Program Details

Application Deadline: November 21, 2014

Applicants Informed: November 28, 2014

Orientation and Visa Appointment: December 8, 2014

Program Dates: January 6-21,2015

Locations to visit: Washington, DC; Berkeley, CA; Tulsa, OK; Dallas, TX

Purpose:

Muslim communities in the UK have been confronting serious challenges, from radicalization of young people to alienation and lack of employment opportunities to Islamaphobia. In order to promote positive change within their communities, community leaders must be empowered and given opportunities to enhance their leadership abilities. This project promotes young Muslim leaders and offers them the opportunity to travel to different regions of the U.S. to learn and share with their NGO counterparts about grassroots political participation and American Muslim and other minority communities’ circumstances.

Logistics Q&A

  • What type of medical insurance will the participants have during their trip?Cultural Vistas hasa private insurance plan which will cover all participants during their time on the program (the full details of coverage will be forwarded to confirmed participants).
  • Will the international flights be accompanied? The participants will all be booked on the same international flights but they will not be accompanied by an escort.Participants should make their own way to the London airport. On arrival in the U.S. the group will be met by the escorts. For the return journey, the group will be escorted by staff to the departure airport where the participants will again fly as an unaccompanied group.Participants should then make their own way home. The exact international flight itinerary will be advised nearer to the time of travel.
  • Upon arrival to the US, what forms will the participants need to fill out? The airline crew will give the participants 2 forms that they will have fill out – the I-94 Arrival/Departure record and the CF-6059 customs declarations form. When they arrive in the US and are interviewed by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, they will have to present their passport, J-1 visa, DS-2019 (this form will be given to them by the Embassy after their visa interview), I-94 and CF-6059.
  • How much luggage should the participants take with them? Each participant is allowed 1 checked luggage of 50 lbs (~22.7 kg), 1 carry-on and 1 personal item (i.e. ladies’ purse). If you feel the participant needs more luggage, you can pay the additional fees that the airline charges. Please remember the participants may wish to make some purchases to take back to the UK, so their packed baggage departing the UK should be less than 22.7 kg allow for those purchases.
  • What type of clothes should they pack?Participants will need clothes for slightly different types of weather and events. Washington DC will be very cold in January with a good possibility of snow. Texas, Oklahoma and Northern California might also be cold, but could possibly be a little warmer than the UK.
  • What type of pre-departure orientation will the participants get? In addition to a pre-departure orientation at the Embassy, Cultural Vistas will create an online platform for all participants to engage in prior to departure. This platform provides a means for participants to begin communicating with one another and with program staff about the program.
  • How many escorts will there be at any one time?Participants will be met at the airport by at least 1 staff member who will be with the group at all times during their stay in the US.
  • Will the escort(s) be the same across the whole trip? Yes.
  • Do the escorts have first aid training? Yes.
  • Will domestic flights be accompanied? Absolutely.
  • What types of local transportation will be used (people carriers, trains etc)? Local transport will be via vans.
  • How will hotels, meals and transportation be paid for? Hotels, transportation and cultural activities will be paid for. Meals will be in restaurants with the exception of some meals in home-stays. All dietary needs will be accommodated.
  • Will the participants be provided with spending money? If so, how much?Participants will need to bring their own money for souvenirs and anything ‘extra’ they may be purchase while in the US, i.e., electronics, clothing, etc. Recommended amount for spending money would be $200-$250 unless they plan to purchase a computer, camera, iPad, iPod, etc.
  • When staying in hotels, will the participants be in single or shared rooms? Shared double rooms depending on the division of participants by gender.
  • When staying in hotels, will an escort be staying there at the same time? Will he/she be staying in a room nearby? Absolutely.

Applications Q&A

  • My passport has expired and/or I can’t renew my passport before May 1st
  • You can send in the application with the old passport’s details. Renew your passport as soon as possible and send the details of the new passport to nce you have it.
  • Can you confirm the programme dates?

January 6- 21, 2015

  • When will I find out if I was successful?
  • We aim to let candidates know by November 28th at the latest.
  • How should I answer the questions?
  • We are looking for evidence of interest, enthusiasm, community spirit and a willingness to learn more about the US. Beyond this you can write what you want on the application form and focus on any area that really interests you. Above all, we would like to get to know you, so put in as much relevant detail as you can.
  • Can I forward the application on to a friend/org?
  • Yes, you can forward the application to friends.
  • Can you let me know about other exchange programmes?
  • If you would like, we can keep hold of your details and notify you when we have new exchange programmes.