End of Stay Orientation for AFS Year Program Students from France & Belgium 2021-22
India presents the
THE CHANGEMAKERS Newsletter In this issue of June 2022, you will find: • • • • • • • • •
In Impact Stories from AFS Staff learn about Ms Paramjit Sujlana, Director, Administration and Finance. Check out the report of the Indore Chapter conducting In-Person Foundations Training Volunteers are Changemakers. Also read about the story of Madhusudan Rao of AFS Bangalore as he addresses the LGBTQIA+ Community at BMS College of Law. In Member School Stories, read the Importance of Global Citizenship by Mr Sunil Shriwastav, Principal, Kids’ Kingdom Public, Nanded. In School Stories, read about the In-person Domestic Class Exchange of SEMS Anand & DPS Srinagar. Explore the story of Gitansh Kakar, AFS Program to Hungary 2022 in Alumni Stories where he shares his experience of exploring the Hungarian culture. Read the exciting opportunity in Colombia in the 18+ Programs segment. The Hosting Stories brings about our successful completion of the hosting programs for the year 2021-22. Learn more about the Italy Short Term Program in Special Programs for You!
STAFF IMPACT STORIES Ms Paramjit Sujlana
Director- Administration and Finance I believe that each and every moment in your life is something to celebrate and cherish as it teaches you something new and helps you to embrace new experiences and challenges. I am relatively new to AFS India having joined a month back but the core AFS values of dignity, individual difference, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance which are a hallmark of caring and giving back to the society in equal measure are so well defined that it is a source of inspiration for me. I have witnessed the joy of the students who have been abroad on various programs and their enthusiasm to share what they have imbibed in their time in various cultures and countries is so contagious and their need to give back to AFS what they have received is something which cannot be described in words. I have had the pleasure of watching our alumni and staff as facilitators in our orientations and guiding the incoming and outgoing students in their journeys and it has been an amazing experience. To understand the core values of being an AFSer is when you are a part of the organisation and for me this journey which I have just started is inspiring and wonderful in each and every aspect. I look forward to learning so much from this enriching environment which will help me further in becoming a much better human being. I am looking at a long-term association with the organisation which brings such happiness and joy to children and their parents by giving them such wonderful learning opportunities to grow and flourish in life by becoming global citizens advocating the AFS values. I am so proud to be a part of AFS India.
Page 01 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
VOLUNTEERS ARE
CHANGEMAKERS
In-Person Foundations Training Indore Chapter The In-person Foundations Training was successfully conducted on 11th June 2022 at St. Raphael School, Indore with 26 volunteers. The training was facilitated by Ms. Sarita Badhwar and was highly appreciated by the volunteers of Indore Chapter. The training was a great learning experience for all the participants, especially for the new volunteers from the AFS member schools. The agenda for the training was also very appropriate as the right amount of information was provided to understand about AFS and Intercultural Learning. Himani Nim, the alumna of the Asia Kakehashi Project 2021-22 was a great help throughout the training session. In today’s diverse and interconnected world, the important global and cultural competencies are the values and behaviours that prepare young people to thrive and engage to act on global issues to make a difference and create a more just and peaceful world. Learning never stops in life and learning new things helps in our own development. A big thanks to St. Raphael School for all the efforts to make the program a success. “The session was very enriching and a great learning experience with an abundance of practical insights. Hope all the learnings we took will be applied in real life.” - Parvez Hashmi, The Emerald Heights International School.
“Thank you is too small to address. The energy and your course presentation and enthusiastic way opened all the blockages that we had in our subconscious minds. The wonderful content and your style were like therapy that left us with a real feel-good factor.”
“I'm grateful for being allowed to be a part of such a remarkable session. Looking forward to more such exciting sessions.” - Archana Shrivastava, DPS Rau
- Sushmita Banerjee, DPS Rau
Page 02 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
VOLUNTEER IMPACT STORIES Gender Bender, Towards a Healthy World
Madhusudan Rao JENESYS 2011 alumnus Bangalore Chapter
“To deny one’s Human Rights is to challenge the very humanity,” said Nelson Mandela. Embracing gender fluidity and accepting the vivid spectrum of sexuality is a way towards a just and peaceful world. My genuine academic interest in Gender Studies has never failed to take me to places but I had never expected to one-day address a group of youngsters pursuing law, on gender inclusivity, in a prestigious institution like BMS College of Law in Bengaluru.
This was a great feeling. Seeing and interacting with the young minds on how to be change-makers in eradicating the stigma attached to LGBTQIA+ Community and gaining insights from them was an absolute bliss. Organising and executing campaigns on accepting the differences and inclusivity in schools and colleges to sensitise the young minds has become my goal as a responsible individual. As an ally of the queer community and more than that of humanity, I look forward to an inclusive world without judgments and discrimination. AFS as an organisation that promotes a healthy society has definitely influenced me to be this evolved individual who embraces everyone and everything that is part of this world which brings no harm to anyone. I would like to present one of the poems from my anthology titled “Queer Questions”:
What’s more beautiful? What’s more beautiful? Empathy? Or the so called acceptance, As a result of sympathy? What’s more useful? Creating opportunities? Or engaging in existing ones? What’s pride? Being proud of who you are? Or tolerating those who ignore? What’s inclusion? The act of including everyone? Or is it just a fade for everyone? I’ll tell you what’s beautiful Acceptance with empathy is beautiful! Inclusivity with equal opportunities is beautiful Pride without fade is beautiful!
Page 03 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
MEMBER SCHOOL
STORIES
The Essentials of Global Citizenship The concept of global citizenship is immensely diverse. It is about people, culture, planet and their endeavour to work in unison with each one for ensuring sustainable development and global peace. Personally, the GCC program was indeed a great learning experience. It has taught me to understand the need & importance of valuing global diversity & the philosophy of acceptance. As a school leader, the course was just the beginning of the journey, and it will help me to educate the teachers who can further cascade the importance and value of global citizenship to the students who will in turn take efforts to make this world a better place to live in. This also has upscaled my understanding of the fact that people are influenced by their upbringing, and they tend to do things accordingly. Hence, I can say I have moved a level higher further than what I was prior to this program.
Mr Sunil Shriwastav Principal, Kids’ Kingdom Public School, Nanded
Best Experiences ● The online platform had been immensely engaging. ● The sessions not only helped in understanding the philosophy of global citizenship but were also thought-provoking in a sense that initiated personal & professional transformation. ● The sessions with mentor Mr Vijay Gupta who had shared quite valuable information and had also demonstrated inclusive interactions.
The GCC program is hugely useful to educators with the National Education Policy being implemented where the course will enhance the educator’s professional abilities, communication skills & digital skills. In the process from this academic year 2022-23, a Student International Council is being constituted where the students will be engaged in exploring and understanding the global issues & learn the curriculum from a global perspective. Moreover, the Asia Kakehashi alumna of this school Ms. Anushka Anbhule is being involved with the students to create awareness & engage students in international activities organized by AFS. The school has recently registered for becoming Certified Global Citizenship School a UNESCO-NGIEP initiative.
The GCC program has not only impacted my thought process but further motivated me to explore opportunities so as to make global citizenship integral to the school education system. Page 04 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
SCHOOL
STORIES
In- Person Domestic Class Exchange DPS Srinagar & SEMS Anand Delhi Public School, Srinagar got the opportunity to host the delegation of 14 students and 2 teachers from Shrishti English Medium School, Anand from 4 to 11 June 2022. This program gave the students an insight into not only the similarities and differences between the cultures of Gujarat and Kashmir but also the way the two schools function. The entire 8 days schedule was well formulated with activities that facilitated an experiential learning about the school and Kashmiri culture. Throughout the week, the hosted students and teachers had a tremendous cultural immersive experience. The group had a day trip to Dodhpathri, Valley of Milk, a lush green meadow surrounded by a dense forest, snow-capped mountains the Shaliganga river flowing down on its other end. The guests were given a campus tour by Ms. Syed Sumera, Principal, after which they received a warm welcome from Ms. Shafaq Afshan, Coordinator, DPS Srinagar. The Students were taken for a local site-seeing to Dal Lake, Cheshmashahi, Parimahal, Hazratbal Shrine, Zeashta Devi Temple and Shikara Ride. The delegation also had an interaction session with the Chairman of DPS Srinagar, Mr. Vijay Dhar. To have further cultural exposure, the students were taken to Verinag, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Mughal Gardens, Nishat Garden and Shalimar Garden. The hosted delegation also got a chance to have a “Radio Session” with RJ Nasir. The hosted students and teachers were also interviewed on the in-house radio station of DPS Srinagar. With an aim to provide the hosted students an experience of “Kashmiri Home” and step to acclimatize themselves with a new culture, the delegation was invited by a DPS Srinagar Incharge, Ms. Radifa Khan to her house for a pleasant dinner. On the last day of their visit, a combined assembly was held with class XII batch and hosted students. After the assembly, the exchange students performed a “Dandiya Raas” which is a form of their folk dance. Then a valedictory session was held where these students as well as the teachers were felicitated with certificates and mementos by the Principal of DPS Srinagar. This programme was a milestone in the personal and professional journey of both the participating schools. The program structured experiential learning to increase the intercultural competencies and leadership skills of participating students during the Program. The hosted students also shared their own cultures and traditions bridging the gap between all. Page 05 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
ALUMNI
STORIES
6 May - 3 June 2022
My Hungary Trip
Gitansh Kakar, AFS Short Term Hungary Program Pinegrove School, Dharampur My beautiful adventure started on 4 May 2022 when I reached Delhi airport at 11:00 PM and met the fellow 6 exchange students. After a long flight, we reached the Capital of Hungary, Budapest where we were received by AFS Hungary volunteers. The next two days were spent at the Arrival Orientation where we met with an AFS volunteer who had been to India for an exchange program.
After the orientation, we went to Egar and saw the castle and learned its history. We went trailing in a forest and enjoyed the weather at Lake Balaton. Me being a photographer, Szeged was my personal favorite as I enjoyed clicking photographs there. Budapest, the capital was full of beautiful buildings, food, people and culture. After an amazing 10-day trip, it was time for me to meet my host family. My host family took great care of me. Every evening we use to go out walk in the city and they me explore the city. They also took me to a waterpark which was so fun! The school experience was very different as compared to India. Over there everybody was relaxed about there school life and they just enjoyed it. At the time of my return, I was lucky that I could visit the AFS Hungary Office. After attending the closing orientation on 3rd June, we had our flight back to India. For me this trip was very interesting as it became an opportunity for me to learn a lot of things from self-awareness to intercultural awareness. Page 06 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
AFS PROGRAMS FOR
18 YEARS & ABOVE Teaching Assistant Program: Colombia 2022-23 It can seem overwhelming to distinguish yourself in today’s flooded market of talented educators. Here’s why participating in an AFS Program is a life-changing opportunity which may take your teaching career to the next level : ● Experience in an international classroom will transform you into a versatile and adaptable educator. ● Greatly improve your communication skills. ● Develop cross-cultural awareness and widened worldview and understanding ● Experience abroad is a unique resume booster. ● Grow your professional network.
English proficiency among the Colombian population is not very common yet, it is hence, Colombian schools are highly interested in bringing intercultural experience into their classroom and improving the quality of English teaching. The institutions are mainly public schools (colegios) defrayed by the state or religious institutions. In the project the participant would never be alone with his/her tasks, but under continuous supervision. They will work as a teaching assistant supporting the school staff in almost all major fields including English, STEM, Computers, Arts and Physical Education. Depending on the project placement and the participant's language skills, the participant will take part in other pedagogical activities. In some schools, the participant will/can work in further areas, too, such as for example PE, arts, preparing an English singing festival, developing workshops and web pages related to cultural activities. This depends, however, on the institution and what the participant is willing to offer.
Page 07 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
18-65 years.
Participants should be fluent in English since they will teach classes. Spanish fluency is NOT required, with many of our participants new to the language.
The dates of the program are very flexible and the participant can choose an arrival and end date that coincides with the active academic periods of most schools in Colombia: between February and mid-June and between mid-July and midNovember. It is important to note that both the start and end days must be business days during the week (Monday to Friday). IP (4-11 weeks): INR 1,73,351 + VISA + Airfare TR (11-16 weeks): INR 2,33,123 + VISA + Airfare SM (16-36 weeks): INR 2,85,586 + VISA + Airfare YP (36-52 weeks): INR 3,56,209 + VISA + Airfare The Fees includes**: School Placement + 24X7 Counseling and emergency support + Orientations + Emergency support + VISA Documentation Support + Global Competence Certificate + Domestic transfer/transportation to the school/project + accommodation with host family or project (depending on the project) + Meals ** Does not include: independent trips or visits to other local chapters.
After teaching for 8 weeks, the last few days were utterly emotional as me and my students had formed a strong bond - art had united us. I will forever stay indebted to my Colombian friends for arranging meetings with local artists where I had the lifetime experience of learning art of a foreign land from foreign artists. I am thankful to AFS for giving me this lifetime experience of cultural, emotional and artistic exchange. It was indeed the most memorable journey of my life. - Mrs. Tarunpreet Kaur
Page 08 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
HOSTING
STORIES End of Stay Orientation 28-29 June 2022 AFS India bid farewell to the host students of 2021-22 from France and Belgium with an End of Stay Orientation in New Delhi on 29th & 30th June 2022. The orientation was conducted by Ms. Vibhooti Maldhari where she helped the students reflect upon their exchange experiences and look forward to their changemaking journey once they return to their home countries. The participants were then taken on a joyous trip to the Taj Mahal where they had an opportunity to play gully cricket with the children of a local community. Our sincere thanks to our host families, schools, our volunteers, and all the team members for their immense support and help provided throughout the entire year and making the programs such success.
Page 09 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
FOR YOU
Winter in Italy AFS Italy (Intercultura) prides itself on high quality programs, a strong volunteer base and host family placements identified well before the beginning of the program. Intercultura hosts approximately 120 students from various countries who generally have a Southern Hemisphere school calendar for this 2- month scholastic program. The students are placed in one of the 155 local chapters throughout Italy (from the extreme north to the extreme south and the major islands of Sicily and Sardegna), where they will be closely assisted during the entire year by trained volunteers. The host families are particularly enthusiastic about this program, because it includes the Christmas holiday celebrations. During this time, the students can have the chance to create a special bond with their host family and to visit the host community in a special time of the year and might even see snow for the first time in their lives! It is important to remember, however, that this is a school program. Intercultura works with the Italian schools in order to obtain the most suitable program of studies for the students with specific requirements, which often results in personalized school schedules and/or school projects.
Arrival Date:
26 November 2022
Departure Date:
29 January 2023
Age Criteria:
Born between 26 February 2005 to 26 August 2007
Application Deadline:
1 August 2022
Program Fees:
INR 1,78,180 [Visa + Airfare will be additional]
Reach out to us to apply at kuldeep.ghildiyal@afs.org, manjula.devi@afs.org
Pictures Credit : Kaavya Tahlani, AFS Alumna STP Italy 2021 from Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata
Page 10 | June 2022 | Newsletter | AFS India
AFS Mission AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non- governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
AFS Values AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world it acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity, and Intolerance. AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. it encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or social status. AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance. Global competence is the "power skill" young people require to make their impact on an increasingly diverse world. Active global citizens must be prepared to communicated, collaborate and lead across differences to tackle the world’s greatest challenges
Connect with us at:
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AFS Intercultural Programs 163, Ground Floor, Jasola Vihar, Pocket 2 New Delhi, 11025, India www.india.afs.org ┃india@afs.org