US Students Blog Exchange Trip to Turkmenistan

Two Hatboro-Horsham High School students, Anna Rubenstein and Kenny Pallis, along with the school’s Instructional Technology Specialist James Shield, were chosen to travel to Turkmenistan this summer as part of an exchange funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and administered by IREX. The three exchange participants experienced Turkmen culture firsthand, living with a host family, promoting cross-cultural communication and the effective use of technology, and developing a solid relationship with fellow teachers and students in Turkmenistan.

While in Turkmenistan, the exchange participants conducted training sessions on lesson planning, educational technology, the successful use of interactive teaching methodologies, and incorporating technology into students’ extracurricular activities. The participants also worked with their hosts on joint lesson plans and activities, and developing projects that promote online exchange between students in both countries. Additionally, the teacher and students gave presentations and showcased a documentary they created about life and culture in the United States. Upon returning home, the exchange team is now developing a schedule of proposed activities for collaboration with their partner schools and provide written coverage of their trip through both an evaluation form and through participation in an online follow-up session.

To view Anna, Kenny, and Jim’s blog and to follow their journey, please go to: www.turkmenadventure.blogspot.com.

Along with IREX staff, the three participants were featured on Turkmen television. The exchange participants spoke about their experiences in Turkmenistan, the training they conducted, what they have learned, and their impressions of the country, culture, and its people. The television clip was covered on two channels, Altyn Asyr and Turkmenistan, which are broadcast throughout the country. A copy of the broadcast is available online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-u_O2e6Fc.