ANNUAL REPORT
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FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear friends, 2021 was a year that tested the resilience, nimbleness, and resolve of our iEARN students, educators, and staff. As students transitioned back into their classrooms after many months of distance learning and study abroad programs that had gone virtual in 2020 shifted to a hybrid model, we chartered new territory facing and overcoming obstacle after obstacle. We are proud of all who rose to the occasion and demonstrated the patience, grace, and flexibility needed to make our programs run smoothly and successfully. 2021 was also a year of exciting new opportunities for iEARN-USA. We developed and implemented, Developing Digital Citizenship, a new program funded by FHI 360 & the U.S. Department of State, that brought together nonnative English speaking educators from around the world for their own virtual exchange while preparing them to implement virtual exchange into their classrooms. The program was a resounding success! Perhaps the biggest news item of the year was the launch of our brand new virtual exchange platform, the Collaboration Centre, which built upon iEARN's proud heritage of innovation in education. I want to thank our donors, partners, advisory council and board members for their continued support and encouragement throughout the year. We certainly could not do what we do without you. With Gratitude,
The challenges the world faces today are complex and interconnected. According to Keith Rockwell of the World Trade Organization, "The problems we are encountering now no one can solve alone. We need global cooperation to solve these problems." iEARN-USA equips students with the skills they need to collaborate and bridge divides so they can tackle the global issues that affect us all.
An interconnected, peaceful and just world.
To develop and empower an inclusive global community of students and educators who bridge cultural divides and work together to make a meaningful difference in the world.
FOR STUDENTS iEARN-USA's student programs are centered around international collaboration and exchange. Whether through virtual projects or study abroad programs, iEARN connects American students with peers across the world learn side-by-side about the world and one another. By working and learning together, students gain skills essential to successfully navigate our increasingly interconnected world.
Virtual Exchanges
Study Abroad
FOR TEACHERS As global education leaders and innovators for more than 30 years, iEARN-USA offers its partnering teachers training, resources, and tools, along with a robust international community of educators committed to encouraging and supporting one another and impacting the world for good.
Knowledge & Expertise
Mentorship & Support
Global Community
VIRTUAL EXCHANGES Our online platform, The Collaboration Centre, brings classroom subjects to life through real-world application. Students can test and learn hypotheses through virtual collaboration and develop critical interpersonal skills (like empathy and communication) with peers from differing cultures and backgrounds. Classrooms collaborate around projects that are developed by educators and align with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
STUDY ABROAD The U.S. Department of State sponsors two of our study abroad programs. NSLI-Y (National Security Language Initiative for Youth) offers merit-based scholarships for high school students to travel overseas to learn some of the world's most valuable (yet under-studied) languages in an intensive cultural immersion program.
YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) offers merit-based scholarships for high school students from countries with predominantly Muslim populations to spend an academic year in the United States, learning with local students and participating in community service.
The All-New Collaboration Centre iEARN's new Collaboration Centre launched on September 21, giving our students and teachers around the world a safe, secure platform to connect. The platform provides exciting new tools to support and enhance learning for our virtual exchanges as well as for our study abroad programs for pre-travel preparation. During the first three months of the Collaboration Centre:
129 Countries Accessed the Platform
3,450
Entries Were Posted
20,200 Views By Students & Teachers
The new Collaboration Centre proved to be a strong platform for teachers and students to use various forms of media. Students were making much greater use of videos, Padlets, and digital-based materials to make very effective presentations. By incorporating more visual elements, we were able to make the organization of the Learning Circles project easier to use for the participants.
Barry Kramer, Learning Circles Facilitator
Boston Public Schools Partnership iEARN-USA launched a new partnership with Boston Public Schools (BPS).
83%
75% Teachers Completed the Global Learning Circles Cohort
83% Teachers Continued to Engage with iEARN Projects
Teachers Confident Students Will Develop Better Communication Skills with Diverse Audiences
83% Teachers Confident They Can Increase Cross- Cultural Learning in the Classroom
The highlights were seeing the kids interact with the other schools and how it opened their eyes to some of the similarities and differences cross-culturally. The students were very engaged and they really enjoyed the process.
Bill Hilt (Bill got his whole school on board with iEARN in 2020-2021!)
2021 IN REVIEW
Global Education Hangouts In Global Education Hangouts, teachers across the world come together to find partners for upcoming iEARN projects, encourage one another, and share discussion around a chosen topic. This year, we shared Collaboration Centre tips, talked about the new iEARN project book, and discussed participation in Global Learning Circles. Our more experienced teachers also had the opportunity to mentor teachers new to the iEARN network.
Developing Digital Citizenship Exchange The Developing Digital Citizenship exchange was a 10-week virtual program focused on developing digital citizenship for 39 non-native English language educators including Access teachers and other secondary school teachers. The program equips teachers to teach their students the skills to succeed as digital leaders and citizens. As a final project for the program, participating teachers created presentations that demonstrated how they would use what they learned in their classrooms.
87%
This exchange program was awesome! I can say with total confidence that I am now a digital citizen. I can't keep calm. I will share the knowledge with my students and fellow teachers in presentations, small groups discussions and workshops.
Spellan, Tanzania
Received a Cert ificate for Program Completion
Virtual Project Exhibitions The virtual project exhibitions, held twice in 2021, gave teachers and students the opportunity to share iEARN project outcomes with their peers around the world!
45 STUDENTS
28 EDUCATORS
FROM
PRESENTED ON
15
10
COUNTRIES
iEARN PROJECTS
197
30
ATTENDEES
COUNTRIES
Foreign language learning is frequently undervalued, but the ability to communicate in multiple languages is increasingly vital in today’s world. That is why, since 2009, iEARN-USA has been an implementing organization for the NSLI-Y program which provides full scholarships to U.S. high school students to learn critical languages abroad. Program participants actively engage in citizen diplomacy and increase mutual understanding between the US and host communities through language learning, cultural exploration, and interaction with communities abroad (including living with host families). The NSLI-Y program allows for connections between students from the U.S. and individuals and communities from other countries through language learning and cultural exchange.
In-Person Programming Returns to Taiwan In February of 2021, the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs restored travel for the study abroad language program in Taiwan for the first time since the start of the pandemic. iEARN-USA was the first implementing organization to get students back into in-country programs after Covid-19 and the lessons learned from this pilot have set the pace for the entire NSLIY consortium!
Summer Program in Korea NSLI-Y (National Security Language Initiative for Youth) sent a team of 36 excited teenagers to Korea after a two-year-long hiatus due to the pandemic. According to Kyle Sandmann, NSLI-Y Program Coordinator, safety was always the first priority: “A lot of the prep work that goes into bringing an in-person program back involves contingency planning. It’s coordinating with our partners in Korea, booking quarantine hotels for all the students, making sure we have staff to address any needs that arise, and making sure the students are as safe as possible during travel.”
“I am a confident communicator not afraid of making mistakes. Speaking in a foreign language is always a nerve-wracking experience, but I had the courage to hold conversations with the workers and to ask for directions. I was running the risk of embarrassment, being judged, and awkward misunderstandings, but I was not afraid. But perhaps most importantly, I am a global citizen. Never before had I ever been so dependent on other people, much less on strangers in a foreign country. But by being respectful and open-minded, the world suddenly becomes a gorgeously kind place.”
Angela Li
NSLI-Y Storytelling Competition The NSLI-Y Storytelling Competition, which ran from September 10 to October 11, 2021, was a chance to highlight the transformative experience that the NSLI-Y program provides for youth. The storytelling competition called on alumni to answer one of four prompts, with the opportunity to win NSLI-Y-branded material and gain entry into a creative storytelling workshop
17
2
SUBMISSIONS
11
VIDEOS
3
POEMS
ESSAYS
1
PHOTO ESSAY
Virtual Events NSLI-Y Interactive Virtual Events connect NSLI-Y students and alumni with individuals in the U.S. to share experiences about their NSLI-Y program experience, thereby spreading the impact of the NSLI-Y program and expanding its outreach through online events. Panelists present on: their language learning journeys host country cultures other programmatic experiences Virtual events in 2021 included storytelling advice from Hindi alumni, program projects on the Korean program, a Chinese-language classroom connection event (between schools in the U.S. and NSLI-Y students in Taiwan), overcoming language obstacles on the Persian and Indonesian programs, artistic pursuits on the Hindi and Arabic programs, and communication differences across languages on the Chinese and Turkish programs.
YES (KENNEDY-LUGAR YOUTH EXCHANGE AND STUDY) On Program Students In 2021, YES students came on program for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 170 YES iEARN students from eight countries arrived in the U.S. and moved in with host families across the country. Students had a rich experience over the ten months they spent in the program, and gained much from their host families, schools, and communities:
170
8
STUDENTS
COUNTRIES
Through our conversations, my host father has taught me so many things about his philosophy and views on the world. We’ve discussed perseverance and pragmatism, and he taught me how to forgive and give others second chances. He also taught me how important it is to give back to your community and the importance of diversity. I never thought that my host father could make my exchange experience so great. My words are inadequate to express my gratitude to the U.S Department of State and the YES program for giving me this amazing experience.
Melvin (from Liberia) and his host dad
When I first arrived in the U.S., I wanted to join a sports team at my school because alumni are always saying that sports help exchange students make new friends - and they were right! But I also believe that joining a sports team does so much more than that. Teams teach values that help you grow and prepare for life. In the U.S., all of my friends and host siblings were doing different sports, so I decided to do a sport as well.Many people thought that I couldn’t do wrestling and at times even I thought I couldn’t do it. However, wrestling taught me not only how to tackle my opponent but also how to get out of difficult situations and think through problems. It taught me to take responsibility for my actions, work hard until you achieve your goals, and to not give up even when you think you are going to be defeated.
Taghreed, from Pakistan
Getting to participate in a musical all became possible thanks to the huge support of my host family, my host school, cast members, and especially to the musical society of our school and all the community members who came to watch us. I would not have had this opportunity with being a YES exchange student. I’m even planning to do some theater when I go back to Pakistan! Thank you so much to the YES Program, the U.S. Department of State, and my placement organization, AFS, for giving me such opportunities so I can learn more about myself.
Husnain, from Pakistan
Country Coordinator Professional Development Attended by iEARN YES Country Coordinators and staff from the following countries:
In Attendance
Bangladesh, Cameroon, Israel Arab Communities, Liberia, Mali, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Suriname Bangladesh
Cameroon
Israel Arab Communities
Liberia
Mali
Pakistan
Coordinators attended four professional developments: Leveraging social media for program impact training Finance training
Sierra Leone
Suriname
An asynchronous reporting training Understanding Mental Health training
Webinars In 2021, the YES team at iEARN-USA implemented five webinars. The virtual events focused on a variety of topics and were implemented in diverse formats including Instagram Live interviews, meeting style discussions, and traditional Zoom webinars. The events covered the following topics: Volunteering for Global Youth Service Day (Instagram live interview series) Leveraging your LinkedIn Profile Transforming Food Systems for International Youth Day Monitoring & Evaluation for Community Projects Citizenship Diplomacy
300
PARTICIPANT S
3400 INSTAGRAM VIEWS
19 GUEST SPEAKERS
Alumni Programming The YES program doesn't end once students return to their home countries at the end of the academic year. Students become alumni who expand on and practice what they learned about volunteerism, community service, and citizen responsibility during their exchange year. iEARN-USA is proud to provide opportunities for alumni to develop skill sets and knowledge to have a greater impact on their local and global communities.
Deborah describes her YES experience as “the beginning of the fearless, bold, tough, persistent, and resilient woman that I am today, changing the sad narratives of females and breaking barriers and bias in my country.” Since her return, she hasn’t stopped using her voice, U.S. experience, and connections to foster change and break female limits and stereotypes in the male dominant society of Liberia. She founded the nonprofit, WeCanLiberia, which has significantly impacted people in her local community.
Deborah, from Liberia 135
500 LIVES IMPACTED BY WECANLIBERA
100
GIRLS RECEIVED SCHOOL SUPPLIES
GIRLS ATTENDED HER MENSTRUAL HYGIENE WORKSOP
4 CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND SCHOOL
Workshops YES Stories In 2021, iEARN-USA implemented the YES Stories Workshop to train YES alumni to identify, share, and present impact stories that ultimately share the mission of the YES program. Participants learned how to turn their YES memories into captivating, dramatic, funny, powerful, and engaging stories. Not only did the participants become expert storytellers by the end of the workshop, but they also brainstormed methods to use storytelling to create community service projects, advance their professional careers, stay connected with others overseas, and share the impact of the YES program with prospective students and their families.
100% SATISFIED WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE
100%
94%
IMPROVED SPEAKING SKILLS
GAINED RESOURCES
Project Management in Practice From September 23 to October 21, iEARN-USA implemented the Project Management in Practice workshop for 41 YES alumni from Cameroon, Liberia, Mali and Sierra Leone. The Project Management in Practice workshop was a four-week hybrid in-person and virtual workshop focused on strengthening the iEARN YES alumni community in West and Central Africa and enhancing the participants’ skills in project management, sustainability, and maximizing community impact through their alumni work. Through interactive in-person and virtual sessions, alumni developed a sustainable project centered on entrepreneurship.
41
4
ALUMNI
NATIONS
$2000
GRANTS GIVEN TO EACH NATION
100%
LEFT CONFIDENT IN THEIR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS
92%
FELT CONFIDENT IN DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
2021 FINANCIALS
Total Revenue: $3,778,775
Fund Development Overhead 1% $27,805 14%
$542,831
$3,171,448
Program 85%
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hady Amr Hisham Anwar Mona Eraiba Alessia Falsarone Barry Kramer Arun Kumar Margaret Riel Dr. Jason Van Heukelum George Warnock
ADVISORY COUNCIL Christy Allison Cathy Healy Lisa Jobson Teresa Kennedy Jessie Lee Camilla Modisett Ann Tollefson
PARTNERS WGBH Educational Foundation FHI360 American Councils for International Education U.S. Department of State American Universities
In Gratitude DONORS *** Denotes a donation of $5000 or more Anwar Abdulbaki A.J. Aiseirithe Mary Amoon-Hickey Hady Amr*** Anonymous Hisaham Anwar *** Joseph Bearak Maria Beebe Jeff & Carol Benesch Barbara Berry Kathy Bosiak Steve Bosiak Nicolle Boujaber-Diederichs Amy Brelia Brodsky Family Foundation *** Ruth Carlson Hui Chang Jennifer Change Maddie Cidlik Karen Clarke The Copen Family Fund *** Custom Ink LLC Mona Eraiba *** Allen Evans Christa Andrea Faber Alessia Falsarone *** Robert Feenstra Katie Flynn Theresa Frediani Paul Gibb Michelle Gomez Ed Gragert
Leigh Llewellyn Graham Joy Gutos Cathy Healy Julia Heitner Robert Holmes Laura H Irwin Barbara Jajs Lisa Jobson Teresa Kennedy Pooja Khurana Sigme Knutson Barry Kramer Arun Kumar Christina Lam Lois Leatherman Nicholas Lelievre Laurence & Jane Levine *** Rob Madrid Rachel Manley Joseph Marchese Ali Meighan Kevin Mille Christa Miller Sandra and Haydn Mohr Gilbert and Leigh Muro Debra Neighbors Laura Nietzer Stephan Offerman Eva Ortiz James & Stefanie Ortiz-Cidlik Tyler Paulson Portland State University
In Gratitude DONORS *** Denotes a donation of $5000 or more Posner-Wallace Foundation *** Gilles Randon Randon Family Connie Rensink Margaret Riel-Mehan *** Magaly Roman David Russell Jake Russell Jennifer Russell Tom Russell Kyle Sandmann Warren Sandmann William Stee Bridget Stout Aya Takemoto Elise Teichman Jason Van Heukelum *** Erin W George Warnock *** Nicole Weitzner Cathy Wilson