Over this time, more than 2,800 citizens of the CIS and Baltic countries have been able to earn master's degrees at more than 150 American universities. The program bears the name of Edmund S. Muskie - as stated in the program's official documents, it is "a tribute to a man who devoted himself to serving American society, gratitude for his support of environmental protection laws and his activities in the field of international relations."
Citizens of Ukraine will also be able to participate in the 2004 program. Finalists of the Edmund S. Muskie program are placed in one- and two-year programs at leading universities in the United States. Graduates of most programs receive a master's degree or a certificate of education. In addition to university studies, participants in the Edmund S. Muskie program undergo a 12-week internship to gain practical experience in their field of specialization.
The competition for scholarships is open; selection is based on the academic and professional achievements and abilities of participants in the following fields: business administration, economics, education, environmental management and policy, international relations, journalism and mass media, law (Master of Laws), library science and informatics, public and nonprofit sector management, public health, public policy.
All decisions regarding university selection are made by the American selection committee, which includes admissions officers and faculty representatives from various U.S. universities. Finalists of the Edmund S. Muskie program are enrolled in U.S. universities according to their higher education, professional goals, and experience.
When selecting participants, high academic performance, professional experience, knowledge of English, awareness of the purpose of the trip, and the presence of leadership potential for work in the chosen field are taken into account. Applications from candidates that meet the program's requirements are reviewed from October to December. Participants selected for the semifinals are notified in December, then undergo testing and interviews in their countries of permanent residence in January-February. The interview lasts approximately 30 minutes and is conducted by members of the American selection committees.
We will tell you more about the procedure for obtaining the Edmund S. Muskie scholarship in one of the next issues.