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Applicant Information

Pre Departure Information

• Finances
• Technology
• Dress/Attire
• Travel
• Luggage
• Entering the United States
• General Information on the United States

Finances

As a MENA MEDIA Fellow, all program-related expenses are paid for, including: J-1 visa support; round-trip airfare from your home city to Washington DC; domestic airfare to Chicago for the academic training, host outlet city, and to DC for the Closing Seminar; academic program fees; accident and sickness insurance; housing; and a daily stipend for meals and incidental expenses.

IREX does not cover personal expenses.

Daily Stipend
You will receive a daily stipend for meals (when not provided) and incidentals for the entire program, including your travel days. The daily stipend is dictated by the US General Service’s Administration and is calculated by the cost of living. The amount for each city varies since location determines the rate. At the Welcome Orientation you will receive approximately $1500-$1800 in cash for your per diem for the entire program.

Visit www.gsa.gov and click on Per Diem Rates for more information.

Credit Card
Please be sure to bring a credit card. Most hotels require a credit card upon check in as a deposit for phone calls and additional charges during your stay (movies, mini bar, telephone calls, etc). These additional charges are considered personal and are not paid for by the program. If you do not have a credit card, please let an IREX representative know right away so we can make the appropriate arrangements.

Technology

Laptop  
It is not required that you bring a laptop, but they are useful since most fellows need to keep in communication with work.  Most hotels offer internet access in guest rooms. If you do not bring a laptop, the Allen Cener at Northwestern University is equipped with computer stations for your use. Your host outlet may or may not provide you with a computer while at your fellowship.

Fellows in the past have also purchased laptops while in the US since the prices of electronics in the US is comparatively low.  
NOTE: As of July 16, 2008, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made policy that sets forth the legal and policy guidelines within which officers may search, review, retain, and share certain information possessed by individuals who are encountered by CBP at the border.  To that end, officers may examine documents, books, pamphlets, and other printed material, as well as computers, disks, hard drives, and other electronic or digital storage devices. These examinations are part of CBP's long-standing practice and are essential to uncovering vital law enforcement information.  For more information, please visit: www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/admissability/search_authority.ctt/search_authority.pdf

I personally have not known anyone who has had their laptop confiscated at the border. If you want a laptop on the program, you can either purchase a laptop in the US or bring one at your own risk.

Cell phone/SIM Cards
To use your current phone in the US, you can purchase a SIM card, which allows you to use your phone in the US without paying international roaming charges. SIM cards with minutes can be purchased at most electronics stores in the US for a reasonable price. During the Welcome Orientation, we will refer you to appropriate retail stores in the area.
SIM cards are used with carriers that operate on the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network.

Prepaid/Pay-as-you-go Phone
If you don’t want to buy a SIM card, you can buy a prepaid phone in the US. Prepaid phones are relatively cheap and can be purchased at most electronic stores. Prepaid phones vary in price, depending on quality, features, and phone plans. However, keep in mind, some of these phones may be locked, which means that they can only be used with a specific carrier. If you do purchase a prepaid phone, you may want to look for one that is unlocked so you can use it back home.

Dress/Attire

Welcome orientation in Washington DC
During the three-day orientation in Washington, you will be visiting local media outlets, meeting contacts, and attending official events. Please be prepared to dress in professional attire.

Business Casual (Training)
During the training at Northwestern Media Management Center, the Allen Center staff encourages you to dress comfortably and in business casual attire.

Professional (Fellowship)
The US business environment varies based on industry and geographic location, so your attire for the fellowship component of the program strongly depends on the culture and environment of your host outlet.  Some outlets may require a suit every day, while others are more casual. When in communication with your host mentor, you may want to ask him/her about the work environment and the standard mode of dress. 

Weather varies greatly throughout the US in the months of October and November depending on location. You can look up average weather for Chicago, Washington DC, and your host outlet city at www.weather.com.

Travel

You should have been contacted by IREX staff regarding your international ticket. All tickets issued are electronic, and your final itinerary is sent to you by email.

Travel issues or questions, please contact: EWA Travel www.ewatravel.com

MONDAY-FRIDAY 830A-600P 1-800-305-8747

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY 800-639-8456

WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 888-335-4993 11AM-8PM EST

Please refer to your itinerary for dialing instructions from your home and transit countries.

Luggage

International Travel
Check with your airline and connecting airport regarding check-in and carry-on restrictions for international travel.  Passengers on international flights are allowed two free checked bags, no more than 50 lbs (22.5 kilos) each, one carry-on and one personal item.

IREX will not cover overweight baggage charges.

Most airport security does not allow more than 3 oz. (100 ml) of any fluid, gel, or liquid in carry-on luggage. Liquids, gels and/or aerosols are permitted through security checkpoints, but items must fit in one clear, re-sealable quart or liter-sized plastic bag, in containers of 3 oz/100 ml or less.

Visit or your airline’s website for more information:
www.united.com
www.britishairways.com
www.delta.com

Travel within the US
IREX will arrange all your domestic travel to Chicago, IL (training) to your host city and to Washington DC. All domestic passengers are allowed two checked bags and one carry-on plus a personal item.  Maximum weight for each checked baggage in US is 50 lbs (22.5 kilos).

Since you will be responsible for taking care of your own luggage and will be traveling on at least three domestic flights while in the US (to academic site, to host city, and to closing seminar), we recommend you pack light. Instead of one very large bag, two smaller bags may be easier to manage.

Note: Most of your domestic travel has been booked on United Airlines. United Airlines, like most airlines in the US now, charge passengers traveling domestically for checked baggage. United charges $15 for the first checked baggage and $25 for the second. The program will cover the costs of up to two checked bags. However, the program cannot pay for any charges incured due to overweight baggage.

The fee for overweight baggage varies by airline, and runs approximately $125 on United Airlines.

Entering the United States of America

Below you will find useful information regarding US immigration and custom regulations. For more and up-to-date information on international visitors with J1 visas, please visit the official United States Customs and Border Protection website: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/id_visa/study_exchange/student_visit_prog.ctt/student_visit_prog.doc

While en route to the US, if you encounter any problems or miss your flight please call the MENA MEDIA team: Renee Arigoni, Christine Prince, Michael Clarke, or Blake Saville at IREX
+1 202-628-8188 (9am – 6pm EST)
+ 1 202-427-6738 (emergency only)

While on the Plane
On your flight to the United States, the flight attendants will distribute two forms which need to be completed and given to US Immigration and Custom officials when entering the United States:
 
1. I-94 Form
2. Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form
Please note that your date of birth should always be written in this order: month/day/year (i.e., a birth date of May 25, 1968, would be 05/25/68).
Your name should be written in English as it appears on your IAP-66 form and/or passport.

1. I-94 Form

1. As a foreign national arriving in the United States, you are required to fill out an I-94 form.  Please complete both the Arrival Record and the Departure Record on the front.
2. Complete only the front side of the form.  Please print legibly, using blue or black ink only.  Entries must be in English and in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
3. The bottom portion of the form must be kept with your passport until you leave the United States.
4. When asked for “Address while in the US” use: 2121 K. St. NW, Suite 700, Washington DC 20037

2. Customs & Border Protection Form

1. Everyone entering the United States is required to fill out a Customs Declaration Form
2. The purpose of your trip is “Business” 
3. Most of the questions can be answered “yes” or “no.” 
4. The reverse side of this form must be signed and dated.  Please print legibly, using black or blue ink. 
5. Entries must be in English and in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS

Immigration/Passport Control – What to Expect
1. Have your DS-2019 form, I-94 form and your passport and visa ready for inspection when you pass through Immigration at your arrival airport in the United States. You should stand in the line for non-US citizens and/or non-immigrants.

2. Be prepared to present the following to a US Immigration Officer:

• Valid passport with valid J-1 visa
• DS-2019 form
• Completed I-94 Form
• You may also want to have other relevant documents, for example, your Accident and Sickness Insurance Policy, a copy of your signed “Acceptance Form”, and your IREX Welcome Letter.

3. If participant is found admissible, the immigration officer will:

• Return the valid passport with valid visa and INS entry stamp.
• Return the Departure Record portion of the I-94, stamped with date/place of entry and noted with correct non-immigrant classification (J-1) and the D/S notation (duration of status).
• Sign DS-2019 form.

4. After passing through Immigration, you will claim your baggage and pass through Customs with your Customs Declaration Form. (If your point of entry is NOT your final destination, you will re-check your baggage after exiting Customs and continue on to your connecting airline flight.)

5. Once you arrive to Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC, an you will be met by an IREX Representative or Fleet Transportation with a sign. You will be taken to the One Washington Circle Hotel for check-in. In most cases, other fellows will be on the same flight as you.

Additional Information about DS-2109 and I-94:
Your DS-2019 form and I-94 card are extremely important documents and are proof that you are in the United States legally. Contact IREX immediately if you lose either form.
Forms DS-2019 and I-94 supersede the date on the visa in your passport

Information on Customs Regulations

• Alcohol and tobacco - Each traveler over 21 years of age may import one liter of spirits or wine and either 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or two kilograms of smoking tobacco.

• Gifts - Each traveler may bring in gift items up to a total of 100 US dollars.  Gifts may not include alcoholic beverages or cigarettes, but they may include up to 100 cigars in addition to the personal allowance of tobacco.

• Narcotics, meats, fruits, vegetables, and plants - None may be imported without special permission.  If you depend on medicines that contain habit-forming drugs, you should keep them in their original containers, if possible, and carry with you a prescription letter or a letter from your physician describing their use.

• Personal effects - You may bring any reasonable amount of personal effects (clothing, toiletries, jewelry), as well as equipment such as sporting goods, cameras, radios, typewriters, bicycles, and cars provided they are for your own use, and you do not intend to sell them in the US. 

• Currency - There are no restrictions on the import of US or foreign currency, but you must file a report with the US Customs Service if you wish to bring more than $10,000 into the United States.

General Information on the United States

Download PDF: US Cultural Gram for International Visitors
This six-page guide will introduce you to general information, people and culture of the United States.

If you have any questions, email elf@irex.org or call Blake Saville at + 1 202 628 8188 x170 or Renee Arigoni at x141.

 

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2008 MENA MEDIA Emerging Leaders Fellowship in Media Management

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2008 Year.

The MENA MEDIA Emerging Leaders Fellowship program equips managers and supervisors in the media field with the skills and tools needed to address media management issues and trends facing the industry in the MENA region. This program is administered by IREX and Community Media Network and supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) at the US Department of State.

The 2008 Emerging Leaders Fellowship selects 15 media managers and supervisors from the MENA region to participate in a media management fellowship in the US for six weeks to enhance their leadership potential and learn alternate strategies and trends of media management. The program consists of a welcome orientation and closing seminar in Washington DC; a three-week, executive training on leadership and media management at Northwestern University’s Media Management Center; and a two-week placement with a US media outlet. The program covers international and domestic travel, accident and sickness insurance, housing, and a daily stipend while in the United States. Women are encouraged to apply.

Northwestern University, located just outside Chicago, Illinois, is one of the most prestigious universities in the country and consistently ranks among the top four universities in the United States for both journalism and business schools. In affiliation with these two schools, the Media Management Center located at the state-of-the art Allen Center offers high-quality executive education courses for media executives in newspaper, magazine, broadcast and new media platforms worldwide.

For three weeks at the Media Management Center, Emerging Leader Fellows enhance their leadership skills and find innovative solutions to the challenges they face in media management. The customized executive training addresses a variety of Media Management-related topics and trends, including: Leadership, Team building, Strategic Planning, Marketing, Advertising, Issues in Electronic Media, Digital and Print Media, Global Best Practices, and Negotiations. Included in the training are simulations where participants strategize real-life media management problems and discuss solutions. For more information visit www.mediamanagementcenter.org.

US Media Host Match provides fellows with the opportunity to experience and learn about the organization and structure of US media outlets. Awarded fellows complete two-week placements at individually assigned US media outlets according their priority issues, experience, and skills. Each match is unique based on the fellow’s expertise and needs of the host outlet, and each participant is matched with a mentor at the outlet to help guide the placement. Fellows complete Work Action Plans to determine how their host outlet experience addresses their home outlet priority issues. Immersion in the US media industry gives fellows a unique opportunity to experience alternate media management methodologies.