University of Guyana students participating in exchange prog. with US institutions

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

Virtually There Exchange Participants with US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt (centre)

GEORGETOWN – The U.S. Embassy, in partnership with the U.S. NGO One World Youth Project (OWYP), the University of Guyana, and educational institutions in the United States and Guyana, is bringing students together in a dynamic cross-cultural exchange. 

The program, “Virtually There:  Expanding Cultural Exchanges Between the United States and Guyana,” is providing an opportunity for eleven students from the University of Guyana to participate in an exchange program to the United States from January 25 to February 2, 2014. 

During the program, participants have the opportunity to engage with their peers from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and Boston University.  Students have met with officials from the Department of State and the U.S. Institute for Peace, as well as Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States to discuss issues that are important to youth in Guyana.  They have also had an opportunity to visit the campuses of Georgetown and Boston University to briefly witness U.S. university student life and participate in community-building and service projects. 

The Virtually There exchange program follows a long-term project spearheaded by OWYP to provide enhanced, multifaceted social media interaction between students and schools and to strengthen global skills training.  OWYP works with UG student leaders throughout the year to develop a service-learning program at the University, whose participants in turn train fellow students to become experts in a global mindset curriculum.  UG students interact virtually through social media with university students at Georgetown University and Boston University.  At the same time, they facilitate weekly lessons and a virtual exchange between the Richard Ishmael Secondary School in Guyana and counterpart classrooms at U.S. middle schools.  The year-long curriculum, as well as the Virtually There exchange, offers these secondary and tertiary students a unique cross-cultural experience to develop global life skills that will enhance their readiness for a range of careers requiring international experience and understanding.