Recap: Intercultural Exchange Program, Summer 2021

This summer, our Intercultural Exchange Program brought together 30 high schoolers from 11 countries for four weeks of cross-cultural learning and friendship. Each week, participants explored a different global issue and engaged in a knowledge-building Weekly Workshop call on that week’s issue.

Students were also matched with a peer from a different country for the entirety of the program as Cultural Partners. Each week, these culture partners engaged in one-on-one discussions about the status of the week’s global issue in their respective home countries.

Additionally, students had the option each week to be matched randomly with an international peer for a friendly Culture Coffee Chat. Discussion guides were provided to help steer conversations between Culture Partners and Culture Coffee Chat partners.

Below are the global issues covered each week:

• Week 1: Culture (What is culture and what does it mean to investigate issues through a cultural lens?)

• Week 2: Mental Health

• Week 3: LGBTQ+ Rights

• Week 4: Education

At the conclusion of the program, Adrija Jana from India was recognized as our inaugural Global Scholar Award recipient. The Global Scholar Award recognizes the most actively engaged, dedicated, and consistent contributor to our Intercultural Exchange Program. Adrija received a $60 scholarship.