracy, human rights, and diversity.

At the end of the program, the participants reflected on the experience and referred to their new found European and U.S. counterparts as one “big international family.” These emerging civic engagement leaders have now returned home with an expanded network, new knowledge, and practical skills to contribute to their future endeavors, and we wish them the best of luck!

A growing tradition amongst exchange participants – At the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial reflecting on the exchange experience that brought them a new sense of community and an international network. Credit: Matiss, SUSI Participant

This story is the first in a series highlighting the Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe Program. Please look for the Environmental Issues institute in our next newsletter!