We are pleased to share iEARN-USA’s Impact Update for Summer 2019, which shares highlights from our recent activities, programming and partnerships. Read on or view the printable PDF version of the Impact Update.
iEARN Global Projects and Program Highlights
U.S. and Moroccan Students Build Friendships through Blended Exchange
In Spring 2019, 24 high school seniors from Ithaca, NY, traveled to Rabat, Morocco, to meet their Moroccan partners with whom they had collaborated with for a year. Through their participation in the “My Identity, Your Identity” project, students exchanged on a range of topics exploring their heritage and culture, including holidays, local landmarks, food and traditions. Students also connected through videoconferencing every two weeks as part of their project. By combining both virtual exchange and physical exchange experiences, students were able to engage in deep and meaningful conversations and connections with their peers. Read the full exchange story.
Preparing Educators to Globalize their Classes
In the Spring edition of the iEARN Online Educator Course, offered in partnership with iEARN-USA and Partners of the Americas, 27 teachers from 16 countries learned how to integrate global projects into their teaching practice while addressing local education standards. The teachers in the course collaborated with one another in two languages (English and Portuguese) and prepared to participate in a virtual exchange project with their classes. Learn more about the course outcomes and impact.
iEARN Students and Girl Rising Project Featured in The New York Times
Participating in the iEARN Girl Rising project provides 16-year-old Jennifer Sanchez an opportunity to explore and take action on global issues in her class. Her virtual exchange project was led by Allen Witten, a teacher at Sunburst Youth Academy and an iEARN Global Education Ambassador. Read the article now on nytimes.com.
Celebrating the Power of International Exchange
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Program
iEARN-USA supported 25 students who completed their 2018-2019 academic year programs in Korea and Taiwan, as well as hosted a pre-departure orientation for 120 students who are currently on summer programs in India, Morocco, Korea and Taiwan.
In addition, iEARN-USA staff hosted two virtual events connecting U.S. Hindi and Arabic classrooms with NSLI-Y on-program students. www.nsliy-interactive.org
“Studying abroad changed the direction of my Life”
Simone, a NSLI-Y program alumna, studied for an academic year in Korea. During her program year, Simone was part of the documentary, “The Smartest Kids In The World,†based off the New York Times best-selling book of the same name. The film captured her program year, and that of four other students on exchanges around the world. Simone is currently a rising Junior at the University of Albany’s Honors College studying Business Marketing and Management with a minor in the Korean language. In addition she serves as a student assistant at the Center for International Education and Global Strategy, and volunteers weekly as a teaching assistant for adult learners interested in the Korean language.
Kennedy Lugar Youth Engage and Study (YES) Program
200 students from eight countries (Bangladesh, Cameroon, Israel (Arab Communities), Mali, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Liberia) participated through iEARN YES programs in the U.S. during the 2018-2019 school year.
In May 2019, the iEARN-USA YES program team held a “YES for the Environment” webinar with guest speakers from around the world that shared their expertise on how to make environmental projects more sustainable. www.yesprograms.org
“Honestly, it all began with YES!”
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury is a YES program alumna and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activist from Bangladesh, with a vision to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for everyone. She has been honored widely for her activism initiatives, and most recently, Shomy has been recognized for her efforts in humanitarian work by the The Diana Award, the highest accolade a young person can achieve, for continuing Princess Diana’s legacy.
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