- Half of Kosovo's population is under the age of 30, but according to Brikena, Kosovo's youth feel their voice doesn't matter. Brikena Avdyli, a native Kosovar, is working tirelessly to change that. "Only when we see one another as equals can we start working together to contribute to a better future for our city, country, and ultimately, the world," says Brikena. "This belief, which seems na ve some days, is the reason I choose to work with youth, women, and people with disabilities." Brikena… Read More
- Branko Backovic, a dynamic and motivated student from Despotovac, Serbia, worked hard to pass three rigorous rounds of competition to win an A-SMYLE scholarship. He spent the 2006-07 academic year in the US living with a host family in Lisle, Illinois.Now a graduate of Yale University, Branko works in the financial services industry in New York and is dedicated to helping other students from Serbia.Directing a campaign that has raised $27,000 in scholarship funds for the A-SMYLE Program, Branko… Read More
- Not a Small World After AllInside Higher Ed Enrollments in foreign language courses in the US have decreased by 6.7 percent since 2009 after increasing steadily since 1995 according to a new report by our colleagues at the Modern Language Association (MLA). Language advocates investigate what caused the drop and debate whether it is the beginning of a new trend of moving away from foreign language study. Why Presidents Aren't Bilingual AnymoreMashable Not a single US president since… Read More
- Karen Smith, American Councils Country Director for Armenia, is a big supporter of youth initiatives and cooperation with youth organizations in the country. She often devotes her personal time to share expertise with Armenian students and young professionals interested in learning about other cultures, applying new ideas, and developing professional skills. Karen conducted two workshops in February for students and young professionals at the Leadership School Foundation and American Corner… Read More
- Using their foreign language skills and a little creativity, a group of FLEX alumni in Dushanbe, Tajikistan hosted an art auction, raising over $1,000 to support children with disabilities at the Hissor School Orphanage in the capital.Drawing on a sense of civic service from their FLEX exchange years in the US, the alumni started volunteering at the Hissor School over a year ago. With acquiring a second or third language an increasingly important skill in Tajikistan, every Saturday, the former… Read More
- Over 150 teachers of English from various regions of Moldova attended the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Blogging School Conference in Chisinau, Moldova on February 21st, after successfully completing "Blogging School" training for EFL teachers. So, what is "Blogging School"? Over six months, Moldovan teachers learned how to use blogging as a teaching tool for their classrooms and then shared their newfound knowledge as graduates at the Blogging School Conference. English language high… Read More
- You are cordially invited to attend a lecture by Professor William Brumfield on one of the best preserved villages of the Arkhangelsk oblast Oshevensk, and its Church of the Epiphany. The church, and the remarkable paintings on its interior, are under grave threat, illustrating the fragility of Russia's cultural heritage. Please join us at the American Councils office in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 24th at 3:00pm. When: Tuesday, March 24th, 3:00pmWhere: American Councils Washington D… Read More
- The Kazickas Family Foundation has awarded American Councils for International Education a generous three-year grant to launch the reciprocal component of Exchanges for Culture, Education, and Leadership (ExCEL). For five years, ExCEL has brought Lithuanian high school students to spend an academic year in the US to attend high school and live with an American host family. The newly created ExCEL Abroad program will give US students a similar opportunity: to live with a host family and… Read More
- A pilot project for 25 teachers of English in Moldova is harnessing the popularity of blogs to engage students and increase their interest in learning English. The new American Councils Moldova educational project, which gathers English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers from over 15 districts around Moldova remotely via Google Hangouts, promotes the use of blogs to connect with students and take advantage of online teaching tools. This project is the first of its kind in Moldova- very… Read More
- To anyone familiar with her work, it comes at no surprise that Natia Nasrashvili was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Professional Fellows Program (PFP).From the Ministry of Justice in the Republic of Georgia to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Natia has continued to take great leaps since participating in the fellowship that brought her to the US Congress in 2010.Serving as a Legislative Fellow for US Congressmen Thomas Petri, the experience redefined her understanding of… Read More
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