WASHINGTON SPRING SCHOOL

on International Development and Politics

21 September - 6 October 2019, Washington, DC

 

Click here for the Albanian version | Klikoni ketu per versionin ne Shqip
 

Introduction

 

In today’s world, it has become almost a professional requirement to be able to keep up to date with global developments, especially for those studying or working in international affairs, business, or trade. Yet, not all global developments are going to have the same impact on your area of work or studies. Therefore, it is imperative for today’s young professionals and scholars to be able to have, at least, a basic understanding of international development and international politics. These two fields of study are distinct, but also closely related.

 

To provide young scholars (grad students), students, and young professionals with an opportunity to explore key topics in both of these fields, the Bislimi Group Foundation is happy to offer the Washington Summer School on International Development and Politics. This program will take place from 21 September to 6 October 2019, in Washington, DC.  We are more than thrilled to also announce that the program participants will be staying at Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC.

 

To learn more about the previous editions of the Washington School, and to see pictures from some of their key activities, please see the Washington Winter School 2014 and the Washington Spring School 2015, as well as the Washington Spring School 2016.

 

Program Outline and Components

 

This is a two-week program consisting of five key components:

-         Daily seminars (4 hours, Monday-Friday) on the essentials of international development and politics;

-         Official meetings and visits with US Members of Congress or US Congressional Staff, and Ambassadors (or Ranking Diplomats) of several embassies n Washington, DC (all of these meeting to be confirmed);

-         Tour of historic sites and landmarks in Washington, DC;

-         A one-day trip to New York City, including a visit at the United Nations Headquarters;

-         Networking.

 

All study materials will be provided to participants. Materials are in English. However, the lectures will be provided in Albanian. So, participants need a basic understanding of English.

 

At the end of the program, participants get official Certificates of Completion.

 

Participants

 

This program is intended for junior and senior college/university students majoring in political science, economics, business, public administration, or another related social science. The program is also open to graduate students pursuing graduate studies in any of the above-mentioned fields, as well as young professionals working in a related field.

 

Potential participants should submit the following ONLINE APPLICATION and include a CV and cover letter (explaining their interest in the program and listing countries they have visited over the last five years) by Friday, August 16, 2019. Alternatively, you may email these documents to washington@bislimi.org.

 

Due to its own financial limitations, TBG Foundation advises potential participants to seek other sources of funding to cover expenses related to the program.

 

Once students are offered a place in the program, TBG Foundation will assist them in applying for a US visitor’s visa.

 

Program Cost, Transportation and Accommodation

 

The program cost is $2,850.00 per participant. TBG Foundation will offer a $850 partial tuition waiver scholarship to each selected participant to cover a significant tuition portion of the program cost.

 

The remaining cost per participant then is only $2,050.00 and it covers: airport transfers in Washington, local transportation, books and materials, accommodation, and a round-trip bus ticket to New York City as well as a visitor’s ticket for the 86^thfloor observatory of the Empire State Building in Manhattan, NYC.

 

Participants are responsible for their own air travel arrangements and costs (airfares are not included in the program cost shown above). We can help with making group airfare reservation at discount prices though. Transfers to and from the Washington, DC airport will be provided. Participants will be accommodated in a student-friendly environment in Washington, DC on the campus of Trinity Washington University (in double or triple rooms). A metro pass for local transportation will also be provided. Students are responsible for their own meals and the the cost of food.

 

Lead Instructor and Program Director

 

Mr. Faton Tony Bislimi will serve as the program’s lead instructor and director. Mr. Bislimi is currently a Doctoral Fellow at the EU Centre of Excellence, University of Alberta, where he is working on his PhD in political science on a SSHRC Joseph Armand Bombardier Doctoral Award. Prior to coming to the University of Alberta, Mr. Bislimi was an instructor of economics and international development at Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS. He has also taught at the American University in Kosovo and the Victory University College in Prishtina, Kosovo. Outside of the academic world, Mr. Bislimi has held managerial and professional positions with several international and intergovernmental organizations such as the UNDP, RTI International/USAID, OSCE, etc.  Mr. Bislimi holds an MA in International Relations (Dalhousie University, 2010), an MSc in International Development and Public Administration (Harvard University, 2007), and honors BSc/BA in Computer Science/Math (Texas Lutheran University, 2005). He is a published author and a recipient of many prestigious academic, leadership, and community service awards and prizes. Mr Bislimi is founder and president of the Bislimi Group Foundation and is currently living in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife and two daughters.

 

Questions

 

Please address all your questions to TBG Foundation via email: washington@bislimi.org.  Thank you.

 

APPLY ONLINE