Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange

The Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange is designed to connect innovative student leaders from Russia and the United States.

This 10-week, non-credit virtual exchange program is funded by the U.S. Department of State. Russian and American university students will work together to learn practical skills for starting a business.

The program will focus on the following key elements:

• Building business and entrepreneurship skills;
• Intercultural competency development;
• Pushing boundaries in advocacy for inclusion by creating innovation and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The program will run from February 15 - April 29, 2021, with a one-week break March 15-21. Weekly courses will involve 2-3 hours of interaction, instruction, and project development. After completing the program, all participants will have access to online courses and workshops, and remain in contact with their Russian and American peers. Final business projects that are found to have strong merits for success will be provided with additional resources to continue the business proposal development after the program ends.

The participants are expected to be highly motivated students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Their fields of study can vary, and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.

The Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange is administered by CIEE, a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization.

Applications are due Sunday, January 17, 2021, 23:59 (Moscow Time).

Applications should be sent to info@exchangeprograms.online.

Candidates:

• citizens of Russia living and studying in the Russian Federation;
• currently enrolled in a Russian college or university at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level;
• proficient in English;
• between 18 and 25 years of age;
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the program elements;
• mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
• willing and able to fully participate in the program.