http://www.americancouncils.org/ American Councils news and announcements. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:07:41 CST en-us http://www.americancouncils.org/images/logo-small.jpg http://www.americancouncils.org/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/0H2tLoVKi1Y/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f9/Interested_in_studying_in_the_Balkans_Seeking_to_perfect_your_Albanian_Bosnian_Macedonian_or_Serbian_language_skills/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f9/Interested_in_studying_in_the_Balkans_Seeking_to_perfect_your_Albanian_Bosnian_Macedonian_or_Serbian_language_skills/ Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:07:41 CST The Balkan Language Initiative is the perfect opportunity to study a Balkan language and culture in an overseas, immersion setting. Albanian, Bosnian, Macedonian, and Serbian languages programs are currently being offered in their corresponding countries. Expert faculty from leading local universities will conduct courses during the fall, spring, summer, and academic-year terms. Program highlights include staying with host families, experiencing local culture, and logistical support from on-site American Councils offices. Sounds great, but am I eligible? Graduate students, undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals who have completed two years of college-level study in the target language are eligible to apply. Application Deadlines: • March 1 (Summer term) • March 15 (Fall term/Academic-year) • October 1 (Spring term) Applications and more information can be found at <a class="inlineLink" href="http://acbalkansabroad.org/">http://acbalkansabroad.org/</a>. For additional questions or inquiries email outbound@americancouncils.org.
Sounds great, but am I eligible?

Graduate students, undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals who have completed two years of college-level study in the target language are eligible to apply.

Application Deadlines:
• March 1 (Summer term)
• March 15 (Fall term/Academic-year)
• October 1 (Spring term)

Applications and more information can be found at http://acbalkansabroad.org/.

For additional questions or inquiries email outbound@americancouncils.org.
]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f9/Interested_in_studying_in_the_Balkans_Seeking_to_perfect_your_Albanian_Bosnian_Macedonian_or_Serbian_language_skills/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/6jeXDCbNe0E/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f8/Open_World_Open_Minds_Moldovan_Judges_Receive_Honors_While_Visiting_the_US/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f8/Open_World_Open_Minds_Moldovan_Judges_Receive_Honors_While_Visiting_the_US/ Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:46:57 CST <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac121911075233_7506_s.jpg"><br /><br />Recently, the interim President of Moldova, Marian Lupu, recognized two of his country's prestigious judges for distinguished service while the judges were in the U.S. learning about the American judicial system as participants on the Open World Program. Judges Nichifor Corochii and Dumitru Visternicean were in Raleigh, North Carolina, when they were informed that the Moldovan President had awarded Judge Corochii a medal for civic merit, and bestowed the honorary title of "Emeritus" on Judge Visternicean. The Open Word Program is a U.S. congressionally-funded initiative whose Rule of Law component seeks to strengthen relationships between the U.S. judiciary and the judiciaries of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and other Eurasian countries. American Councils for International Education oversees the logistics for the Open World program. Judges Corochii and Visternicean are members of the Moldovan Superior Council of Magistracy, an entity responsible for the management of the Moldovan judicial system and for ensuring transparency, integrity, and efficacy in the Moldovan courts. The judges' reputations as stewards of judicial integrity led to their nominations for participation in the Open World program. During their visit to the U.S., Judges Corochii, Visternicean, along with three other Moldovan judges, were hosted by the International Affairs Council of North Carolina and Justice Paul Newby in Raleigh, North Carolina. While in Raleigh, the delegation of Moldovan judges had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with U.S. judges and other representatives from North Carolina courts, law schools, and the State Bar Association. They discussed areas for future collaboration, such as using the North Carolina Bar Association's International Law and Practice Section as an educational resource in Moldova. As a direct result of their experience on the Open World program, Judges Corochii and Visternicean are taking steps to improve Moldova's judicial system. Judge Corochii plans to train Supreme Court Judges on how to use Moldova's new electronic system for filing cases. Judge Visternicean plans to organize a national conference on the use of "mediation" as an alternative form of dispute resolution in the Moldovan legal system. Click <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.americancouncils.org/program/1s/OWRL/">here</a> to learn more about the Open World Program.

Recently, the interim President of Moldova, Marian Lupu, recognized two of his country's prestigious judges for distinguished service while the judges were in the U.S. learning about the American judicial system as participants on the Open World Program. Judges Nichifor Corochii and Dumitru Visternicean were in Raleigh, North Carolina, when they were informed that the Moldovan President had awarded Judge Corochii a medal for civic merit, and bestowed the honorary title of "Emeritus" on Judge Visternicean. The Open Word Program is a U.S. congressionally-funded initiative whose Rule of Law component seeks to strengthen relationships between the U.S. judiciary and the judiciaries of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and other Eurasian countries. American Councils for International Education oversees the logistics for the Open World program.

Judges Corochii and Visternicean are members of the Moldovan Superior Council of Magistracy, an entity responsible for the management of the Moldovan judicial system and for ensuring transparency, integrity, and efficacy in the Moldovan courts. The judges' reputations as stewards of judicial integrity led to their nominations for participation in the Open World program. During their visit to the U.S., Judges Corochii, Visternicean, along with three other Moldovan judges, were hosted by the International Affairs Council of North Carolina and Justice Paul Newby in Raleigh, North Carolina.

While in Raleigh, the delegation of Moldovan judges had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with U.S. judges and other representatives from North Carolina courts, law schools, and the State Bar Association. They discussed areas for future collaboration, such as using the North Carolina Bar Association's International Law and Practice Section as an educational resource in Moldova.

As a direct result of their experience on the Open World program, Judges Corochii and Visternicean are taking steps to improve Moldova's judicial system. Judge Corochii plans to train Supreme Court Judges on how to use Moldova's new electronic system for filing cases. Judge Visternicean plans to organize a national conference on the use of "mediation" as an alternative form of dispute resolution in the Moldovan legal system.

Click here to learn more about the Open World Program. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f8/Open_World_Open_Minds_Moldovan_Judges_Receive_Honors_While_Visiting_the_US/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/ACuY2nIGPEs/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f7/Bring_the_World_to_Your_School/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f7/Bring_the_World_to_Your_School/ Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:04:06 CST <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac121511120405_2290_s.jpg"><br /><br />Interested in internationalizing your school? Apply for Educational Seminars or the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP), two fully-funded programs that enable U.S. teachers and administrators from K-12 schools to collaborate internationally. Educational Seminars and TCLP are funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by American Councils for International Education. Learn more about international education systems and teaching methodologies! This fall, 50 Educational Seminars participants from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and their U.S. partners gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Welcome Orientation before dispersing to their U.S. host communities. After three weeks of work shadowing, guest teaching, and cultural exploration, the international educators returned home and are now preparing for their U.S. partners to visit them this summer. The Educational Seminars program also offers fully-funded opportunities for teachers to go to India, Italy, Greece, and Uruguay. Start or strengthen your school's Arabic or Chinese program with a native language teacher! TCLP places English as a Foreign Language teachers from China and Egypt in U.S. K-12 host schools where they teach Mandarin or Arabic language and culture for a full academic year. To increase the number of U.S. citizens teaching and learning these critical languages, host schools receive full financial support for their TCLP teacher and gain access to grant opportunities to support language-learning projects. Learn more about <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.americancouncils.org/TCLP/">TCLP</a> and <a class="inlineLink" href="www.americancouncils.org/es">Educational Seminars</a>. <a class="inlineLink" href="https://ais.americancouncils.org"> Apply now</a> for TCLP or Educational Seminars.

Interested in internationalizing your school?
Apply for Educational Seminars or the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP), two fully-funded programs that enable U.S. teachers and administrators from K-12 schools to collaborate internationally. Educational Seminars and TCLP are funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by American Councils for International Education.

Learn more about international education systems and teaching methodologies!
This fall, 50 Educational Seminars participants from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and their U.S. partners gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Welcome Orientation before dispersing to their U.S. host communities. After three weeks of work shadowing, guest teaching, and cultural exploration, the international educators returned home and are now preparing for their U.S. partners to visit them this summer. The Educational Seminars program also offers fully-funded opportunities for teachers to go to India, Italy, Greece, and Uruguay.

Start or strengthen your school's Arabic or Chinese program with a native language teacher!
TCLP places English as a Foreign Language teachers from China and Egypt in U.S. K-12 host schools where they teach Mandarin or Arabic language and culture for a full academic year. To increase the number of U.S. citizens teaching and learning these critical languages, host schools receive full financial support for their TCLP teacher and gain access to grant opportunities to support language-learning projects.

Learn more about TCLP and Educational Seminars.

Apply now for TCLP or Educational Seminars. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f7/Bring_the_World_to_Your_School/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/WJagtp-KmYs/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f6/Giving_Girls_a_Head_Start_ISPIT_Coach_Starts_a_Running_Program_in_Tajikistan/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f6/Giving_Girls_a_Head_Start_ISPIT_Coach_Starts_a_Running_Program_in_Tajikistan/ Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:14:23 CST <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac121211081423_8842_s.jpg"><br /><br />During his trip to the United States, Dostonbek Mamirov, the Director of the Javoni Children's Sports School in Proletarsk, Tajikistan began to see sports and fitness in a whole new light. Mamirov was in Washington, D.C. earlier this year participating in the International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPIT), a program funded by the SportsUnited Division of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by American Councils for International Education. ISPIT is an exchange program for Tajik and American youth sports coaches to visit the U.S. and Tajikistan to learn about youth sports programming and life skills development. ISPIT participants from Tajikistan completed the exchange portion of the program in March 2011 and are currently using small grants to set up local youth sports initiatives. While in Washington, D.C., Mamirov visited Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Upon his return to Tajikistan, Mamirov inspired his wife, Firuza Shukurova, to initiate a similar program at the elementary school where she teaches. Shukurova started running with six girls, ages nine through twelve, three times a week. Within three months the number of girls in the program nearly tripled. At first, the young girls were shy about running and engaging in the group discussions after the runs. However, as they became more accustomed to the program, they also grew more confident and thoughtful. Group discussions focused on the importance of healthy lifestyles and avoiding unhealthy behaviors like fighting and public intoxication. With the popular success of their first endeavor, Mamirov and Shukurova are now organizing two additional running programs for girls in rural schools in the neighboring villages of Gulyakandoz and Gulhana. This story is a great example of how the ISPIT program allowed coaches from the U.S. and Tajikistan to exchange ideas and get innovative fitness-related initiatives up and running. Click <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.americancouncils.org/exTraining.php">here</a> to learn more about exchanges, training, and study abroad through American Councils.

During his trip to the United States, Dostonbek Mamirov, the Director of the Javoni Children's Sports School in Proletarsk, Tajikistan began to see sports and fitness in a whole new light. Mamirov was in Washington, D.C. earlier this year participating in the International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPIT), a program funded by the SportsUnited Division of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by American Councils for International Education. ISPIT is an exchange program for Tajik and American youth sports coaches to visit the U.S. and Tajikistan to learn about youth sports programming and life skills development. ISPIT participants from Tajikistan completed the exchange portion of the program in March 2011 and are currently using small grants to set up local youth sports initiatives.

While in Washington, D.C., Mamirov visited Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Upon his return to Tajikistan, Mamirov inspired his wife, Firuza Shukurova, to initiate a similar program at the elementary school where she teaches.

Shukurova started running with six girls, ages nine through twelve, three times a week. Within three months the number of girls in the program nearly tripled. At first, the young girls were shy about running and engaging in the group discussions after the runs. However, as they became more accustomed to the program, they also grew more confident and thoughtful. Group discussions focused on the importance of healthy lifestyles and avoiding unhealthy behaviors like fighting and public intoxication.

With the popular success of their first endeavor, Mamirov and Shukurova are now organizing two additional running programs for girls in rural schools in the neighboring villages of Gulyakandoz and Gulhana. This story is a great example of how the ISPIT program allowed coaches from the U.S. and Tajikistan to exchange ideas and get innovative fitness-related initiatives up and running.

Click here to learn more about exchanges, training, and study abroad through American Councils.]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f6/Giving_Girls_a_Head_Start_ISPIT_Coach_Starts_a_Running_Program_in_Tajikistan/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/WaAeA2eu3Zs/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f5/Central_Asian_Fellows_Develop_Critical_Business_Skills_Through_DC_Internships/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f5/Central_Asian_Fellows_Develop_Critical_Business_Skills_Through_DC_Internships/ Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:19:01 CST <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac120511081900_5044_s.jpg"><br /><br />Last quarter, American Councils and the U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation (US-CAEF) welcomed six of its first international internship fellows to Washington D.C. Overseen by American Councils, US-CAEF provides full scholarships to undergraduates at leading universities in Central Asia to strengthen business education in the region. After graduation, select US-CAEF scholarship recipients spend four months interning at companies in Washington, D.C. as international internship fellows gaining valuable professional skills and building their international business networks. With full scholarship support from the US-CAEF Student Fellowship program, the students earned their bachelors degrees from American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Kyrgyzstan and the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research (KIMEP). Hailing from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the graduates will intern in the fields of investment, international trade logistics, and public policy research. When they return home after their internships, the fellows will use their degrees and new professional skills to become leaders in the fields of business administration and economics. When asked about her goals for the internship program, a current US-CAEF fellow, Maria Tsvetkova, reflected, "when I studied the theory of business at my university, I was skeptical about all the rules and procedures described in books... One of the goals for my internship is to experience all of these theories in practice." American Councils for International Education partners with the Washington Center, a D.C.-based internship provider, to offer participants an integrated, experiential learning program. This program consists of a competitively placed internship, academic courses on business strategy and entrepreneurship, and relevant professional development events. In addition to the importance of career-based internships, participants gain significant international cultural understanding that will benefit them in their future careers. For more information on US-CAEF, visit <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.us-caef.americancouncilsnetwork.org/">http://www.us-caef.americancouncilsnetwork.org/</a>.

Last quarter, American Councils and the U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation (US-CAEF) welcomed six of its first international internship fellows to Washington D.C. Overseen by American Councils, US-CAEF provides full scholarships to undergraduates at leading universities in Central Asia to strengthen business education in the region. After graduation, select US-CAEF scholarship recipients spend four months interning at companies in Washington, D.C. as international internship fellows gaining valuable professional skills and building their international business networks.

With full scholarship support from the US-CAEF Student Fellowship program, the students earned their bachelors degrees from American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Kyrgyzstan and the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research (KIMEP). Hailing from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the graduates will intern in the fields of investment, international trade logistics, and public policy research. When they return home after their internships, the fellows will use their degrees and new professional skills to become leaders in the fields of business administration and economics.

When asked about her goals for the internship program, a current US-CAEF fellow, Maria Tsvetkova, reflected, "when I studied the theory of business at my university, I was skeptical about all the rules and procedures described in books... One of the goals for my internship is to experience all of these theories in practice."

American Councils for International Education partners with the Washington Center, a D.C.-based internship provider, to offer participants an integrated, experiential learning program. This program consists of a competitively placed internship, academic courses on business strategy and entrepreneurship, and relevant professional development events. In addition to the importance of career-based internships, participants gain significant international cultural understanding that will benefit them in their future careers.

For more information on US-CAEF, visit http://www.us-caef.americancouncilsnetwork.org/.]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f5/Central_Asian_Fellows_Develop_Critical_Business_Skills_Through_DC_Internships/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/urrUvzTE3k0/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f4/American_Councils_CoSponsors_Major_International_Conference_at_Harvard_University_on_the_RussianSpeaking_Jewish_Diaspora/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f4/American_Councils_CoSponsors_Major_International_Conference_at_Harvard_University_on_the_RussianSpeaking_Jewish_Diaspora/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:55 CST <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac112911150053_8867_s.jpg"><br /><br />From November 13-15, a multi-disciplinary, cross-generational group of scholars from Russia, Europe, Israel, and North America came together at Harvard University for the Conference on the Contemporary Russian-Speaking Jewish Diaspora to examine changing concepts of "diaspora" reflected in the movements of Russian-speaking Jewish migrants from 1970 to 2010. Language and cultural specialists, demographers, sociologists, anthropologists, and political scientists from eight participating nations contributed to the discussions hosted at the Davis Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. Professor Zvi Gitelman (University of Michigan) and Lisbeth Tarlow (Davis Center, Harvard University) co-chaired the conference, which received financial and organizational support from American Councils for International Education. American Councils President, Dan Davidson, who also attended the conference, noted that "it is valuable that the role of the diaspora be investigated not only from the point of view of receiving countries, but also from the perspective of the sending countries, represented at the conference by scholars from Russia and Ukraine." Davidson also noted the support of this important scholarly event provided by the Russian State Fund for the Humanities and the Russkiy Mir Foundation. Conference organizers plan to publish a volume of edited papers based on the conference in 2013. Click <a class="inlineLink" href="http://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/seminars_conferences/diaspora/">here</a> to read more about the Conference on the Contemporary Russian-Speaking Jewish Diaspora. Click <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.americancouncils.org/">here</a> to learn more about American Councils.

From November 13-15, a multi-disciplinary, cross-generational group of scholars from Russia, Europe, Israel, and North America came together at Harvard University for the Conference on the Contemporary Russian-Speaking Jewish Diaspora to examine changing concepts of "diaspora" reflected in the movements of Russian-speaking Jewish migrants from 1970 to 2010. Language and cultural specialists, demographers, sociologists, anthropologists, and political scientists from eight participating nations contributed to the discussions hosted at the Davis Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. Professor Zvi Gitelman (University of Michigan) and Lisbeth Tarlow (Davis Center, Harvard University) co-chaired the conference, which received financial and organizational support from American Councils for International Education.

American Councils President, Dan Davidson, who also attended the conference, noted that "it is valuable that the role of the diaspora be investigated not only from the point of view of receiving countries, but also from the perspective of the sending countries, represented at the conference by scholars from Russia and Ukraine." Davidson also noted the support of this important scholarly event provided by the Russian State Fund for the Humanities and the Russkiy Mir Foundation. Conference organizers plan to publish a volume of edited papers based on the conference in 2013.

Click here to read more about the Conference on the Contemporary Russian-Speaking Jewish Diaspora.

Click here to learn more about American Councils.]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f4/American_Councils_CoSponsors_Major_International_Conference_at_Harvard_University_on_the_RussianSpeaking_Jewish_Diaspora/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/m5M3rCoaI5o/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f3/Connect_Internationally_with_the_Educational_Seminars_Program/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f3/Connect_Internationally_with_the_Educational_Seminars_Program/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:42:34 CST The Educational Seminars Program provides short-term professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators. Current programs include two to three week reciprocal exchange programs with Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, and Uruguay and five to eight week one-way professional development programs to Greece, India, and Italy. All Educational Seminars cover airfare, program preparation, travel health care, and living costs. Upcoming Program Application Deadlines: January 6 (India, Italy, and Greece); March 30 (Argentina, Brazil, and Thailand) For more information and program applications, visit the <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.americancouncils.org/es" title="Link" TARGET="_blank">Educational Seminars Program webpage </a>, or email edseminars@americancouncils.org.

Upcoming Program Application Deadlines: January 6 (India, Italy, and Greece); March 30 (Argentina, Brazil, and Thailand)
For more information and program applications, visit the Educational Seminars Program webpage , or email edseminars@americancouncils.org.]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f3/Connect_Internationally_with_the_Educational_Seminars_Program/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/LD-i0jgmtFA/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f2/Study_Language_in_Egypt_and_China_with_The_Intensive_Summer_Language_Institutes_program/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f2/Study_Language_in_Egypt_and_China_with_The_Intensive_Summer_Language_Institutes_program/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:36:03 CST The Intensive Summer Language Institutes (ISLI) provide fellowships for American teachers to spend six weeks overseas studying intermediate and advanced level Arabic and Chinese in Alexandria, Egypt, and Changchun, China, respectively. Current K-12 teachers, community college instructors, and students enrolled in Arabic or Chinese teacher training programs are eligible to apply. Participants earn ten hours of graduate-level course credit through Bryn Mawr College. The program covers peer tutoring, round-trip airfare, and all study-related costs. Program Application Deadline: March 2, 2012 Learn more and start an application on<a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.americancouncils.org/isli" title="Link" TARGET="_blank"> ISLI webpage</a>, or email us at isli@americancouncils.org.

Program Application Deadline: March 2, 2012
Learn more and start an application on ISLI webpage, or email us at isli@americancouncils.org.
]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f2/Study_Language_in_Egypt_and_China_with_The_Intensive_Summer_Language_Institutes_program/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/rypdB56OpWw/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f1/Host_a_Guest_Teacher_with_the_Teachers_of_Critical_Languages_Program/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f1/Host_a_Guest_Teacher_with_the_Teachers_of_Critical_Languages_Program/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:16:24 CST The Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) places teachers from China and Egypt in K-12 host schools around the U.S. TCLP guest teachers instruct students in Mandarin or Arabic language and culture for one academic year. Hosting an exchange teacher allows schools and districts to build relationships with native Arabic and Chinese speakers, connect with schools overseas, increase capacity in their language programs, and bring international perspectives to their faculty and student body. TCLP provides teachers’ salaries, healthcare, roundtrip airfare, training, professional development funds, and ongoing program support. To increase the number of Americans teaching and learning these critical languages, selected host schools receive access to grant opportunities to support language-learning projects. Program Application Deadline: January 9, 2012 Learn more and start an application on the<a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.tclprogram.org" title="Link" TARGET="_blank"> TCLP website </a>, or email us at tclp@americancouncils.org.

Program Application Deadline: January 9, 2012
Learn more and start an application on the TCLP website , or email us at tclp@americancouncils.org. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f1/Host_a_Guest_Teacher_with_the_Teachers_of_Critical_Languages_Program/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/0Hi4xJH9qNE/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f0/Seoul_Sisters_Two_Americans_Pursue_Ongoing_Critical_Language_Training/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f0/Seoul_Sisters_Two_Americans_Pursue_Ongoing_Critical_Language_Training/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:41:00 CST <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac112211074100_7898_s.jpg"><br /><br />Since meeting on the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Program in 2009, Joanna Mills and Laura Figueroa developed a unique bond over their shared passion for the Korean language and culture. Mills and Figueroa have participated in two study abroad programs in South Korea - NSLI-Y and the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program - both administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. Department of State. They now plan to return to South Korea on their own initiative. As high school students, Mills and Figueroa participated in NSLI-Y, a merit-based scholarship program, which enables high school students to study critical languages abroad including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish. Hailing from North Carolina and Florida respectively, Mills and Figueroa spent a year on this program studying Korean language and culture, living with host families, and exploring the Korean Peninsula. From June to August 2011, the young women returned to South Korea as college students with the CLS Program. CLS is a fully-funded, intensive overseas summer language program for American graduate and undergraduate students. This advanced language training program is offered in thirteen different languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu. More recently, Mills and Figueroa served as U.S. representatives to the "1st International Next Generation Global Leader Conference" in Suwon, South Korea. The five-day event gathered study abroad alumni from around the world to discuss science, literature, political science, and human rights. Mills credited her reunion with Figueroa to "our similar interest and passions for global education. We keep seeking opportunities to travel [and participate on programs abroad]." She added, "None of this would have been possible if not for programs like NSLI-Y and CLS." Figueroa is currently pursing a bachelor's degree in International Relations at Stanford University. Mills returned to Seoul to intern with YES International, an organization that arranges international youth exchange programs. She will continue her bachelor's degree in Music at North Carolina Central University in fall 2012. Click <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.nsliforyouth.org/">here</a> for more information about the NSLI-Y Program. Click <a class="inlineLink" href="http://clscholarship.org/">here</a> for more information about the CLS Program.

Since meeting on the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Program in 2009, Joanna Mills and Laura Figueroa developed a unique bond over their shared passion for the Korean language and culture. Mills and Figueroa have participated in two study abroad programs in South Korea - NSLI-Y and the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program - both administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. Department of State. They now plan to return to South Korea on their own initiative.

As high school students, Mills and Figueroa participated in NSLI-Y, a merit-based scholarship program, which enables high school students to study critical languages abroad including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish. Hailing from North Carolina and Florida respectively, Mills and Figueroa spent a year on this program studying Korean language and culture, living with host families, and exploring the Korean Peninsula.

From June to August 2011, the young women returned to South Korea as college students with the CLS Program. CLS is a fully-funded, intensive overseas summer language program for American graduate and undergraduate students. This advanced language training program is offered in thirteen different languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu.

More recently, Mills and Figueroa served as U.S. representatives to the "1st International Next Generation Global Leader Conference" in Suwon, South Korea. The five-day event gathered study abroad alumni from around the world to discuss science, literature, political science, and human rights.

Mills credited her reunion with Figueroa to "our similar interest and passions for global education. We keep seeking opportunities to travel [and participate on programs abroad]." She added, "None of this would have been possible if not for programs like NSLI-Y and CLS."

Figueroa is currently pursing a bachelor's degree in International Relations at Stanford University. Mills returned to Seoul to intern with YES International, an organization that arranges international youth exchange programs. She will continue her bachelor's degree in Music at North Carolina Central University in fall 2012.

Click here for more information about the NSLI-Y Program.

Click here for more information about the CLS Program. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/f0/Seoul_Sisters_Two_Americans_Pursue_Ongoing_Critical_Language_Training/