Resources for Veteran’s Day – November 11, 2022

Many schools show their respect for the veterans in their community by holding a recognition ceremony or event honoring the service of local veterans. AFS-USA was founded by veterans who first served as ambulance drivers in World War I and II. They believed that we can create a more just and peaceful world through building cross cultural relationships, one student, family, and friendship at a time.

In recognition of veterans on Friday, November 11, 2022, we’d like to share with you a series of first-hand accounts depicting daily life as AFS ambulance drivers. We hope these World War I Diaries help provide a useful resource for your students in learning about the realities of our shared past.

​​​​The American Field Service volunteer ambulance corps also served during World War II rescuing and transporting soldiers, civilians, and prisoners of war. During their respite, many of these partook intercultural experiences that gave rise to the post-war work of AFS as an intercultural exchange organization. We hope the photos and stories from Frederick “Fred” and his brother Robert “Bob” Balderston help you and your students learn more about both times of war and moments of leisure that inspired 75 years of international exchange.

 

 

Resources for International Education Week – Nov. 14-18, 2022

What is International Education Week (IEW)? IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State that celebrates the benefits of global learning and international exchange. From November 14 – 18, schools, universities, businesses, and other intercultural organizations are encouraged to participate and collaborate to bring the world to American students.

 

Plymouth High School exchange students on their Homecoming float

 

Throughout International Education Week (IEW), we encourage you to tap into the AFS exchange students in your school or district and encourage them to present and share about their countries and cultures in your classroom and school. We’re highlighting Plymouth High School (Wisconsin) who has Spain, Greece, Switzerland, Slovakia, Israel, North Macedonia, and Germany represented on their Homecoming float and their students will learn about those countries this year and through presentations during IEW. Send pictures of AFS students presenting in your classroom this year to [email protected].

 

Educator Meet & Greet: India

Kick off International Education Week by connecting with an educator from India. Teachers from Social Studies, Math, Science, and English have all registered in India to meet you and find ways to collaborate on a project, a discussion or with pen pals or video exchanges. There are numerous possibilities of how you can work together. Join us for a one hour Zoom meeting and walk away with a new colleague (or a few) from India. Register in advance to attend Monday, November 14 at 8:00pm Eastern / 5:00pm Pacific time. ​​​​​​

AFS Effect+ for the Classroom

US Teachers are invited to apply for the AFS Effect+ Capacity building virtual teacher training program. Educators who are granted a scholarship to participate will be part of a global cohort of educators who will explore world views and cultures, build connections with educators abroad, experience new styles of teaching, and earn a certificate upon completion that can be used in most states toward license renewal. Learn more and apply today! 

 

Holiday Matching Game

Keep your students engaged this semester and spark their curiosity with our new Holiday Matching Game! In this quick and easy lesson, students will learn about how some of the end-of-year holidays are celebrated around the world, including Hanukkah, Kings Day, and New Years to name a few. Though this initial version does not cover all cultural holidays, blank cards have been included so that you may personalize the game with holiday facts relevant to your local community or content area. We’d love to hear your feedback to know if we should prepare an expansion pack for the spring!

2023 Global Educator and Global School Awards – Nominate a colleague or your school today! 

Do you have a colleague that brings the world to their classroom? AFS-USA is seeking nominations for the 2023 AFS-USA Global Educator and Global School Awards. The winners will travel to Alexandria, VA in March 2023 to receive their award in person. You can nominate yourself, a colleague, or your school! To learn more about both awards and to submit a nomination, please visit our global awards webpage. Nominations will be accepted through December 11, 2022, but early submissions are best! Completed applications are due on December 18, 2022!

Oconomowoc High School was the 2022 AFS-USA Global School Award Winner

Opportunities for Students, Parents, and Educators

AFS-USA is providing a webinar for students, their parents, and educators about scholarships to study abroad, programs for the year and for the summer, as well as how to get involved in bringing international education to your community. You are invited to join us for a one-hour Zoom meeting on Monday, November 14 at 6:30pm Eastern / 3:30pm Pacific time. Please register in advance here.

 

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)

A program of the U.S. Department of State, the CBYX program provides scholarships for eligible American high school students and recent graduates to spend an academic year of study and cultural immersion in Germany! The CBYX program is accepting applications for the 2023-24 program through December 1, 2022. Encourage students to start their application HERE.

 

 

Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad

A program of the U.S. Department of State, the YES Abroad program provides scholarships for eligible American high school students and recent graduates to live with host families and attend a local high school for an academic year in countries like Egypt, Ghana, India, Senegal, Thailand, Turkey and more. Applications are being accepted through December 7, 2022. Encourage students to apply HERE.

National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)

A program of the U.S. Department of State, the NSLI-Y program provides scholarships for eligible American high school students and recent graduates to learn one of eight critical languages: Persian, Indonesian, Hindi, Turkish, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, Korean, and Arabic! Applications for 2024 summer and academic year programs will open in fall 2023.

 

If you’ve made it to this point in the newsletter, we know you are an educator dedicated to intercultural and global learning. This year, AFS-USA is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of student exchanges. We’re looking for all of those heartwarming stories that showcase the impact of AFS in our schools across the U.S. The educator who submits the most touching AFS story will receive an AFS-themed gift mailed to them at their school and the story will be highlighted in the January Global Educator newsletter!

As always, let us know how we can support your classroom needs for Veterans Day, International Education Week, and beyond! We know fall is a busy time in schools and thank you for all that you do for every student!

Sincerely,

Jill Woerner
Director of Educational Outreach
AFS-USA, Inc.
E: [email protected]
P: (646) 381-3309

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