Exchange Voice

Sun, 05/13/2012 - 11:13

While studying at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, Global UGRAD-Pakistan student Sikandar became actively engaged in community improvement work, raising funds for the local Putnam County Habitat. Now, he is busy volunteering to help children with disabilities in his home community in Pakistan.

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:45

Last summer, CENET: Cultural Exchange Network placed Chinese summer work travel participant Yang Xiaoyu in Healy, Alaska. Yang sent CENET a message near the end of his 2011 program:

Tue, 04/17/2012 - 13:42

Raisa and Vladimir
2011 Department of State Summer Work Travel program
Placement: Ithaca, NY
Current City: Chisinau, Moldova
Occupation: Students

Raisa and Vladimir are getting their master’s degrees in Banking Management and are preparing for their wedding. Even though they are both from Moldova, they met in the U.S. in 2007 when they participated for the first time in the Department of State' Summer Work Travel program.

Tue, 04/10/2012 - 09:57

In July of 2009, Jhessy embarked on a journey from Brazil to the U.S. to be an au pair on the Au Pair in America program. A one year commitment may have seemed daunting then, but little did she know she would have such a great year with her host family in New York that she would extend with them for an additional 9 months!

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 07:42

Each year, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program selects five of its German participants to complete six-week congressional internships on Capitol Hill.

Below, 2010-2011 CBYX participant and native Oyten, Germany, Sarah-Christin Stech, reflects on her experience serving as an intern in the office of Kentucky Congressman Geoff Davis:

Fri, 04/06/2012 - 11:28

When participating in the Communicating for Agriculture Education Programs (CAEP), British Enology trainee Glenn Mitton turned his interest in the wine industry into an unforgettably unique educational experience.

From vine to bottle, Glenn learned it all at JUSTIN Winery in Paso Robles, California.

Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:32

Megan, an American Youth Leadership Program with Japan participant, recently helped host a cultural festival at her high school in Beaverton, Oregon. The event was part of a culminating project for the AYLP, which took 30 high school students and three teachers from across the U.S. to Tokyo and Niigata for three weeks in the summer of ‘11. The final stage of this program challenges participants to implement educational and service projects which highlight the learning that took place during their exchange into their schools and communities.

Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:18

Sean McKnight, a Hermitage, PA, native, was one of 30 high school students from across the United States to participate in the inaugural American Youth Leadership Program with Japan:Japan-America Watershed Stewardship project (AYLP:JAWS). Below Sean reflects on the impact this intercultural experience has had on him.

Most memorable part of your three weeks spent in Japan

Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:04

Nancy Wilkin, a Bath, PA, native and high school chemistry teacher, was one of three educators from across the United States to participate in the inaugural American Youth Leadership Program with Japan:Japan-America Watershed Stewardship project. Below Nancy reflects on the impact this intercultural experience has had both personally and professionally.         

Most memorable part of your three weeks spent in Japan and why?      

Thu, 03/08/2012 - 17:21

Desislava
2011 Department of State Summer Work Travel program
Placement: Put-in-Bay, OH 
Current City: Sofia, Bulgaria
Occupation: 4th year student, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, University of National and World Economy

“The first year of my Work and Travel experience was 2008. I knew about the program from friends of mine and visiting the USA was one of my dreams ….. The Work and Travel program gave me the opportunity to make it come true :-)