International Summer Opportunities for Educators

Visiting a foreign country and meeting new friends can be life changing experiences. If you have a break this summer, why not take advantage of one of the many international professional development and travel abroad opportunities? This issue of Global Updates highlights a sample of summer institutes or courses, international service learning opportunities, and international study tours.

Summer Institutes, Workshops, Courses & Conferences (US-based)

Connecting Civics and Science: Inspiring NC Youth to Address Global Warming
Learn strategies for integrating curricula while teaching your students about local links to global warming. Participants will receive curriculum materials correlated to the NC Standard Course of Study, up to 1.9 license renewal credits, $150 stipend, lodging and meals, and access to local government officials and climate change experts. Note this program is only open to high school civic and science teachers in Avery, Bertie, Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, and Forsyth Counties. An application and additional information are available at cf.unc.edu/cep/erp/registration/june2007/index.cfm or contact Dana Haine at (919) 843-5735 or dhaine@unc.edu
Dates: June 26-27, 2007
Location: UNC School of Government, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: none

Facing the Future Summer Institute: It’s All Connected: Integrating Global Issues & Sustainability Across the Curriculum
This summer institute is for educators from traditional and non-traditional classroom settings. Educators will learn strategies for teaching environmental education topics effectively in their classrooms. Topics will include curriculum design and inquiry-based learning; using community mapping techniques in the classroom; ecological field studies; laboratory investigations in environmental science; designing computer simulations using systems modeling software; place-based community education strategies; environmental literature as a teaching tool, and changing your best traditional labs into inquiry-based labs. For more information visit: www.eejust.org/educators/index.html
Dates: June 17-22 or June 24-29, 2007 .
Location: Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, NH
Cost: $900, includes room and board. Excludes travel.  

International Studies Summer Institute 2007
This summer institute seeks to help teachers of grades 7-12 create lesson plans with international themes, which address specific international issues that are raised at the conference.  It also helps them apply their problem-solving skills to international issues, and learn where to get the resources they need to make these lesson plans and ideas a reality when they return to their schools.  There will be many interesting activities, such as an international film series, simulation games, and cultural entertainment. www.indiana.edu/%7Eglobal/teacherprogram.php
Dates: July 8-21, 2007
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Cost: $900, includes lodging in single rooms, meals, access to University services, cultural events, transportation to/from the airport, books, and international dinners.

National Geographic’s Literacy Institute
This year’s event will focus on the latest literacy research for English language learners and for best ways to develop nonfiction literacy in the field of science. Sessions include: building academic vocabulary, best use of nonfiction reading and writing workshops for both mainstream and learning disabled students, literacy coaching, special report from the Carnegie Corporation of New York about Reading Next, and more. Questions or comments? Email literacyinstitute@ngs.org or visit: www.literacyinstitute.org/
Dates: July 11-13, 2007
Location: Washington , D.C.
Cost: $365

Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI)
SEASSI is an eight-week intensive language training program for undergraduate and graduate students and professionals, held on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Instruction is offered in the following languages:  Burmese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Javanese, Khmer, Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese. Each language course is equivalent to two semesters of study, with full academic-year credit.  Instruction is given in small individualized groups. Visit seassi.wisc.edu for more information. Application deadline: April 16.
Dates: June 18-August 10, 2007
Location: Madison , Wisconsin
Cost: $3,000 (language instruction only)

Understanding and Teaching about Islam
Dar al Islam is pleased to offer a free residential two-week long summer institute, primarily for secondary school teachers. The program covers the faith, civilization, and world-view of Islam through a study of primary texts and classical and later interpretations. The Institute’s major goal is to offer educators an opportunity to see how Islam works in the daily life of Muslims and to better understand the basic tenets this fast growing faith in the Untied States and the world. Three graduate-level college credits are available through New Mexico Highlands University at $120 per credit hour. Those who wish to take advantage of these optional credits can register on-site during the program. There will be no additional academic responsibilities for those who register. Application deadline is April 2. For more information please visit www.daralislam.org or contact Rehana Shafi at rbshafi@gmail.com or by phone at (410) 493 3271.
Dates: July 8-22, 2007
Location: Abiquiu, northern New Mexico
Cost: No registration costs, participants must pay for their own travel to Albuquerque, “rustic” accommodations provided.

World Affairs Council of Washington DC's Sixteenth Annual Summer Institute on International Affairs – Middle East
The Summer Institute on International Affairs is a key resource for teachers committed to providing their students with a global education. The Institute gathers educators for an intensive seminar on international affairs and the role of the U.S. in the world. The conference features expert speakers who engage teachers in discussions on crucial foreign policy issues. Participants are afforded the opportunity to expand their knowledge of global issues, exchange information with colleagues, develop new ideas on how to integrate an international component into their curriculum, and earn graduate credit for their participation. Using lectures, films, small group discussions and role-play activities, the Summer Institute fills both an intellectual and professional development void for teachers. For more information visit: www.worldaffairsdc.org/main.asp?sid=22 or contact Amanda Stamp (astamp@worldaffairsdc.org or 202-293-1051).
Dates: June 25-29, 2007
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: TBD

 International Service Learning and Volunteer Opportunities

Cross-Cultural Solutions
Cross-Cultural Solutions flexible international volunteer programs offer the opportunity to come face-to-face with global issues and become part of productive solutions. They have developed partnerships with social service pioneers in a number of host countries and sponsor projects that focus on health care, education, and social development. Volunteer Abroad participants can choose from almost 200 start dates and from 12 countries. www.crossculturalsolutions.org
Duration: 2-12 weeks
Cost: $2,389 – and higher (excludes travel to and from the site)

Earthwatch Institute
Earthwatch expeditions allow participants to work side-by-side with leading scientists on ongoing research projects worldwide. Fellowships are awarded through a competitive application process to elementary, middle, and high school educators and administrators of all disciplines. www.earthwatch.org
Duration: varies
Cost: $700 - $4,000 (excludes travel to and from the site; sponsorship available)

Global Educators Program
The Global Educators Program is designed to provide educators with 3 or 4 week, team-teaching experiences in sites around the world. The program has placed over 500 educators in "host schools" in over 50 countries. Each participant chooses the location to which s/he will travel and designs a personalized Professional Development Plan to meet his/her specific needs and interests. In addition to the international teaching experience, participants earn graduate credits by selecting from options that include participation in conferences and workshops, designing 'globalized' curriculum and/or comparative research projects; and developing collaborative telecommunications project work between home and host school students and teachers. Course is open to pre-K through post-secondary educators, all subject and content areas, including administration, special needs, counseling, vocational education, etc. Applications accepted November through mid-March. For further information visit www.global-links.org/ or contact: Dr. Carol LeBreck Tel: (715) 425-6904 or Carol@global-links.org
Duration: 3 or 4 weeks
Cost: varies depending on site

Global Volunteer Network
The Global Volunteer Network offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. They currently provide volunteer programs in Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam. www.volunteer.org.nz
Duration: most programs are 2-12 weeks
Cost: varies depending on country of program and length of stay.

Global Volunteers
Global Volunteers is an NGO based in St. Paul Minnesota that places volunteers in 150 programs in 20 countries, including the United States. Teams of volunteers live and work together with local people on human and economic development projects. www.globalvolunteers.org
Duration: 1-3 weeks
Cost: $1,370-$2,750

Habitat for Humanity: Global Village Program
Habitat for Humanity International’s Global Village trips allows participants a unique opportunity to become active partners with people of another culture. Team members work alongside members of the host country to build homes in impoverished areas. www.habitat.org/gv
Duration: 9-14 days
Cost: $1,000 - $2,200 (includes room and board, travel insurance, in country transportation and a donation to the project)

Operations Crossroads Africa
Operations Crossroads Africa is a cross-cultural exchange program offering seven-week volunteer opportunities in various African countries. All projects are community-initiated, so participants will live and work with hosts who have designed the project. Projects fall into five categories: community construction/development, women in development, agriculture/reforestation, community medical or health outreach, and education/training projects. Visit operationcrossroadsafrica.org/main.php for more information.
Duration: 7 weeks (June 15-August 10, 2007)
Cost: $3,500 (includes airfare, in country travel, room and board, materials)

Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Ambassadorial Scholarships program sponsors several types of scholarships for individual study terms ranging from three months to two years abroad. Qualified professionals can apply through their local rotary clubs. While abroad, scholars give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with local Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.
www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html
Duration: varies
Cost: none

Service Civil International Voluntary Service
Service Civil International is a non-profit network for voluntary service promoting global tolerance and understanding through grassroots community service in 50 countries. Its work camp service visits require less out-of-pocket cost, but are somewhat more rustic – often requiring volunteers to bring sleeping bags and tents. Participants must be willing to live, work, and cook together with others from different backgrounds and cultures. www.sci-ivs.org
Duration: 2- 3 weeks
Cost: $195 (excludes travel to and from the site)

WorldTeach at the Center for International Development
WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at Harvard University which provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries. In addition to year-long programs, World Teach also offers 2-month service programs in China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Namibia, Poland, and South Africa. www.worldteach.org
Duration: 2 months
Cost: $3,990 (includes airfare)

International Study Tours

Center for Global Education at Augsburg College
Guatemala - Education for Decolonization: A Professional Development Seminar
This travel seminar is designed for primary through graduate-level educators to reflect upon the enduring legacy of colonialism, their responsibility as educators to understand the dynamics of colonialism, and the strategies being employed, especially in indigenous communities, to decolonize and reconstruct more just communities. Special emphasis will be placed on learning about Maya history, culture and resistance to assimilation, as well as the challenges to building peace, democracy and autonomy for the Mayan people of Guatemala . Participants will return home equipped to engage their students in discussions about colonization and decolonization in their classrooms, courses and communities.  Travel seminar includes side trip to Tikal .  Application deadline is March 20, 2007. 
Dates: June 23 - July 1, 2007
Location: Guatemala
Cost: $1,395.  (does not include international airfare)

The East-West Center, Travel and Teach: Cambodia and Thailand  
The East-West Center’s “Travel and Teach” program offers U.S. teachers the opportunity to develop meaningful real-life connections to world cultures, religions, economies, ecologies, and more through experiential professional learning, enriched by one-on-one interactions with people in local communities. The 2007 “Travel and Teach” itinerary provides knowledge-enhanced immersion experiences in Cambodia and Thailand. The program takes a multifaceted approach to exploring the incredible diversity of Southeast Asia, as exemplified by Thailand and Cambodia, while enabling participants to make “connections” between these two societies/cultures. Application deadline is April 15, 2007. Please contact the East-West Center directly:  SteinemN@EastWestCenter.org or visit the education.eastwestcenter.org/asiapacificed/APED/2007programs.htm website for an application or with questions.
Dates: July 1- 25, 2007
Location: Cambodia and Thailand
Cost: $1,500 (includes lodging and most meals, host family and school honoraria, guides, site visits, and airfare from Thailand to Cambodia. Excludes airfare to/from Bangkok and passport and visa fees)  

Institute of International Education
Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands
The 2007 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands is a special professional development program for secondary school teachers. Educators will visit these remote islands; the inspiration for Darwin and home to ecosystems found no where else on Earth! This year the program is open to classroom teachers of all disciplines in grades 7-12, who teach full time in all 50 states and the District of Columbia . Twenty eligible applicants will be selected in May to participate on this fully funded program. The application is online at www.iie.org/toyota . The deadline for application is April 23, 2007.
Dates: September 30- October 12, 2007
Location: Galapagos Islands
Cost: Direct costs of participation (transportation, lodging, meals and all program activities) will be paid by Toyota

Summer Chinese Language Institute for American K-12 Teachers of Chinese, State Department Summer Study Abroad Program
Scholarships in China available for K-12 teachers and students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate education programs who plan on teaching Chinese language. This program seeks to provide teachers with the opportunity to study Mandarin language and Chinese as a Foreign Language teaching methodology.U.S. K-12 teachers of Chinese and students intending to teach Chinese may apply. For more information visit: www.caorc.org/teachers/ or contact Melynda Benlemlih, Program Officer, Teacher Exchange Program, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State, tel: 202-453-8879 or e-mail: Benlemlihms@state.gov Application Deadline: Must be postmarked by March 26, 2007.
Dates: June 23 – August 5, 2007
Location: Hong Kong, China
Scholarship Benefits for Selected Participants: International airfare, domestic travel in China, housing, meals, incidentals, classes, books, pre-departure orientation, educational and cultural excursions. The Hong Kong Institute of Education will provide course credit for all participants who successfully complete all program requirements.