PHILIPPINE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2008

HOST FAMILY INFORMATION

APRIL 20 – MAY 3, 2008

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the International Training Office at Northern Illinois University will once again host Muslim and non-Muslim youth and adult community leaders from the Southern Philippines during April and May 2008. This unique program is funded by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The Philippine participants are selected through a very competitive application process, have outstanding academic credentials and are fluent in English. They will be at Northern Illinois University for a five-week training institute designed to promote interethnic/interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution. The training institute will also introduce participants to American institutions that promote tolerance and will expose them to the religious and ethnic diversity of the United States.

We are once again seeking local families who would be interested in hosting these young people and their adult leaders. For the young people, we are seeking families from the DeKalb, Sycamore and surrounding communities who have at least one high school-aged child in their family. This scenario is desirable, but any family is welcome to apply. We are also seeking host families for the adult leaders who will be accompanying and working with the young people.

The students will move in with their host families on April 20, 2008; they will move back to the Holmes Student Center hotel at Northern Illinois University on May 3, 2008. The youth/adult leaders will join their host families for breakfast and most dinners and will have at a couple free days with their host families. Each host family will be required to attend a brief orientation session. During the orientation session, we will invite past host families to share their experiences from the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Philippine Youth Leadership Programs as well as provide information on the culture of the Southern Philippines and the Philippine Youth Leadership Program itself. 

During their stays with their host families, the young people and adult leaders will come to campus every day (except on free days) to attend scheduled workshops and activities. Host families will be expected to drop off their host youth/leaders at or before 8:30 in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon between 4:30 and 5:30 pm. Host families will be notified in advance of any changes in scheduling. Most families hosting the youth are asked to host two young people (Muslim/non-Muslim).

If you are interested in participating in this unique and exciting program, please contact:

Email: jlamb@niu.edu
Phone: (815) 753-1595 or (815) 753-1771

Host Family Flyer

Host Family Application Forms

For more information about the program, visit: Philippine Youth Leadership Program website: www.cseas.niu.edu/PhilAccess/

Updated 2/28/08

A federally funded National Resource Center since 1997, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies provides leadership, focus, and coordination for Southeast Asian studies at the university.  cseas@niu.edu