The Obama Foundation Leadership Program at Columbia University is looking for individuals who are very committed and have already demonstrated service and leadership in their communities or countries. They are looking for individuals who are change-makers, which means individuals who have already created a change in their society and are committed to finding solutions to different challenges in their country. The fully funded Obama Foundation Scholars Program for international students will gather all these change makers and will empower them to make a change worldwide. This unique USA Scholars program will bring together all these dedicated and passionate individuals on one international platform. The fully funded scholars program in the USA will provide them with different tools and knowledge that are needed to create meaningful and positive change on a global scale. The Obama Foundation Scholars Program in the USA is a 9-month-long scholars program. The scholars of the fully funded fellowship program in the USA will get a chance to create networks and connections with fellow scholars from all over the world. They will also learn from top-notch mentors and innovative leaders at a well-known university. The Scholars Program at Columbia University is designed by Columbia University in consultation with the Obama Foundation.Also, apply for the KingFahd University Scholarship in Saudi Arabia | Fully Funded

Benefits

• The fully funded fellowship will provide a monthly stipend to help with living expenses in New York City.
• Furthermore, the scholars will also get full tuition and fees coverage for up to four courses at Columbia University.
• Scholars will also get a furnished studio apartment within walking distance of Columbia University.
• In addition to all these benefits, the scholars will also get basic medical, dental, and life insurance for the fellowship duration in New York City.
• The Obama Foundation scholarship will also cover air travel to and from the scholar’s home country and any program-related activities.
• A fully funded opportunity to study for free in the USA.

Key Components of the Fellowship:

Scholars of the Program in the USA will engage in a comprehensive learning experience that includes academic, skills-based, and hands-on learning. It includes the following components:

1. Weekly Seminars: These seminars explore topics like key global trends, including inequality, power dynamics, technological developments, climate change, and population movements.
2. Personal and Professional Development Workshops: These workshops are designed to strengthen and enhance scholars’ practical skills. Some previous workshop areas are conflict management, data analysis, public speaking, and resilience.
3. Experiential Learning: Scholars will engage in the work of Columbia World Projects that will help them gain real-world experience.
4. Audited Coursework: Scholars will get academic flexibility to choose and enrol in up to two graduate-level courses every semester at Columbia.
5. Thought Leadership Speaker Series: Scholars will get to engage with seasoned practitioners from the NGO community, government, philanthropy, and international organisations to expand their networks and perspectives.
6. Columbia Faculty Adviser: Every scholar will be partnered with a Columbia faculty adviser to gain exposure to new insights and perspectives.
7. Engagement with the Columbia University Community: Scholars will actively contribute to the intellectual campus life and interact with diverse people and their perspectives.

Eligibility Criteria:

Does this fully funded program in the USA sound interesting to you? If it does, go through the eligibility criteria for the international scholars program below.

• Applicants should be emerging leaders who have already made a meaningful contribution to their field, and now they are at a “breakthrough moment” in their careers.
• Individuals from all over the world can apply for a fully funded fellowship in the USA.
• They should have a proven commitment to service and leadership within their community, region, or country, with a commitment to return to their communities to use their training, skills, and connections for the betterment of these communities.
• Applicants should have proficiency in verbal, written, and spoken English.
• Applicants should have the ability and inclination to shape their community’s future positively.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, hope, community orientation, courage, strategy, accountability, imagination, resilience, and integrity.
• Priority will be given to those applicants who have not enrolled at Columbia University, as the fellowship program is a full-time, residential program and cannot be undertaken with a degree program at the same time.

Required Documents

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Personal video statement
• Responses to Short Essay Questions
• English proficiency proof
• Two letters of recommendation