Travel

My International Field Experience in Morocco

As part of my TGC Fellowship, I spent two weeks in Morocco during the spring of 2016. During this experience, in addition to visiting various schools, universities, and several cultural sites, I also had the opportunity to spend one full week at a high school in Ait Melloul, Morocco where I was even provided the chance to teach. While I experienced some WiFi connectivity issues while abroad, I did some blogging about my journey. I hope to add to this blog site as I continue with my travels, both here and abroad. You can read about my experiences here: G3: Grateful Guilderland Globetrotter. As part of this fellowship, we were tasked with formulating a research question that we could address while abroad. For my research, I chose to focus on the topic of science education in Morocco. You can read about my findings below.

Teachers and Students: are you interested in travel?

Travel Programs for Educators:

• Teachers for Global Classrooms: The Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (TGC) is a year-long professional development opportunity for US elementary, middle, and high school teachers to become leaders in global education. As a Fellow of the program, you will have the opportunity to complete an 8-week course on global education, attend a global education symposium in D.C., and complete a two or three week international field experience. This is the program that I participated in during the 2015-2016 school year. Through this program I had the opportunity to complete my international field experience in Morocco. This program is amazing! If you are interested in learning more about it, please come chat with me! Applications are typically due in mid-March.
• Earthwatch Institute Teacher Fellowship Program: Each year, we select talented teachers from all subject areas to work side by side with world-class scientists on field research expeditions around the world. From the edge of the Arctic to the coast of Maine, these teachers collect data on climate change, ecology, wildlife, and more. Teachers have the opportunity to learn the scientific process first hand and help to solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Teachers return to the classroom with new perspectives and knowledge, invigorated and inspired to share the experience of real discovery with their students.
• Fund for Teachers: Fund for Teachers supports educators' efforts to develop skills, knowledge and confidence that impact student achievement. By trusting teachers to design unique fellowships, Fund for Teachers grants validate teachers' professionalism and leadership. With this program, you propose the professional development project and then apply for a grant to support it.
• Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad: The program provides short-term study and travel seminars abroad for U.S. educators in the social sciences and humanities for the purpose of improving their understanding and knowledge of the peoples and cultures of other countries.
• Toyota International Teacher Program: Selected teachers travel on a short-term (2-3 week) study tour to a country that is at the forefront of innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The teachers explore environmental issues through hands-on activities and incorporate what they learn into interdisciplinary and solution-focused lesson plans to share with their students and communities in the U.S.
• Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO): GEEO is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and assisting as many teachers as possible to travel abroad and then share their experiences with their students upon their return to the classroom. They offer highly detailed and structured trips abroad for teachers and their spouses (no kids) that run from 1-3 weeks at amazing prices (although airfare is not included). These trips tend to provide experiences that you would not get as a tourist on your own and often include school visitations as well. My husband and I are looking into taking a trip through this organization at some point. I'll keep you posted!
• Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program: The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching (DA) Program provides funding for highly accomplished U.S. primary and secondary level educators to take part in an intensive professional development program for three to six months abroad. The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)

Travel Programs for Students:

• American Youth Leadership Program: The American Youth Leadership Program is a 3-4 week leadership training exchange program for U.S. high school students and adult mentors. Participants travel abroad to gain firsthand knowledge of foreign cultures and to examine globally significant issues, such as the environment and climate change, food security and nutrition, the role of the media, and science and technology.
• Benjamin Franklin Summer Institutes: This institute fosters relationships among the younger generation of Europeans and Americans to build strong linkages and an awareness of shared values. The summer Institute engages 45 teenagers from Europe and ten American teenagers (ages 16 - 18) in a four-week U.S.-based exchange program that aims to reinforce the transatlantic relationship.
• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad: The YES Abroad program provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to develop a perspective of a Muslim culture first-hand. Participants spend an academic year attending a high school while living with a host family in select countries with significant Muslim populations. Participants serve as "youth ambassadors" of the United States, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities. If you have a passion for learning about other cultures, this program may be for you!
• National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y): The NSLI-Y program provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students and recent graduates to learn less commonly taught languages. Participants will spend a summer or academic year studying a language while immersed in the culture and day-to-day life of the host country. If you have a passion for learning languages and want to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, this program may be for you!
• Youth Ambassadors: The Youth Ambassadors Program brings together high school students and adult mentors from countries across the Americas to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities. Participants will engage in workshops, community service activities, team building exercises, meetings with community leaders, and live with local host families. Upon their return home, the students apply what they have learned to implement projects that serve needs in their communities.
• USA Study Abroad: Studying abroad gives you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the 21st century. This site will not only help you discover study abroad opportunities offered by the U.S. government, but also help you discover programs offered by foreign governments around the world.

Photo gallery from my trip to Morocco