Global Visits : Extending the Vision of Cultural Exchange

Global Visits is a unique and exciting opportunity that can open up avenues of international friendship and learning among students not being met by current ‘traditional’ exchange programs. Building on the increased ease and competence young people are acquiring with the Internet and computers, Global Visits will connect students from around the world through a series of virtual classroom exchanges. Research, history, languages and geography will become more dynamic as students, and teachers, prepare for their ‘visits’. Global Visits could also serve as a support for students participating in ‘traditional’ exchange programs. Offered n a wide variety of schools, this vision includes:

Schools located in rural, isolated communities with limited access to outside influences
Challenged schools in large, urban environments that are not generally involved with international enrichment programs
Suburban schools with limited diverse populations that can be linked to schools very different from their demographic backgrounds and experiences
Schools located in new emerging and developing nations where the majority of the world’s population lives, and whose cultural and religious history offers contrast to America’s European roots and concepts
Schools located in countries that have undergone dramatic social and political changes
Youth leadership groups