BURUNDI-MONTANA and MARYLAND : Burundi' First Humphrey Fellow

Burundian journalist Audace Machado has been named Burundi's first ever Hubert Humphrey Fellow. He will participate in a journalism program at the University of Maryland for 10 months following an intensive English program at the University of Montana.

This is the first year that Burundi has been eligible to participate in the program which each year brings approximately 200 Fellows to American universities. The Fellowship Program provides young and mid-career professionals from designated countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia with an opportunity to enhance their professional capacities through participation in specialized 10-month non-degree programs developed specifically for Humphrey Fellows.

Machado, an award-winning journalist from Isanganiro Radio, was among seven Burundians nominated by the American Embassy in Bujumbura for the program following a lengthy selection process. More than 150 Burundians applied to participate in the program and seven were chosen as finalists in different disciplines. The U.S. State Department makes the final determination from candidates from around the world. Each topic area selects only 20 to 25 fellows. Additional Burundian finalists may still be selected to participate this year.


The Humphrey Program was launched in 1978 to honor the memory and accomplishments of the late U.S. Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. During their 10-month stay at a host American university, Humphrey Fellows are invited to take graduate courses relevant to their professional interests. However, as the Humphrey Fellowship is not a degree program, participants spend a considerable portion of their time engaged in professional development activities including: consultations and affiliations with U.S. faculty and experts, field trips, workshops, research projects and the development of practical useful strategies that could be applied in the Fellows' home countries.


To learn more about the program, visit http://burundi.usembassy.gov/humphrey.html. The application process for 2014 will begin in July 2013 with information programs.