BTL 2012 FAQ for International Students

How do I apply to the program?

If you are a student and citizen of one of the following participating countries, contact the Cultural Affairs Office at the American Embassy in your country for information on how to apply.
BTL Russia: Russia
BTL Arabic: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories (West Bank, Gaza), Tunisia

What exactly are you looking for in a student?

First and foremost, we want someone who is passionate about creative writing. Some of us have been writing ever since we first understood what a story or poem was. In the writing samples we want to see what best represents you as a writer today. Given our belief that in order to write, you have to read, we expect you to be an avid reader as well. You don't necessarily have to have received top marks in your literature or English classes, nor will we make you quote Emily Dickinson or Anton Chekhov at will. Since you will be spending a lot of time with fellow students, teachers and staff from different countries and cultures, it's very important that you be open to learning about the many different ways people live in the world and willing to share your own life experiences and unique point of view. Our ultimate goal is to create a community of friends that will continue to support each other in their creative efforts long after they have all gone home.

How old do I have to be to participate?

You must be between the ages of 16 and 19 as of June 30, 2012 (for BTL Russia) or July 14, 2012 (for BTL Arabic). No exceptions can be made to this rule.

Do I have to know another language to participate?

All students, both American and international, must be proficient in English in all forms (reading, writing and speaking). International students are also required to submit writing samples in both English and their native language (Russian or Arabic). Students will be placed in language-specific writing workshops depending on the strength of their samples.

I want to apply to BTL Arabic as an international student, but I do not live in any of the countries listed for 2012. Can I still apply?

Each year the State Department, which funds Between the Lines, determines which countries' American embassies will be invited to submit nominees. For 2012, the participating countries are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories (West Bank, Gaza), and Tunisia. Only citizens of those countries are allowed to apply, and they must apply via the American Embassy. That said, if you are a citizen of one of the countries listed, but you do not reside in that country, contact the American Embassy in your country of citizenship to see if you qualify.

I want to apply to BTL Russia as an international student, but I do not live in Russia. Can I still apply?

Only Russian citizens can apply to BTL Russia as international students. If you have Russian citizenship, contact the American Embassy in Moscow to see if you qualify.

How do you select students for the program?

There is a multistep process involved. First, a selection committee reviews all applications and supplemented materials. Selected students are then asked to participate in a short interview with a member of the committee or embassy staff either in person, by phone, or online (Skype). From there, the final group of participants is determined.

When will you notify applicants about your decision?

Applicants will be notified in late March or early April.

In my writing sample, can I include the same story and/or poem in two different languages?

No. Each work submitted should be original and untranslated.

Can I include essays, school newspaper articles, or blog entries in my writing sample?

If your blog entry contains original fiction and/or poetry, then yes, it can be included. Otherwise, we are only interested in reading your original fiction and/or poetry.

How much does it cost to attend?

For accepted international students, all fees, including travel, lodging and meals, are paid. As required by the State Department, students will travel with an adult chaperone, hired by the International Writing Program, on the transcontinental flight to and from the United States. BTL Russia students will leave from Moscow. BTL Arabic students will leave from a city or cities to be determined.

Is there financial aid available?

For accepted international students, no additional financial aid is available.

Where will students live?

Students will live in a dorm on the University of Iowa campus. Dorms are clean, comfortable, well-lit, and very secure. Doors are locked each night and security personnel visit each floor regularly. A residence hall manager is available 24 hours a day. Students will be on floors separated by gender, and will live in double rooms. Also living with the students will be counselors, who are hired by the program and undergo background checks and University training. They help maintain a fun but safe environment.

I have relatives in the Iowa City area. Can I reside with them during the program?

No. Between the Lines requires all participants to live in the dorm for the duration of the program.

What happens if there's a health concern or emergency?

If a student falls ill or is injured, they will be taken to the appropriate UI Hospitals and Clinics facility. All costs are the responsibility of the students and/or parents. In order to participate, students and parents must sign a set of forms that include basic health information as well as emergency contact and consent information, all of which is kept strictly confidential.

International students will receive basic health coverage through the State Department. This coverage is not all-inclusive. The American Embassy contact in your country will have more information.

Do you offer college credit for this program or the courses taken?

No.

What will a typical weekday be like?

After breakfast (all meals are served in Burge Dining Hall, which is near the dorm), students and staff will meet to receive announcements about the day's events. Afterwards, all students will attend a world literature seminar, taught in English, in which they will discuss various prose pieces and poetry with an eye towards craft: How do these writers do what they do and how can we as writers learn from them? Lunch is followed by a short period of free time during which students can rest, hang out, or prepare for the next class. The remainder of the afternoon is taken up by a writing workshop, in which students will try their hand at writing various forms of prose and poetry and share their work with each other. There are two workshops: one for students writing in English and one for students writing in a different language (Russian, Arabic). After the workshop, instructors are available to talk with students about their work. Evenings will consist of at least one activity scheduled by program staff, which may or may not be optional. Most evenings students will have plenty of free time to read, write, use the computer, or explore the campus and nearby downtown.

All students are required to be in the dorm building by 10:00 pm, on their floors by 11:00 pm, and in their rooms by 11:30 pm. This rule is in effect every day of the program, including weekends.

Can I switch between writing workshops?

No. However, part of what makes this program unique is that there will be a mix of languages spoken and written, and you are strongly encouraged to share and explore them with your classmates as well as the instructors and staff.

Do you offer writing workshops in languages other than English, Russian and Arabic?

Not at this time, no. We hope to expand our language offerings and outreach in the future, though!

What can you tell me about the instructors in the program?

For BTL Russia, the instructors are Alan Cherchesov and Camille T. Dungy. For BTL Arabic, the instructors are Iman Humaydan and Marcus Jackson.

Alan Cherchesov (Russia) Alan CHERCHESOV has published the novels Requiem for Living (1994; and, in English, Northwestern University Press, 2005), [Wreath for the Grave of the Wind (2000)], and [Villa Belle-Lettre (2005)], in addition to numerous short stories. He was an IWP resident in 2010, during which time he finished his latest novel, [Don Ivan (2012)]. His translation of Joseph Wambaugh’s The New Centurions appeared in 1992. Cherchesov is the president of the Institute of Civilization, a private educational institute in Vladikavkaz, in North Ossetia. The recipient of a number of literary prizes, he was a finalist for the 2001 and 2006 Russian Booker Awards. His novel [Don Ivan] has been nominated for Russia's Big Book Award.

Camille Dungy (USA) Camille T. DUNGY is author of Smith Blue, Suck on the Marrow, and What to Eat, What to Drink, What to Leave for Poison. She is editor of Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry, co-editor of From the Fishouse: An Anthology of Poems that Sing, Rhyme, Resound, Syncopate, Alliterate, and Just Plain Sound Great, and assistant editor of Gathering Ground: A Reader Celebrating Cave Canem’s First Decade. Her honors include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Cave Canem, and Bread Loaf, the 2011 American Book Award, a silver medal in the 2011 California Book Award, two Northern California Book Awards, and NAACP Image Award nominations. Dungy is currently a professor in the Creative Writing Department at San Francisco State University. Her poems and essays have been published widely in anthologies and print and online journals. http://www.camilledungy.com/

Iman Humaydan (Lebanon) Iman HUMAYDAN is the founder of ARRAWI, a nonprofit center for marginalized youth in Lebanon. Her short stories, essays, and journalism have appeared in German, Swiss, French, and Arab newspapers and magazines. Her first two novels, B Mithl Beit (B as in Beirut) and Toot Barri (Wild Mulberries) have been published in French, German, and English, in addition to Arabic. Her third novel, Hayawat Okhra (Other Lives) was published in 2010, and will be released in German and French translations this year. Humaydan co-wrote the screenplay for "Chatti ya Deni" ("Here Comes the Rain"), which won first prize at the 2010 Dubai Film Festival, and co-wrote the script for a documentary on the late Arab diva Asmahan. She edited the creative writing textbook Kitabat alkitabah (2010). In addition, Humaydan has worked on post-war issues in Lebanon and conducted research on forced disappearances during the Lebanese civil war. She taught at Between the Lines in 2008 and 2010, and was an IWP resident in 2011.

Marcus Jackson (USA) Marcus JACKSON was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. After earning his BA at the University of Toledo, he continued his poetry studies in NYU's graduate creative writing program and as a Cave Canem fellow. His poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Harvard Review, and The Cincinnati Review, among many other publications. His chapbook, Rundown, was published by Aureole Press in 2009. His debut full-length collection of poems, entitled Neighborhood Register, was recently released. Marcus lives with his wife in Nashville and teaches at Middle Tennessee State University.

Between the Lines

Application/selection process

Tuition and fees

Life during BTL

Classes and schedule