The United States Embassy in Sofia announces they now accept applications for the 2011 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute.

The Institute will be organized in the summer of 2011 in the US for students aged 16 through 18.

The Summer Institute is an intensive exchange program that focuses on the global issues that youth face on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.  The initiative aims at fostering relationships among the younger generations of Europeans, Central Asians, and Americans in light of the global challenges of the 21st Century.  The specific goals of the Institutes are to develop a commitment to transatlantic cooperation; to foster relationships between American, Central Asian, and European youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups; to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Europe/Eurasia; and to develop a cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action.

All participant costs are covered by the US State Department.

Those willing to participate can obtain information at bulgaria. usembassy. gov

Students must be fluent in English and submit a 400-words essay, explaining why they want to be part of the program. The deadline is March 4.