March 2019 Issue
March 2019 Issue

GREETINGS ALUMNI!

Happy first day of spring! In this newsletter we will be featuring some really interesting free opportunities, along with a scholarship essay contest, open only to study abroad students! Earlier this month we hosted our first DCPS Study Abroad pre-departure meeting with our soon-to-be world travelers, and it was wonderful to see all the fresh faces excited to travel across the planet. Check out some pictures from our meeting at Columbia Heights Education Campus featured below!

We are looking for more alumni who are available to come help out at the next pre-departure meeting on April 24th at CHEC, to answer questions and get to know the students! Email us if you would be interested in helping out at this event!

This year DCPS Study Abroad is having all trips hold their meetings on the same day at the same place. This means we have higher attendance rates because students can travel together and remind each other to attend!

At this first meeting, students started learning more about the countries they would be visitin and some Travel Ambassadors brought in foods like croissants or salsa so students could get a “taste” of the country they were learning about. Parents and students got started filling out travel forms as well.

Jillian visited Argentina and Uruguay with DCPS Study Abroad in the summer of 2017. Jillian currently attends Emerson University.

Why did you decide to apply for DCPS Study Abroad?
I decided to apply to DCPS Study Abroad because I had never been out of the country before and I have studied Spanish since second grade, so I really wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country and practice.

What was your favorite part of you Study Abroad Experience?
My favorite part was probably going to La Boca because it was really colorful and fun. I had a great time taking film photos with the friends I made on my trip!

Why do you feel studying abroad is so important for students your age?
I feel like it is so important because it exposes us to a lot of different types of people, different types of food, and different experiences in general. This is really important for kids my age because it takes us out of our comfort zones, especially because we’re about to go to college. Even though we’ve been preparing for college since elementary school, nothing can really prepare you for that type of independence the way DCPS Study Abroad prepared me for being a little uncomfortable, yet really excited when I first left home.

How has the trip impacted you and your daily life?
It has impacted my life by improving my confidence in speaking with people from completely different backgrounds from me. I’ve ended up attending a college where people are all totally different than me, and I’m still having a really great time!
Want your story featured in the next newsletter? Click here to share your experience. 
 “World is a Classroom” Essay Contest
The Ripley Hunter "World is a Classroom" essay scholarship contest was created for students grades 9-12, based on the strong belief that travel positively affects the development of students and youth. Students are invited to use their creativity to compose an article or speech illustrating a student travel experience. Deadline for entry is April 30, 2019.

Students in grades nine through 12 and younger than 18 years will be considered.

Students who write an essay describing what they learned and how they were affected by travel could earn a scholarship of up to $1,500! Four additional top essay entries will receive a cash scholarship of $1,000.


Learn more and apply hereEmail questions to  info@sytayouthfoundation.org

CONCAUSA Youth Summit in Chile
Students participating in a community service project can win the opportunity to travel to Chile for free to participate in the CONCAUSA Youth Summit. This summit focuses on the fulfillment of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. CONCAUSA invites young people from all over the Americas to carry out sustainable development projects in their community, to share their projects and meet other young people and their initiatives. Learn more and apply
here
Application Deadline: May 22, 2019
Arabic Language Learning Program (Fall 2019)
The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center's Arabic Children's Program offers scholarships to students interested in building an appreciation of the Arabic language. Classes teach Modern Standard Arabic at all levels and across different age groups. Lessons are conducted in an immersion style environment and focus on all four language learning skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. No prior knowledge of Arabic is required for students to participate in the program. Learn more here
Application Deadline: August 18, 2019

Citizen Diplomacy Initiative
Based in Washington D.C., Learning Life is an educational nonprofit that seeks to spread learning in everyday life beyond school walls.  Learning Life’s
Citizen Diplomacy Initiative (CDI) is a new, free program that engages eligible lower-income American families, starting in Washington DC’s Ward 8, in live internet dialogues and project collaborations with similar families in other nations to nurture more informed, skilled, connected and caring global citizens in the long-term.  Here is a short video explaining the program; you can also learn more here. If you are interested and think your family is eligible, please contact Learning Life
Looking for more information about DCPS Global Ed? Visit dcpsglobaled.org
CONTACT US:

Jesse Nickelson, Director, Global Education
Ximena Marquez, Manager, Global Studies 
Kayla Gatalica, Manager, Global Programs
Allyson Williams, Manager, World Languages 
Kate Burkett, Specialist, World Languages
Jillian Flood, Coordinator, Global Education
Sydney Pollack, Study Abroad Alumni Fellow
Queen Ogunshakin, Study Abroad Alumni Fellow

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