US-MEX FoCUS 2018 Application

Application Deadline: Saturday October 13, 11:59pm CDT time.

This application is now open.

Dear prospective Delegate,

Thank you for your interest in the US-Mexico Forum for Cooperation, Understanding and Solidarity (FoCUS). FoCUS offers a unique opportunity for young leaders across Mexico and the United States to interact, collaborate, and forge new relations. In addition, FoCUS provides delegates with valuable tools and experiences to help them become engines of growth and cross-national innovation.

Each year, FoCUS selects 30 outstanding students—15 from each country—to become our delegates. This group of young leaders will benefit from a wide range of academic and cultural opportunities while working on collaborative projects in preparation for the biannual FoCUS summits, which brings the selected delegates together twice a year - first in Mexico and then in the United States.

PROGRAM A) MEXICO CITY - SILICON VALLEY: This year, the program will focus on security, commerce, and equality. The first summit will take place in Mexico City (November 13th-18th, 2018), hosted by the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and ITESM (Tec de Monterrey) and the closing summit, hosted by Stanford University, will take place in Palo Alto, California (April 2019).

Delegates are selected based on their potential for becoming leaders and advancing the relations between Mexico and the United States in a wide spectrum of sectors, including: public service, academia, journalism, technology, and business. It is important that delegates be committed to developing innovative ideas and project proposals with the potential to positively impact the relations between the people of both countries. This element is of utmost importance to the selection committee. More than experience, we are searching for delegates with unique perspectives and creative ideas that will contribute to the diversity in interaction that we hope to encapsulate in our summits.

There are no fees associated with applying or participating in this program. If you are selected as delegate, we will provide lodging and some, but not all, of the meals. Nonetheless, delegates are expected to contribute to their travel expenses (i.e. airfare and transportation costs). We want to ensure that financial need does not prevent anyone from becoming part of this project. If you are not able to cover these costs, we will make an effort to provide financial aid on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that the applicant's ability to pay for the airfare will NOT be a factor in the admission decision.

Finally, please keep in mind that you will need a valid passport and VISA (for non-US citizens) to travel to Mexico and the United States. In addition, the official language of both conferences will be English and Spanish, for this reason, we recommend all applicants to have a basic proficiency on both languages.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@usmexfocus.org. Thank you again for your interest. We look forward to read your application!

Sincerely,
The FoCUS Team

Please note: you will not be able to save your application before submission. We recommend you review the questions and draft your answers in another document before submitting.

The application contains three parts:

PART 1. Personal Information
PART 2. Questions, Essay and Short Video
PART 3. Resume and Attachments

If you have questions about the application, please contact us at info@usmexfocus.org

PART 1. Personal Information

Full Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name

Date of birth*

MonthDayYear

What is your preferred name?

Gender*

MaleFemaleOther

Place of birth

(city, state, country)

Citizenship*

MexicoUnited StatesOther

Do you have a valid passport?*

YesNo

Do you have a valid US Visa?*

YesNoNA

Email*

Phone number*

Area codePhone number

What is your current address?*

(city, state, country)

In which country are you pursuing your degree?*

MexicoUnited StatesOther

What University or institution do you currently attend?*

What degree are you currently enrolled in?*

Undergraduate (BA, BS, etc)Graduate (MA, PhD, etc)Other

What is your major or concentration?

When is your expected graduation date?*

(mm/yyyy)

How would you rate your ENGLISH language proficiency?*

(1=None, 2=Basic, 3=Medium, 4=Proficient, 5=Native)

How would you rate your SPANISH language proficiency?*

(1=None, 2=Basic, 3=Medium, 4=Proficient, 5=Native)

How did you find out about FoCUS?*

Which of the following issues interest you the most?*

PART 2. Questions, Essay and Short Video

Questions & Essay...

These essays demonstrate your ability to write clearly and concisely regarding a selected topic, and help you to distinguish yourself through your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses and resume? This is an opportunity for you to share with us who you are, how you think, and why you should be part of FoCUS. Answer EACH of the two essays in either English or Spanish (your choice), using the prompts to inspire and structure your response. Please do not exceed the indicated word limit.

PERSONAL STATEMENT. Why do you want to be a delegate? How do your experiences (both in and outside school) reflect the spirit of transnationalism embodied by the relationship between the two countries and the mission of US-MEX FoCUS? How will you contribute to the diversity of perspectives in FoCUS?*

(Max. 500 words)0/500

ESSAY. Choose a current issue related to U.S.-Mexico relations and create a public policy proposal, startup idea, investment strategy, or other solution that you would suggest to approach this challenge. What is the problem you are addressing within the area you choose? What is your solution? How will it be executed? Please be as specific as possible.*

(Max. 450 words)0/450

SHORT VIDEO. FoCUS is not only about having ideas but also about sharing them. In a short video, tell us your opinion on why the relationship between Mexico and USA is important. Share your video through your preferred social media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.) using the hashtags #FoCUSOnTheFuture and #BuildingBridgesNotWalls and paste the link to it bellow.

Max. video length: 2 mins.

PART 3. Resume and Attatchments

Please upload a PDF version of your resume or CV. If you want some advice on how to create a successful resume, visit the following link:

https://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/cdc/files/08_Resumes_Cover_Leters.pdf

If you have any problems uploading your CV, please send it to info@usmexfocus.org

To find the "Acknowledgment of Participation" letter (AoP), visit our website US-MEX FoCUS. In the 'Application' section, you can download the document that must be signed by two (minimum) of your professors or the dean of your department of study.

Upload Resume*

Upload a File

Upload AoP*

Browse Files

By submitting I confirm that all the information presented in this application is complete and correct. I also certify that I have completed this application on my own without the assistance of any other person. I understand that false or misrepresented information will result in my exclusion or expulsion from the program.

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