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SubscribeIREX Looks to the Future of Education during International Education Week
November 2005
Each year, IREX participates in International Education Week, a joint initiative of the US Department of State and the US Department of Education intended to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange programs. From November 14 through 18, the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) and Education Division will host a series of events about international education. IATP will focus on using technology to transcend national boundaries and share exchange experiences. Events will include a “Virtual Trip to an American High School,” an online chat with alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs comparing American and local educational systems, and seminars on Web resources for English teachers. The Education Division will host activities to encourage student exchange and discuss educational reform initiatives.
IATP and the Education Division of IREX will organize the following activities during International Education Week:
ARMENIA
November 16
IATP will host a national online chat for secondary school teachers at
all IATP access sites in Armenia. The chat will give participants the
opportunity to discuss problems and barriers, brainstorm solutions, share
experiences about newly integrated methodology, and other topics of their
professional interest.
November 18
IATP will organize a seminar for members of student government bodies
from universities in Yerevan at the IATP site. The participants will be
informed of various educational projects and resources available to them
and of ways to utilize these opportunities.
AZERBAIJAN
November 17
ECA alumni will participate in a discussion about strategies for educational
reform in Azerbaijan. The session will be lead by Elmina Kazimzade, director
of the organization, “Innovative Education Center.”
GEORGIA
November 16
The Khashuri IATP center will conduct a seminar on “US Presidential
Periods and Biographies of US Presidents.” Participants will be
exposed to political culture and history of a foreign nation, expanding
their understanding of international relationships and developments.
November 17
IATP will hold a seminar on “Communications via the Internet”
at the University of Kutaisi IATP site. Participants will learn about
e-mail and online chats as tools for connecting with peers from other
countries.
November 17
During a seminar at the Ajarian Republic Library in Batumi, alumni of
US government-sponsored programs will discuss the benefits of international
education. Prospective exchange applicants will have a chance to voice
any concerns and hear first-hand experiences from past participants.
November 18
IATP will organize a chat about US government-sponsored exchange programs
and international education at all IATP access sites in Georgia. This
will enable participants to learn more about the international education
programs available to them.
KAZAKHSTAN
November 14-18
During the International Education Week, the Atyrau IATP site will conduct
two seminars on Web resources available for English language teachers.
This will enhance foreign language learning in secondary schools, equipping
students with linguistic tools for any future exchange.
November 14
A workshop entitled “International Scholarship Search” will
be offered to students seeking to further their education abroad. The
session will provide information about scholarships available worldwide
as well as details about the selection process for the International Scholarship
of the President of RK.
November 16
Students considering studies in the United States are invited to attend
a workshop on “Introduction to the GRE and GMAT.” The workshop
will offer an overview of the exams, share study strategies and teach
test taking tips.
November 17
ECA Alumni will discuss their experiences studying in America with a broad
audience. Topics will include the education system, volunteering, traveling,
etc.
November 18
Flat Stanley will visit students in Kazakhstan and the US. He will begin
his journey November 18.
MOLDOVA
November 17
ECA Alumni who took part in a University Administration Reform conference
in Moscow in September, will present their finding and views at a workshop
entitled, “Case Studies and Models for Higher Education Reform in
Moldova.”
November 18
Liudmila Turcan will conduct a French language class via the Web from
the Chisinau IATP site. The participants will learn about new Web resources
as well as acquire new language skills.
RUSSIA
November 14-18
ECA Alumni will visit secondary schools in Moscow and Vladivostok to share
their experiences and impressions from studying in the United States.
They will emphasize the importance of learning foreign languages and participating
in international programs.
November 18
In cooperation with American Corner and the Samara Oblast Research Library,
ECA Alumni will meet with local government and NGO leaders to discuss
the current status of educational reform in Samara region.
TAJIKISTAN
November 14
A chat on educational exchange opportunities is scheduled at all IATP
access sites in Tajikistan. Alumni of US government-sponsored exchange
programs are going to be available to discuss their experiences and the
advantages and drawbacks of international exchange as well as answer any
questions from prospective participants and their teachers and parents.
November 16
Several US government-sponsored exchange program alumni will conduct a
presentation comparing several foreign educational systems and discuss
their experiences as participants in exchange programs, particularly those
in the United States. The presentation will be held at the IATP access
site in Dushanbe.
TURKMENISTAN
November 14
A program presentation for college students is scheduled at the Ashgabat
IATP center. The presentation will be run by UGRAD and MUSKIE coordinator
Murad Saryyev, who will discuss international exchange opportunities in
the United States for Turkmen college students.
November 15
The Alumni Resource Center will organize a “Pen Pals” program,
which is an initiative to connect US and Turkmenistan high school students.
In the long run, the program hopes to create cultural and educational
connection and understanding between the youth of both nations.
November 17
Alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs will deliver a presentation
on “The Impact of Alumni in the Community,” at the Ashgabat
IATP access site. Addressing an audience of prospective exchange program
participants, presenters will share their successes in Turkmenistan upon
returning from their international education experiences.
November 17
ECA Alumni will give a presentation on the US education system and how
to make the most of an international exchange opportunity.
November 17
The IATP access site in Balkanabat has scheduled a presentation on “International
Student’s Day,” about various exchange opportunities available
to local youth.
November 18
Also at the Balkanabat site, Lida Chikalova will deliver a talk about
her life in the United States as an exchange student to an audience of
prospective program participants.
November 17 and 18
A competition called “Virtual Trip to American High School,”
is going to take place at the Turkmenabat IATP site. During the competition,
teams of Turkmenistani high school students will collect information on
US high schools and create online presentations.
UKRAINE
November 16
Alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs will connect for a
national chat at all of Ukraine’s IATP access sites. Topics such
as grants and exchange program information available on the web as well
as the benefits of exchange will be discussed.
November 17
IATP will host a seminar on distance learning at the IATP site in Kyiv.
During the seminar, participants will discuss the benefits of international
education and application of new skills and knowledge in domestic educational
settings.
November 17
Ernesto Borchini, a Peace Corps volunteer in Lutsk, will conduct an informational
session on studies, testing, and grants in the United States at the local
IATP access site. Students of Lutsk secondary schools and universities
are invited to come and learn about opportunities available to them as
well as to voice any questions and concerns as prospective exchange program
participants.
November 17
The Vinnystsya IATP access site will conduct a seminar for prospective
exchange students. The participants will be able to learn about Web resources
concerning studying abroad.
November 17
A similar seminar will be conducted at the IATP access site in Ivano-Frankivsk.
Participants will learn how to locate information on exchange programs
and find the right fit for their interests and requirements.
November 18
Another chat for alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs will
be held at all IATP sites in Ukraine. During this online chat, the participants
will compare American and Ukrainian educational systems and discuss the
benefits and drawbacks of each system.
November 18
Alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, Peace Corps volunteers,
and teachers at Lutsk secondary schools are scheduled to hold a roundtable
discussion on “Problems and Perspectives of International Education
Integration.”
December 11
ECA Alumni who took part in a University Administration Reform conference
in Moscow in September, will present their finding and views at a workshop
entitled, “Case Studies and Models for Higher Education Reform in
Ukraine.”
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