YSEALI-USINDO PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM
As its in-country partner, USINDO facilitates exchanges for American and Indonesian political, policy, and community leaders to expand their network and to develop their skills.
YSEALI Professional Fellows Program
YSEALI Professional Fellows Program 2025
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) is a two-way U.S. Department of State exchange program designed to strengthen people-to-people ties between young leaders from Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and the United States. Through virtual activities and intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise and enhance their leadership capabilities, YSEALI PFP provides emerging Southeast Asian leaders with the opportunity to gain first-hand experiences in, and exposure to, U.S. public and private sector offices working on a variety of issues related to Civic Engagement; Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Empowerment; Society and Governance; and Sustainability and the Environment. Follow-on reciprocal exchanges provide select American professionals the opportunity to visit Southeast Asia to further enhance two-way exchange, support, and knowledge sharing with YSEALI PFP alumni in their home communities.
YSEALI PFP is planned to be administered as a hybrid program, which will include virtual activities and an in-person U.S.-based Institute. Applicants must have reliable internet connectivity to participate in virtual activities. Applicants will select one of two possible program cycles in 2025.
YSEALI Professional Fellows Program Overview
Leadership and Professional Development Curriculum
The program will commence with a virtual launch to provide an overview of the upcoming activities, followed by Fellows participating in "Leading Change," an online leadership course aimed at enhancing their competencies in community action, leadership, management, and media literacy. Additionally, they will engage in a personalized virtual Alumni Mentor Program, which offers guidance before, during, and after the program, helping to integrate them into the wider alumni network. Finally, Fellows will take part in a professional development session and have one-on-one calls with American experts in preparation for the U.S.-based Institute.
Professional Fellowship Institute
Fellows will begin with a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation, followed by an arrival orientation and an integrated professional study tour in a U.S. city. They will then spend four weeks in a tailored fellowship experience, working with a U.S. placement host organization. During their stay, Fellows will also engage in a community service opportunity to participate in civic engagement with a U.S. community. Additionally, they will develop a follow-on Action Plan proposal aimed at completing a project that addresses a specific objective, building on their YSEALI Professional Fellows Program experience. Fellows will also have the opportunity to experience home hospitality with an American host family.
YSEALI Fellows Forum (YFF)
At the conclusion of the program, Fellows will participate in the YSEALI Fellows Forum (YFF), a program-wide conference that brings together Fellows from all four Institute themes, providing opportunities to network and collaborate. The YFF also offers exposure to speakers and workshops designed to further enhance Fellows' professional competencies.
Alumni Engagement Opportunities
Fellows will design follow-on Action Plans to address challenges in their home communities and will be eligible to invite a U.S. placement host from their fellowship to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in their community. Additionally, Fellows can participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops.
Application Instructions and Deadline
The application for the 2025 YSEALI PFP program is open until October 17. Visit www.yseali.org to learn more and apply.
As an in-country partner organization, USINDO work closely with both American Councils for International Education and the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta in the selection process, visa application, and pre-departure briefing.
For questions regarding your application, please contact ysealipfp@americancouncils.org.