In light of the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from students and educators, IREX is now making available its Cultural Passport to America to schools, colleges, and universities. The Cultural Passport to America offers educators the ability to facilitate and track American cultural experiences along with their visiting international students. In place of foreign visa and border stamps, students acquire activity stamps representing the diverse experiences they participate in..
Originally developed by IREX for use with the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, the Cultural Passport is both a learning tool and a way to encourage international students to immerse themselves broadly in American culture. It features passport pages for six different aspects of American life—arts & music, holiday celebrations, sports & leisure, community life, daily life, and local pride—and areas on each page for educators to stamp students’ Cultural Passports after completing activities in each category.
Through the experiences that the Cultural Passport promotes, students gain a varied, firsthand understanding of American life and values and are encouraged to discuss them with their peers. The Cultural Passport focuses on key elements that define American life, and the activities will encourage students to diversify and deepen their understanding of America.
The Cultural Passport offers ideas for both individual and group activities, giving educators the flexibility to plan events or allow students to take the initiative themselves.
IREX Cultural Passports are available for purchase in sets of 50 for $350.00 per set, which includes shipping and handling. Further information can be obtained by contacting IREX Program Associate Nate Stopper at nstopper@irex.org [6].
If you are interested in purchasing a set of Cultural Passports, payment is accepted by check only. Please make the check payable to “IREX,” and mail it to::
ATTN: Aimee Clancy (Cultural Passport Program)
IREX
Suite 700
2121 K St. NW
Washington DC, 20037
