The Light - An Alumni Publication Fall 2014 | Page 15

NEW & NOTEWORTHY INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK, NOV. 17-21 International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States. THE 6 THINGS YOU LEARN FROM HOSTING A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT Written by TODAY Contributor and YFU host mother, Alexandra Rockey Fleming, this article gives insight into the wonderful learning experiences inherent in intercultural exchange and features anecdotes from a number of YFU host families. RECONNECTING WITH OUR ROOTS: CHALLENGES FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE Interested in post-conflict peacebuilding, Jason Terry discovers international exchange is “perhaps one of the greatest conflict prevention undertakings ever conceived: simply helping people from around the world connect with one another.” SEEING VALUE IN ‘GAP YEARS,’ TUFTS UNIVERSITY OFFERS TO PAY When Gregory Kristoff graduated high school in 2010, he opted not to start college immediately. Instead, he spent the better part of a year studying Chinese in Beijing and then Dalian, China. Then he went to Peru — and then, after a full year of such gallivanting, he began his freshman year at Harvard. Read his story in Newsweek. GAP YEAR ALUMNI Did you take a Gap Year – defined roughly as a break from formal education? If so, you likely experienced long-reaching and positive outcomes from your experience. Please participate in the largestreaching Gap Year survey of North American “Gappers.” All responses are confidential and you will be entered to win a $50 gift card from Amazon to thank you for your time. Courtesy of Alexandra Fleming THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMS Are you interested in contributing to research on the effects of intercultural exchange? If so, please complete the linked PDF survey and return to [email protected]. Responses will be compiled and presented at the annual conference of The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). VIRTUAL STUDENT FOREIGN SERVICE Are you an American college student? Do you want to intern for the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government agencies, but can’t come to Washington, D.C.? Then the VSFS may be for you. YFU • The Light | 15