The UK-US Youth Dialogue Programme (YDP) is funded by the Hummer Tuttle Foundation and delivered by the Windsor Fellowship (London), Legacy International (Virginia) and World Chicago (USA). The Windsor Fellowship started running programmes for young people in 1986 to help young people from across all backgrounds to maximise their individual, social and economic talents.

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In 2009 the Hummer Tuttle Foundation invited the Windsor Fellowship to work alongside them to enable groups of young people from the UK to visit the US and learn about life there. The resulting UK-US Youth Dialogue Programme has been designed to assist, educate and

develop young Londoners to grow into well-rounded, informed young adults. The programme aims to equip the young people with new perspectives into their individual, group, and community identities, and to build their leadership skills. 

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In order for the students selected to make the most of the programme in the USA, there is an extensive programme of three residential seminars before the visit and a further residential seminar in the early autumn. In February, before the residential programme begins, students, school staff and parents/guardians are invited to an introductory evening. In the summer, the students will take part in an American summer camp and experience living with an American family through a ‘home stay’ in Chicago.

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The main objectives of the programme are:

 

• To provide a safe and supportive, cross-cultural setting in which participants can learn, live and socialise together; develop lasting friendships; learn to express themselves with more confidence; all in the context of an exciting and memorable group experience

 

• To develop strong leadership, team building and communication skills – combined with thoughtful self-reflection and personal confidence

 

• To develop understanding of culture, lifestyles, values and issues in the USA through direct contact with diverse families, teenagers, leaders and organisations

 

• To give opportunities to study and discuss youth and global issues

 

• To encourage community involvement and provide skills development to enable continued investment in the community.

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Who is it for?

 

• Students aged 16-18, currently in Year 12 or Year 13 in full time further education in Greater London;

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• Students with a strong interest in learning more about America (and who have not had the chance to travel there within the last five years);

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• British Citizens with a valid passport and no restrictions on travel to the USA;

 

• Ability to commit to ALL parts of the programme (including residential seminars and workshops before and after the study visit);

 

• We welcome applications from students from all backgrounds and academic levels.

 

The Hummer Tuttle Foundation is particularly keen to attract young people who have not had the opportunity to travel to the USA.

 

How to apply:

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​We open recruitment for the YDP in December each year.  Please check this webpage or our Instagram page for updates.

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Deadline for applications:

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The deadline for YDP 2020 was on Monday 6 January 2020.  We are currently checking all applications received and will be in touch with applicants by close of play on Friday 17 January 2020.

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YDP recruitment timeline:

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6 December 2019 Recruitment opens

6 January 2020 Closing date for application forms

17 January 2020 Applicants informed of the outcome of their application

25 January or 1 February 2020 Shortlisted candidates invited to a meeting with YDP staff

7 February 2020 Final selection process complete and students informed

 

If you have any questions, please contact the YDP Project Manager at YDP@windsor-fellowship.org

 

Please follow us on Instagram (‘YouthDialogue’) or follow our progress via the Windsor Fellowship Facebook page.

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