The United States-Timor-Leste Scholarship Program (USTL) is proud to announce the arrival of its three newest 2019 fellows: Emilia Moreira Moniz, attending Fox Valley Technical College; Alfredo Vandeling Mau, attending Southeast Missouri State University; and Maria Lucia Da Silva, attending the College of Southern Idaho. The fellows will attend their respective host universities and community colleges for two to four years of academic study, culminating in either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.

This year’s finalists were selected from over 200 applicants, marking another competitive year for the USTL Program. They represent a diverse set of skills and career paths, and will be pursuing such in-demand fields as public health, social work, and hospitality management, respectively.

Prior to flying out to their respective host communities, the finalists attended a three-day orientation in Washington, DC beginning on August 7. The orientation was held at the office of American Councils for International Education, the USTL Program administrator, and consisted of sessions on higher education in the U.S., money management, cross-cultural communication, and U.S. State Department exchanges. The participants also had the opportunity to tour various monuments and buildings in DC and take part in a welcome event with American Councils staff.

In addition to receiving full funding to pursue their degrees, the finalists receive roundtrip airfare to and from Timor-Leste at the end and beginning of each academic year, meal plans, insurance, textbook stipends, and monthly living stipends.

To apply for the USTL scholarship, interested applicants must submit an application, available either electronically through the USTL website ( https://ustlscholarship.org/ ) or via hard copy. An official announcement of the 2020 USTL application release will be made via the USTL website and the USTL Facebook page.

Congratulations and welcome to the new 2019 USTL cohort!