I hope to extend my family to several different countries in the world. Because every time we get another exchange student they will become part of our family, so when they go back to their home country they will be extending my family to that country as well. This is the best way to visit other countries without ever having to leave America
Promote Cultural Exchange
In addition to ACES programs and events, you can get involved to promote international cultural and educational exchange through following organizations and events.
International Education Week 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 in the United States. For many ACES students, IEW is one of the most memorable educational experiences of their year in America. This year’s IEW will take place November 14-18, 2011.
Global Youth Service Day Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning. Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world, and the only day of service dedicated to children and youth. GYSD is celebrated each year in over 100 countries, and is a rewarding experience for many ACES students. This year’s GYSD will take place April 15-17, 2011.
US Center for Citizen Diplomacy The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy promotes opportunities for all Americans to be citizen diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in international relations. The website provides a forum to share stories of citizen diplomacy, find future opportunities to serve, and gives schools access to resources to develop a citizen diplomacy curriculum for their students.
Sister Cities International Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between United States and international communities. Currently more than 2,000 cities, states and counties are partnered in 136 countries around the world. In cooperation with ACES, Sister Cities members can nominate and sponsor high school students from their sister city to live with an American host family and study at an American high school for a semester or academic year.
Smithsonian Folkways Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. They are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials, Smithsonian Folkways seeks to strengthen people's engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.