Frequently Asked Questions

What is the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program? 

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) is a professional development exchange program for the best and brightest community leaders from Southeast Asia, working in the fields of civic engagement, NGO management, economic empowerment, governance, legislative process, environmental and natural resources management. The YSEALI PFP provides participants a month-long fellowship at U.S.-based companies, non-profit organizations, institutions, and government offices. Fellows will work with community leaders to enhance their practical expertise, leadership skills, and professional contacts to address issues in their home communities. 

Do I need to pay for the program?  What are the costs?  

If you are selected as a finalist, the U.S. Department of State will cover costs associated with your international travel, visa, and basic living costs in the U.S. There are no required costs to Fellows.

How is COVID-19 impacting YSEALI PFP?

In response to the ongoing global pandemic, YSEALI PFP will be offered as a hybrid program with virtual activities leading up to a U.S.-based exchange. Please note, the in-person, U.S.-based Institute is contingent upon favorable travel conditions. In the event there are travel restrictions, YSEALI PFP will pivot the in-person, U.S.-based exchange to virtual programming.

Am I eligible to apply?  

Please see the eligibility requirements listed here.

How do I apply?  

Please see the application instructions listed here.

How are Fellows selected? 

Fellows are selected through a competitive nationwide search that involves a merit-based selection process. This includes an extensive written application and in-person interview. The selection of finalists is determined in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State.

Can I apply to more than one Institute theme?

Applicants will be instructed to rank the themes in order of preference but will ultimately be assigned to one theme. Applications are subject to transfer to different themes, should it be deemed appropriate. For more information on the four Institute themes, visit this page.

What type of U.S. visa do I need and how will I get it?

Fellows will be required to obtain a J-1 (Exchange Visitor) visa from the consular section at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country in order to be eligible to participate in YSEALI PFP. American Councils will assist Fellows with the visa application process, but holds no sway over visa granting decisions made by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. All visa fees will be covered through the program as well as travel costs to attend the visa interview. Failure to obtain a J-1 visa will result in termination from the program. Recipients of a J-1 visa are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement after the exchange program, meaning they must return to their home country for at least two years following participation in YSEALI PFP, although limited exceptions may apply.

Where will I live? 

YSEALI Fellows will be housed in U.S. host families, university housing, at a nearby extended stay hotel, or some combination of these options. At minimum, all Fellows will be provided a home hospitality experience such as dinner with an American family, a cultural excursion, short-term homestay, or other relevant activity to encourage cultural exchange.

How will my fellowship placement be assigned?

Fellows will be placed in a non-profit, public, or private sector organization in the United States for the duration of the fellowship placement using information provided in your application, interview, and other materials. Program implementers will do their best to consider your interests and requests for a specific topic or fellowship placement. However, please note that preferences are non-binding and the final decision about fellowship placement is based on many factors including availability. Not every type of profession will have an exact match in the United States, but program implementers will attempt to find something similar or related to your professional interests.

What will I do at my fellowship placement? 

Each Fellow is paired with a U.S. placement host ahead of their arrival to the U.S., who serves as the main point of contact for the Fellow and coordinates their tasks and activities. You will be connected with your U.S. placement host prior to your arrival to the U.S. While at your U.S. fellowship placement, you will likely engage in a wide range of activities which may include shadowing important meetings, conducting research, presenting on relevant topics, participating in office events, joining pre-existing projects, and many other activities. YSEALI PFP is a Fellow-driven experience. Fellows who are most successful set goals and objectives for the program in advance of their arrival and proactively share them with their U.S. placement host, along with information about their background and experiences at home. This information can help to guide your experience and help you get the most out of your fellowship placement.

I just submitted an application. What happens next?

All applicants should receive an automated confirmation email upon submission of the application. The application review process can take up to six weeks. The YSEALI PFP team will contact all applicants regarding their status by email, so please keep an eye on your email in the weeks following the application deadline.

What happens after the program? 

Upon completion of the program, Fellows are considered YSEALI PFP alumni and are eligible for further alumni programming and opportunities through the alumni network. The post-U.S. components are as important to the YSEALI PFP as the U.S.-based components and participation in follow-on program activities is mandatory. This includes implementation of follow-on Action Plans to address challenges encountered in Fellows’ home communities. Select Fellows may receive funding to implement their Action Plan or invite a U.S. placement host from their fellowship placement to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in the Fellow’s country. Additionally, YSEALI PFP alumni will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops.