International Education Week in Michigan

Learn how you can share your event during International Education Week, Nov. 18-22, 2019.

Michigan International Academic Year Program Students from 2018-2019
Michigan International Academic Year Program Students from 2018-2019. Photo by D'Ann Rohrer, MSU Extension.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs celebrates international education and exchange worldwide by setting aside dates for International Education Week, Nov. 18-22, 2019. As stated on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website, “This is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education as part of an effort to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.” Please post your event to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website by clicking on the Submit a 2019 International Education Week Event link.

One way Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs is engaging in global environments is by encouraging our youth to travel abroad for one month in the summer. These youth range in age from 12–18 years old, depending on the country to which they travel.

Michigan will be accepting applications to travel abroad for one month to Costa Rica, Japan, Korea, Taiwan or Norway in the summer of 2020. Applications are due Nov. 1 with the first $2,000 payment, but don’t wait too long to apply. Michigan is expecting 20 applications for 2020 travel. Some countries have limits on the number of youth who can travel. See the 2020 Outbound Exchange section on the Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs page for more information on how to apply. Encourage the youth in your community to embrace the idea of traveling abroad and opening their minds to other cultures and the beauty of our world.

In addition to traveling abroad, Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs is hosting six international exchange students in Michigan for the 2019-2020 academic school year. These students participate through States’ 4-H International and present about their home country during school or community events during International Education Week. We are still looking for three more host families for the 2019-2020 school year.

If you are interested in having one of Michigan’s academic year program students talk to your organization or group, please email D’Ann Rohrer at drohrer@msu.edu. Our students are located across the state and are excited to share about their home countries.

In conjunction with International Education Week, during the month of November, local passport offices throughout the United States will host Passport to the World events, which will provide the general public an opportunity to learn about passports or apply for passports on the spot. If you are interested in applying for a passport, visit your local post office or Register of Deeds office for more information.

If you would like to learn more about international exchange programs in Michigan, visit Michigan State University Extension’s International Exchange Programs or contact D’Ann Rohrer, state coordinator, leadership and civic engagement team member, at drohrer@msu.edu

To learn about the positive impact of Michigan 4-H youth leadership, citizenship and service and global and cultural education programs, read our 2018 Impact Report: “Developing Civically Engaged Leaders.” Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H have positively impacted individuals and communities in 2018, can be downloaded from the MSU Extension website.

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