INTERNATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY:
Interested in traveling to put into practice what you have read about on this site? Do you have a student who is passionate about exploring the world outside your hometown? Here are some organizations and programs that promote educational travel and exchange as a viable method for increasing global competence for students and educators. Do not let finances scare you away- there are many creative ways to raise funds to participate in programs, and some are even free! Feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] for ideas about making these trips possible!
PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS:
Rotary Youth Exchange: https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/exchange-ideas/youth-exchanges
At the age of 17, I embarked on a year-long exchange program to Argentina through Rotary International- a year that literally changed my life!
AFS:
http://www.afsusa.org/
AFS is another well-established organization that has been promoting short and long term exchanges for decades.
Global Works Travel: https://www.globalworkstravel.com/
PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS:
Teachers for Global Classrooms: https://www.irex.org/project/teachers-global-classrooms-program-tgc
Sponsored by the US Department of State, this prestigious program combines a rigorous online preparation course, a symposium in Washington DC, and an international field experience in selected countries.
National Geographic Grosvenor Fellowship: http://nationalgeographic.org/education/programs/grosvenor-teacher-fellowship/
This program recognizes teachers committed to geographic education by providing them with an experience to travel onboard a National Geographic expedition to bring new awareness to their classrooms, schools and communities.
Fund for Teachers: www.fundforteachers.org
FFT provides educators with the opportunity to create, develop and implement personalized professional development as an individual or with a colleague. Projects are funded to enable teachers to seek out learning opportunities on a domestic and international level.
Fulbright Programs:
http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/
The Fulbright Program has a number of projects that teachers from around the world can participate in to learn about global citizenship and other topics. Fulbright programs are sponsored by the US Department of State.
Global Exploration for Educators Organization:
www.geeo.orghttp://www.geeo.org
GEEO creates travel excursions for teachers that encourage learning about a new place and how to incorporate that new experience into classrooms back in the US.
Local Resources
Jersey City, NJ is located a mere mile from New York City, a base for several organizations and resources that promote and support global education. Here is a small taste of the opportunities located close to where I teach. Even if you are not in the NYC Metro area, I hope that these will be a resource for educators to connect to organizations in their own regions.
Global Education Coalition NYC: https://gecnyc.wordpress.com/
The Global Education Coalition is a network of NYC-based organizations whose primary objective is to support educators in the New York metropolitan area in creating globally competent youth for tomorrow's future.
Asia Society Center for Global Education: http://asiasociety.org/education/center-global-education
Perhaps the leading organization on global education, the Asia Society provides online resources, education and workshops to develop global competencies as educators and therefore enabling us to provide our students with the necessary framework for understanding globalization.
The United Nations: www.un.org
New York City is home to the headquarters of the United Nations. Visiting and touring is an inspirational experience to understand how the 193 member states work together to make our world a better place.
Kean University's School for Global Education is a resource for New Jersey teachers to take workshops on technology and to develop other skills that will be useful for teaching in a global context. Many of the programs introduce and incorporate innovative learning technologies.
http://cie.kean.edu/
Reach the World makes the benefits of travel accessible to classrooms, inspiring students to become curious, confident global citizens. Enabled by our digital platform, K-12 classrooms and volunteer travelers explore the world together.
http://www.reachtheworld.org
Unit Plan