The future of the Tunisian workforce is looking brighter as 66 highly motivated Tunisian students prepared this weekend for a year of U.S. based training through the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program [6]. The 2013-2014 Thomas Jefferson scholars come from 22 of Tunisia’s 24 governorates and will study at community colleges [7] and universities across the United States.
The Thomas Jefferson scholars were selected for the inaugural year of this profession development opportunity through an intense, nation-wide competition. With the goal of preparing Tunisian youth to contribute to Tunisia’s economy, the Thomas Jefferson scholars will develop professional skills through training in leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, and professional excellence; attend courses in their fields of study; and complete professional internships in the U.S.
Speaking to the Thomas Jefferson scholars on July 6th, representatives of the U.S. Embassy to Tunisia encouraged the students to learn new skills in the U.S. and bring them back to Tunisia with them. Representatives of the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education encouraged the students to learn and make connections across sectors in the U.S. – academic, professional, and cultural.
Alumni of similar U.S. government programs encouraged the scholars to take advantage of the opportunities available to them in the United States, such as taking courses in different fields of study; taking advantage of skills training opportunities; and getting involved in their local U.S. communities.
During the two-day pre-departure orientation in Tunis, Thomas Jefferson scholars shared goals for their U.S. based training, including: learning new business skills, being successful in their academics, sharpening their talents, improving their English, and promoting a positive image of Tunisia to Americans.
On the evening of July 6th, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Jake Walles invited the scholars and family members to a reception in their honor. Ambassador Walles congratulated the scholars and their families, and they shared with him their hopes and goals for their Thomas Jefferson program.
The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State [8].