Monthly Archives: December 2018

International Education Week and a “Sort of” Thanksgiving – November 2018

We had an important week last month in the year of a J-1 visa exchange – IEW was Nov 13-17!

This taken from the Department of State link:
International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences. Learn more about it here:


https://eca.state.gov/programs-and-initiatives/initiatives/international-education-week

In light of this IEW, our cluster event was about how best to share our cultures. Thanksgiving itself was the celebrations of two cultures getting to know more about one another, starting from common ground with the most basic of human needs. Food!  Nearly 40 au pairs brought money, flags, stories of their sisters and grandmothers, and many other items that represented home to them.  And one au pair from Brazil shared how she shared – her tips and tricks for the Global Awareness presentations that APIA supports and encourages.  Thank you, Danielle!

Mutual respect for diversity and this inclusive community are inspirational to watch in action.  That, after all, is the heart of the Thanksgiving holiday…