Study of U.S. Institutes
The Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders are programs 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. SUSIs are five-to-six-week academic programs designed for foreign undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25. The aim of these programs are 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 Institutes include a four-week academic residency consisting of interactive classroom activities, discussions, lectures, readings, site visits and workshops; a one-week educational study tour to a different region of the United States; leadership skills building activities; community service; and opportunities to interact with their American peers on a college campus. Each Institute includes approximately 20 participants from selected countries.
At the University of Nevada, Reno, the Northern Nevada International Center administers two different SUSI programs. The first is the John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service, and the second is the Study of the U.S. Institute for Global Student Leaders on Climate Change and the Environment.
Prospective participants should contact the Public Affairs Section of their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information about 2024 and 2025 Institutes. U.S. Embassies manage the nomination of candidates, as well as organize participants' visa interviews and pre-departure orientations. In some countries, Fulbright Commissions may select candidates.
John McCain’s study of the U.S. Institutes on the Rule of Law and Public Service (SUSI McCain)
Program dates: June 19-July 26, 2024
For more information, contact the Program Coordinator Sara Jones at susi@nnic.org.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders 2023 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, governmental agencies, and representatives of non-profit organizations.
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 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
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 summer 2021, the nonprofit virtually hosted 13 undergraduate military and civilian students from Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Malaysia and Colombia.
In summer 2022, in-person programming returned, and NNIC hosted 13 undergraduate military and civilian students from Kuwait, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Colombia.
In the fall of 2022, the alumni of the 2021 virtual cohort were hosted in Washington, D.C. for a two-week alumni program.
In summer 2023, NNIC hosted 18 undergraduate military, law enforcement, and law school student leaders from Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Zambia.
In the summer of 2024, NNIC will again host undergraduate military, law enforcement, and law school students from across the globe.
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Global Student Leaders, on Climate Change and the Environment (SUSI GSL)
Program dates: June 20-July 27, 2024
For more information, contact the Program Coordinator at susi@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 2023, NNIC hosted 20 undergraduate students from various countries. In 2024, NNIC will host a new group of 20 students for this program.
The Climate Change and Environmental Issues program 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 one of the Program Coordinators, or you may email susi@nnic.org.