The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program of the U.S. Department of State managed by the Mansfield Center brings emerging leaders from Southeast Asia to Montana for intensive short-term fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise. The Fellows are placed in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, academia, and government offices across Montana to learn first-hand how issues in their fields are addressed in the United States. Host organizations and partners from a broad range of fields are needed for these programs.

Some U.S. Fellowship Hosts also have the opportunity to travel to their Fellow's home country for follow-on programs to share their own knowledge, experience a foreign culture, and study best practices in their field in a foreign country.

Fellowship Host Responsibilities

• Define the Fellowship. The Fellowship is considered a professional shadowing experience, but the expectation is that the guest will rotate around the business/organization during the Fellowship to gain a comprehensive view of the business/organization. The U.S. partner should expect a significant time commitment in terms of organizing the Fellowship but should plan meetings and job shadows with others within the host organization as well as other relevant organizations.

• Complete all program requests for information and evaluations by the stated deadlines.

• Commit the time and the interest to hosting your partner, ensuring that you provide the hospitality and experience that is a hallmark of hospitality standards.

• Be open to the cultural differences you will experience with your partner. Represent your organization and community well and respect the differences you may encounter.

How to Apply

The Mansfield Center manages a variety of programs focusing on topics like the environment, economic empowerment, civil society development, education, and more throughout the year, with a focus on exchanges in the summer and fall.

To learn more about programs currently seeking Fellowship Hosts that might suit you or your organization, contact Deena Mansour at deena.mansour@umontana.edu or (406) 243-2838.