This page contains last year's information. Although the program's outline remains the same the dates might change. Updated information will be added here as we get closer to the program start date.
Introduction
The second major component of the LDF program is the professional affiliation activity. This element of the program pairs each Fellow with an organization based in or around Washington DC, from April 27 to June 12. In order to make the best possible placement, we ask that you carefully read the information found below and respond quickly to our request for information about your interests in this activity.
Objectives
The objectives for the professional affiliation activity are to allow Fellows:
(a) to reflect on how theory from a classroom session applies in the real world;
(b) to engage with a broad range of Americans in a professional work setting; and,
(c) to acquire a deeper understanding of how institutions work in a democratic society.
Professional affiliation
Professional affiliations can be extremely exciting, scary, hopeful, hard, rewarding and fun – often in ways that are difficult to predict. Take for instance a few comments from last year’s group:
From a Fellow who worked at one of the think tanks . . . “It was the first time that I got to live and breathe in a dynamic democratic system, working on an important issue for a think tank that actually made its way up Capitoll Hill and then influence a policy stance toward my home country.”
From a Fellow who worked at an international NGO . . . “I was shocked to see how the competition for funding drives how NGOs operate. In many cases it really challenges the NGO to stay true to its mission.”
From a Fellow at a membership-based lobby group . . . “I loved every aspect of being at my job. I learned much about how the organization worked and how this group served and worked the political system for its members.”
Unfortunately, we also experienced some negative feedback from the Fellows. Some examples:
“I felt completely overworked and never had time to enjoy other aspects of being in Washington.”
“The work the organization does is not entirely relevant to the types of things I would like to do in the future”
“Over time, my supervisor seemed to ignore me.”
Important points
Based on last year’s experience we realize that there is a lot we can do to improve the professional affiliation component. To start, it is essential to clarify a few important points:
1) Acceptance into the LDF program does not guarantee that you will get your first choice of organization for your professional affiliation in the US. Rather, we have to go through a long matching process to find organizations that interest you and organizations that have an interest in working with you. This will require work on your part – mostly communication by email and phone - before you arrive in the United States. Our goal is to have the majority of you placed in host organizations before you arrive in March.
2) Host organizations have the expectation that you will contribute something to their organization. Your contribution will be the major motivation for them to open their doors for you to work and learn from them. As such, we need to carefully consider what knowledge, skills, and abilities you have. The more you communicate with us what you have to offer, the more attractive you will be.
3) Together – Maxwell Staff and the Fellow – we will work with the host organization that expresses interest in you to clarify the type work they would like you to do. An ideal scenario is for this work to relate closely to the broader objectives of the program and your personal interest. In some cases we may have to find suitable compromises.
4) One complicating factor is that every organization has a different process for screening Fellows. Some may wish to speak to you before you arrive in the United States, fill out forms, applications, etc. Others may simply find your resume interesting, accept you, and go from there.
5) Another important thing to keep in mind is that the organization you end up with may have a completely different working environment than others. As such, you should recognize that there will be significant variation from one Fellow’s experience to the next.
6) Though some of you may end up working very hard at these organizations, all your work will be done as a volunteer. The Fellowship provides for all your living costs while in the United States and you are not expected to receive extra payment for the work you do in these six weeks.
What next?
First Step: Maxwell staff gather from you information about your interests and expectations
Second Step: Maxwell staff and the Fellow work together to develop a list of potential organizations that may be of interest to you.
Third Step: Maxwell staff and/or the Fellow contact organizations that we have identified and develop individual work plans to secure a place at a host organization.
Fourth Step: Maxwell staff and Fellow make a final selection for the host organization, with a written job description and expectations of work duties.
Fifth Step: Introduce yourself to the host organization.
Support in Washington, D.C.
Although Syracuse University’s main campus is in Syracuse NY, we have an institutional home in Washington DC at our Greenberg House. During the course of your stay in Washington, we will arrange weekly meetings and informal seminars and workshops that take place at the Greenberg House. The purpose of these meetings is to allow the learning process to continue, with opportunities for Fellows to share experiences with each other. These meetings will also provide you an opportunity to share difficulties and problem-solving strategies. John Murray and Ebrahim Soltani will be in Washington DC with you and are the principal points of contact during the seven weeks you are there.
Previous placements
1) Academy for Educational Development (AED)
2) American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
3) American Federation of Teachers
4) Arab-American Anti Discrimination Committee
5) Arab-American Institute
6) Brookings Institute
7) Carnegie Endowment for Peace
8) The Cato Insitute
9) Committee to Protect Journalists
10) Conference of Catholic Bishops
11) Freedom House
12) Greening USA
13) International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
14) Internet Society
15) International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
16) National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
17) National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
18) Onondaga County Board of Elections
19) PACT
20) Street Law
21) Syracuse Post Standard
22) Vera House
23) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Attire
Generally "Business Casual" attire will suffice, both in Syracuse and during your professional affiliation. You should plan to have one or two more formal outfits (suit and tie for men, skirt or dress for women) to attend some social events and presentations that may require more formal attire. We will let you know when more formal attire is appropriate.
