Category Archives: ExchangeOpportunities

The Community ACTion Ukrainian Style 2014, Ukraine

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Deadline:  31 May 2014
Open to: volunteers from around the globe (age 19+)
Venue: 11-21 July 2014, Ternopil, Ukraine

Description

CACTUS (Community ACTion Ukrainian Style) is an international English language program that involves Ukrainian and international volunteers and youth leaders, and is aimed at promoting civic society development and youth activism in the next generation of young leaders in Ukraine.

This year, the CACTUS Forum will take place in July 11-21, 2014 in the city of Ternopil in Western Ukraine. The forum is prefaced by a three-day staff training period. During this time, staff members learn more about project design, Team Time activities, social events, games, activities, and collaborate with their teaching partners to put final touches on their lesson plans. Each staff member is a team leader, a project design teacher, a teacher of an elective subject (courses agreed upon every June), social event organizer, as well as required to do other small duties such as set up coffee breaks and escort participants to different locations.

The 10 – day forum is a high-energy, all-English speaking forum in which the seventy participants are separated into six teams led by two to three staff members. The teams each have their own name, color, motto, and song. While staff members stress the importance of bonding to participants with their teammates, all participants interact with each other through their various classes so as to increase the feel of a genuine community.

The most important aspect of the CACTUS camp is learning how to identify, design, and implement a community project relevant to the participants. The Project Design classes are made up of participants from roughly the same region of Ukraine so that each participant will have one to two others to collaborate on a project with. There are usually about 12-15 regional participant groups. The teachers and mentors for each group of participants are those staff members that are geographically closest to the regional groups. Mentors assist, but do not lead, the groups throughout the entire project.  During these lessons, participants learn all the steps for creating a project (identifying community needs and resources), designing the decided project (creating an action plan and assigning jobs to each participant), funding a project, and writing a grant. Unlike other current programs in Ukraine, every regional group will have the opportunity to apply for a CACTUS grant in the amount of 300-500 UAH (depending on CACTUS’ funding). After the summer forum, participants then implement their project with the aid of their staff mentors. Once the project is complete, they must properly close the grant.

Aside from Team Time and the Project Design classes, participants choose two extra classes that they are interested in. The list of offered courses varies from year to year according to staff’s desire and knowledge base. However, in its five years, CACTUS camp always offers the immensely popular Spanish language class. This past year, Photography, Spanish, Healthy Lifestyles, African Culture, World Religions, Music, Art and Poetry, Journalism, Professional Advancement, Public Speaking and Rhetoric, the Counselor in Training program, Economics, Psychology, and English Slang and Colloquial Speech classes were offered. Large periods of free time are also included in the schedule. This allows participants and staff members to bond with one another through organized and unorganized activities such as sports, games, art projects, and clubs. In addition, every night features a social event. Planned almost entirely by staff members (with one night organized by Counselors-in-Training), social events vary from scavenger hunts around Ternopil, dances, lectures about social issues, movie night, and so on. Eight out of the ten days are dedicated to classes. On the very first day this year we will also have our all-CACTUS clean-up in Ternopil and use this project as an example for the PDM activities. On a Sunday, staff members will host a picnic for participants that will end with a movie night. The final day of CACTUS will be the community service project presentations.

Eligibility

All volunteers who:

  • are 19 and older;
  • are fluent in English (any other language is a plus)
  • would like to discover Ukraine and meet young Ukrainian activists and people from other parts of the world and help Ukrainian youth make a positive change in their country are eligible to apply.

 

No special qualification is needed. Staff will be required to teach an elective class, but it is mostly up to them which one to choose.

Costs

The program covers accommodation and meals, as well as materials necessary for the lessons and other activities. Transportation to and from Ukraine will be covered by staff.

Application

Please go to http://cactusua.org/ and find the link on the homepage  to fill out the CACTUS Staff application online by 31 May, 2014. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes of the evaluation by June 7, 2014 at the latest.

 

If you have questions, please contact us:

E-mail: cactus.ua@gmail.com

Website: http://cactusua.org/

 

The Tyumen Summer School 2014, Russia

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Deadline:  15 June 2014
Open to: participants who are interested in intercultural communications, Russian culture and language.
Venue: 14-27 September 2014, Tyumen, Russia

Description

The two-week Summer School will take place in Tyumen, Russia, on 14-27 September 2014. The Western Siberia today is a unique region where we can see the combination of the growing economy, the peculiarities of administrative and territorial organization and the indigenous cultures of the people populating it. The history of the Western Siberia which had started in the ancient times includes many stages – from the continuous exploring by the indigenous peoples till its inclusion into the political interests of the different medieval powers (as Golden Orda, Siberian khanstvo, Moscow Russia). Under modern times the Western Siberia was an outpost for the Russian colonization to the East. The new stage of the Western Siberia exploring began in the 1970s with oil and gas production. Today these mineral resources are the ground of the Siberian economy but the life of the region does not limit itself with that. The Western Siberia is a continuum of cross-roads of traditional culture of khantys, mansis, tatars with the cultures and customs of those who came to explore rich territories behind the Ural. This factor has been creating for many years the ground of interethnic and intercultural dialogue.

In that sense the idea of the summer school “Siberian Western: Life, History and Culture” is to give to its participants academic and practical experience in constructing their own image of the new territory on the example of Western Siberia by means of a gradual distancing behind frontiers and a well-known “locality”. The Western Siberia for Russia represents such a frontier. That is why within the summer school we offer a various group of methods to “moving” further to the Western Siberia: from academic lectures on human geography, history of Western Siberia exploration, sociology and even political studies of the region to workshops and “round-tables”, excursions and ethno-geographical expeditions. As a result participants should present their film about their image of Western Siberia.

The first part of the school will be dedicated to the educational ground which contains courses of the Russian languages for foreign students and the courses of the German one for Russian students, the academic lectures on different disciplines. The second part presumes practical learning through visiting suburbs and towns of indigenous people settlements, Museum of oil and gas production and Western Siberian Technopark, corporate field visits to enterprises and the tour to “Jugra” to Khanty-Mansiisk etc. and through attending workshops on movie production with the consultancy of university channel “Eurasion”. The last can help participants to make a group feedback of the school.

The target group of the summer school is young and active students who would like to get an experience of field-research, working in groups, intercultural communications, regional studies and social projecting. Taking part in the summer school participants can get the knowledge and practices on common research of history, culture and society of a region from many sides in order to create their own image of the Western Siberia and to give suggestions to its improvement. The summer school will take place during the 14-27 of September 2014. This time the participants will have a good opportunity to enter into the new educational year. Thus, they can get more full and comprehensive acknowledgement with students, lectures and life of Tyumen State University as well.

Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible to apply, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:

Foreign students currently studying abroad or in Russia, who are interested in intercultural communications, Russian culture and language.

  • Language requirements: English (Intermediate), Russian (Elementray to Intermediate).
  • Age requirements: 18-30 years old
  • Number of students: min – 15, max – 20

Costs

670 € (including classes, handouts, accommodation, meals, cultural activities, bus transfers, visa support).

German students can apply for the DAAD grant. For more information please visit http://goeast.daad.de/

Application

Application must be sent to: Gulnara Aitova, Ph.D. :    tarkviniya@mail.ru

Application includes:

  • Scanned copy of passport
  • Medical insurance
  • CV
  • Motivation letter

 

Application deadline: June 15th, 2014

If you have any questions,  write to: tarkviniya@mail.ru

The official web-page.

 

The International Summer University in Georgia

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Deadline:  1 July 2014 –  for international participants ; 23 July 2014 –  for georgian participants
Open to: participants Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Belarus, Estonia, Israel, Iran, India, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, USA, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Arab countries, Balkans, etc
Venue: 12-18 August 2014, Bakuriani, Georgia, Hotel “Vere Palace”, Mountain Resort

Description

The New Economic School Georgia stands for private property, individual liberty and personal dignity in order to improve world in which we live and make it just, diverse and comfortable. The International Summer University will be held oin Bakuriani, Georgia, Hotel “Vere Palace”, Mountain Resort.

Dates: August 12-18, 2013

Place:Bakuriani, Georgia, Hotel “Vere Palace”, Mountain Resort.

Language: English

Organizer:
– New Economic School – Georgia

Partners:
– Freedom Works (USA)

Lecturers:

  • – Dr. Randal Holcombe, Professor of Economics, Florida State University, USA;
  • – Dr. Pierre Garello, Professor of Economics, Paul Cezanne University, Aix en Provence, director of IES-Europe, France;
  • – Paata Sheshelidze, President, New Economic School – Georgia;
  • – Gia Jandieri, Vice-president, New Economic School – Georgia;

Eligibility

Participants of the Summer School can be from:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Belarus, Estonia, Israel, Iran, India, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, USA, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Arab countries, Balkans, etc;

 

Costs

Financial Support:
NESG covers:
1. Accommodation expenditures for all participants;
2. Three times meals for all participants;
3. Travel expenditures of selected participants from following countries;

  • All Participants pay fee of 100 EURO;
  • NESG is responsible for purchasing of flight tickets for the selected participants;
  • NESG is responsible for accommodation reservation;

NESG is not responsible for:

– Health insurance and services;
– Tickets for not-selected participants;
– Other additional expenses;

Special offer for donors:
– An organization or person who is willing to support summer University could nominate candidates for participation or create scholarship for applicants.
– Amount for one scholarship: 380 USD + international travel expenses.

Application

Deadline:
a) for International applications: July 1st, 2014,
b) for foreign participants applying for travel grant, application deadline is June 9 , 2014
c) for Georgian participants: July 23, 2014

– Selected participants from foreign countries will be contacted before July 5.
– Selected Participants from Georgia will be announced at: July 28
– Every selected participant will receive reading materials by email and then a complimentary book: Public Choice – A Premier

– Candidates must sent CV and motivation letter to email: university@nesgeorgia.org ;
– Travel grants for foreign participants are limited. Applicants should note about their need of travel grant;
– The travel grant doesn’t include the participation fee;
– There is no visa requirement for the citizens of listed above countries;

 

If you have any questions, write to:university@nesgeorgia.org

Phone: + 995 322 399 375; Cell phone:+ 995 593 280 433
Email: university@nesgeorgia.org

The official web-page.

 

The Peace Conference of Youth 2014 in Osaka, Japan

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Deadline:  30 May 2014
Open to: students who are aged 25 or under as of August 2014
Venue: 25-30 August 2014, Osaka city, Japan

Description

The Peace Conference of Youth [PCY] 2014 is not intended to be a closed debate. Ideas and proposals generated by the groups will be presented in an open discussion environment to discover the best ways to achieve “lasting peace on Earth”. It will be an environment to gauge opinions and make connections. The starting point for sustainable actions and problem- solving solutions is for young people to actually feel that the would can be changed by small actions taken by themselves. The theme of PCY 2014 is “Expanding region harmony from education”. We would like you to challenge yourselves to make a feasible Action Plan through discussions and presentations. The PCY (Peace Conference of Youth) is a program aimed to cultivate leaders who can take proactive actions and use their initiative for the achievement of world peace. Junior Chamber International Osaka (JCI Osaka) provides an opportunity for students from all over the world to learn and discover world peace, and to reach a conclusion of what needs to be done for world peace. We hope that members of PCY will use the International network constructed since 2010 in the continues effort and action to bring a permanent world peace to reality. The PCY provides an opportunity for students to learn about a number of different programs during the pre-event activities. Guest speakers will be invited for learning more about contribution to international peace as preparation at pre-PCY. Participants will be able to picture ideal world by learning what is actually done in the real world. Discussion at pre-PCY will be deepened by sharing knowledge and experience with students from different countries. All the participants build up ideas and proposals by working together and the problem-solving plans will be implemented.

Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible to apply, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:

  1. Applicant must be aged 25 or under as of August, 2014. Must be an active university or graduate student who can attend all events during the program.
  2. Former participants or students may NOT apply.
  3. Applicant must join PCY2014.

Costs

We at PCY（Peace Conference of Youth） strongly support the fostering of young leaders able to make a change actively.
To offer students from around the world with vitality, who can look into the future, a place to play an active part in making change, JCI OSAKA will provide the following expenses needed to participate in PCY.

Transportation Expenses:

For distant participants, Shinkansen expense to Shin-Osaka or Airplane expense to Osaka.
Expense needed to move during PCY.
※We asked that transportation expense needed to move from participants home to the nearest Shinkansen station or airport, and from Shin-Osaka or airport to meeting place (Osaka) for domestic students will be personal expense.

Travel Expense:

  • Accommodation Fee（Designated accommodation by JCI OSAKA）
  • Meal Fee（Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided by JCI OSAKA during stay）

Overseas training（Domestic student only)
We will post further details as soon as details have been decided.

Application

Deadline is May 30th, 2014 (Domestic students, Exchange students studying in Japan, Students studying outside of Japan). The selection results will be sent to all applicants around the end of June by e-mail.

Download the application entry form from HERE before applying.

In order to apply, register HERE.

If you have any questions, contact Here

The official web-page.

 

The Peace Conference of Youth 2014 in Osaka, Japan

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Deadline:  30 May 2014
Open to: students who are aged 25 or under as of August 2014
Venue: 25-30 August 2014, Osaka city, Japan

Description

The Peace Conference of Youth [PCY] 2014 is not intended to be a closed debate. Ideas and proposals generated by the groups will be presented in an open discussion environment to discover the best ways to achieve “lasting peace on Earth”. It will be an environment to gauge opinions and make connections. The starting point for sustainable actions and problem- solving solutions is for young people to actually feel that the would can be changed by small actions taken by themselves. The theme of PCY 2014 is “Expanding region harmony from education”. We would like you to challenge yourselves to make a feasible Action Plan through discussions and presentations. The PCY (Peace Conference of Youth) is a program aimed to cultivate leaders who can take proactive actions and use their initiative for the achievement of world peace. Junior Chamber International Osaka (JCI Osaka) provides an opportunity for students from all over the world to learn and discover world peace, and to reach a conclusion of what needs to be done for world peace. We hope that members of PCY will use the International network constructed since 2010 in the continues effort and action to bring a permanent world peace to reality. The PCY provides an opportunity for students to learn about a number of different programs during the pre-event activities. Guest speakers will be invited for learning more about contribution to international peace as preparation at pre-PCY. Participants will be able to picture ideal world by learning what is actually done in the real world. Discussion at pre-PCY will be deepened by sharing knowledge and experience with students from different countries. All the participants build up ideas and proposals by working together and the problem-solving plans will be implemented.

Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible to apply, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:

  1. Applicant must be aged 25 or under as of August, 2014. Must be an active university or graduate student who can attend all events during the program.
  2. Former participants or students may NOT apply.
  3. Applicant must join PCY2014.

Costs

We at PCY（Peace Conference of Youth） strongly support the fostering of young leaders able to make a change actively.
To offer students from around the world with vitality, who can look into the future, a place to play an active part in making change, JCI OSAKA will provide the following expenses needed to participate in PCY.

Transportation Expenses:

For distant participants, Shinkansen expense to Shin-Osaka or Airplane expense to Osaka.
Expense needed to move during PCY.
※We asked that transportation expense needed to move from participants home to the nearest Shinkansen station or airport, and from Shin-Osaka or airport to meeting place (Osaka) for domestic students will be personal expense.

Travel Expense:

  • Accommodation Fee（Designated accommodation by JCI OSAKA）
  • Meal Fee（Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided by JCI OSAKA during stay）

Overseas training（Domestic student only)
We will post further details as soon as details have been decided.

Application

Deadline is May 30th, 2014 (Domestic students, Exchange students studying in Japan, Students studying outside of Japan). The selection results will be sent to all applicants around the end of June by e-mail.

Download the application entry form from HERE before applying.

In order to apply, register HERE.

If you have any questions, contact Here

The official web-page.

 

Building an OSCE Youth Network in Georgia 2014

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Deadline:  31 May 2014
Open to: participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years old
Venue: June-December 2014, Tbilisi, Georgia

Description

With 57 participating States in North America, Europe and Asia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization. It promotes a unique approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic / environmental and human aspects (the OSCE “three dimensions of security”). The OSCE also conducts many practical activities in various countries and offers a forum for political dialogue on a wide range of issues relating to European security.

This project aims at promoting dialogue between the OSCE and Georgian civil society, in particular youth. It is developed in partnership by the OSCE and the Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly – Georgian National Committee (hCa GNC). A number of young leaders – such as students, academics, NGO representatives – will be invited to participate in the programme which will take place in Tbilisi from June to December 2014. Participants will be expected to participate in a cycle of briefings and events to learn and actively discuss OSCE values and work on security in Europe. The objective of this initiative is to facilitate the establishment of a youth network, focussing on the OSCE, which will in the long run participate in other OSCE activities and develop initiatives related to OSCE topics.

The synopsis of the program:

  • An orientation course will be delivered by an OSCE representative to mark the official start of the project;
  • A cycle of thematic meetings will be organized. Each meeting will focus on a specific topic, relating to security in Europe. Experts from the OSCE, Georgian officials and independent experts will be invited to present and engage in discussions with participants;
  • Selected participants will be asked to contribute to various publications (the OSCE Security Community Magazine, Youth OSCE website, social networks etc.);
  • A simulation exercise of the OSCE Permanent Council (Model OSCE) will be organized in Tbilisi to conclude the cycle;
  • Three participants will be invited to participate in a study trip to Vienna.

The programme will start in June 2014 and end in December 2014. All participants will be informed in advance about the date and venue of each meeting conducted within the project. The main activities of the programme will take place in Tbilisi; some meetings may take place in other regions of Georgia.

 

Eligibility

Approximately 60 youth from across Georgia and abroad will be selected by the team representing the OSCE and hCa GNC.

Selection criteria:

  • Young leaders / activists / students / researchers / NGO members between ages 18-35;
  • Residing in Georgia or any other country / region of the OSCE area;
  • English language competency;
  • Have an interest and basic knowledge of the OSCE’s scope of work and OSCE organizations and structures;
  • High motivation to learn about the OSCE;
  • Availability to actively and regularly participate in the OSCE Youth Network and in all activities of the programme.

Participation of young people with at least 2 years’ experience and proven track record of involvement and engagement within their community (i.e. involvement in the NGO sector, student’s unions, local and national political parties, online democracy and human rights associations, political parties and NGOs) is encouraged. The participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups (minorities, people with disabilities etc.)  is encouraged as well.

Gender balance, as well as geographic diversity, variety of experiences, cultural backgrounds and organisations will be ensured.

Application

A short list will be established on the basis of the applications received. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview ahead of the final selection (including Skype-interview).

Deadline : 31 May 2014

In order to apply, register HERE   and by sending their CV to osceyouth.info@gmail.com (Please indicate in e-mail subject name/surname and OSCE YOUTH e.g: ,,Naniko Gadelia OSCE Youth’’)

All applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process by the first week of June 2014.

 

The Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program & U.S. Diversity Fellowship 2014

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Deadline: 13 June 2014 for non-US citizens. US citizens may apply on a rolling basis
Open to: practitioners and researchers with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the nonprofit/NGO/grantmaking field
Fellowship: costs of tuition, accommodation in Manhattan, economy air travel to and from New York City, and reimbursement for selected program-related costs

Description

The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society’s Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program provides leadership training through seminars with Third-Sector practitioners, research based on best practices, and the application of a comparative framework. Fellowship awards are available for emerging leaders at community foundations, at place-based grant-making organizations and institutions that support community philanthropy.

Those interested in strengthening community philanthropy and building capacity in local Third-Sector institutions are encouraged to apply. This year’s Fellows will be selected from abroad and also from communities of color under-represented in the U.S. grant-making sector.

Fellows are based at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where they design and pursue an individualized research project. In addition, they attend weekly seminars, explore work of key agencies and foundations, meet with nonprofit leaders and study U.S. and international community foundation models.

In addition to offering fellowship awards for the study of community foundations, the Center accepts proposals that explore other Third-Sector/civil society topics from applicants interested in participating on a tuition basis. The program will run from Monday September 22 to Friday December 12, 2014.

Eligibility

The program is open to:

  • Practitioners and researchers in the US and overseas;
  • College or university degree holders with strong spoken and written English language skills;
  • TOEFL scores or equivalent are requested from those whose education was in a language other than English.  Alternately, please provide a statement describing your facility with the English language within your professional sphere;
  • Applicants should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the nonprofit/NGO/grant-making field;
  • Award recipients must have a strong institutional base and be well-placed to implement research recommendations;
  • Preference is given to candidates who are 1) affiliated with a community foundation or initiatives to support community philanthropy development, and 2) who illustrate in their proposals a clear interest in furthering the work of community foundations or strengthening the local culture of philanthropy;
  • Candidates affiliated with other institutions in the philanthropy sector who submit proposals on current trends and practices in philanthropy (other than community foundations) may apply for consideration on a tuition basis or with financial support from individual or institutional sponsors;
  • Participation on a tuition basis or with financial support from individual or institutional sponsors is open to all, regardless of country of origin or residence. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements detailed above to be considered for participation on a tuition or sponsorship basis. For further details, please send an e-mail request to cpcs@gc.cuny.edu.

Fellowship

A select number of full fellowship awards are available, which cover tuition, accommodations and other program-related costs. These are earmarked for citizens of countries other than the United States or for Americans from communities under-represented in the grant-making sector.

Full fellowship awards cover the costs of tuition, single-room dormitory accommodations with shared facilities at International House (adjacent to Columbia University) in Manhattan, economy air travel to and from New York City, and reimbursement for selected program-related costs. Tuition-based or institutionally-supported appointments may also be made, pending approval by the selection committee.

Application

The deadline for non-U.S. citizens is 13 June 2014. For individuals living and working in the United States applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and may currently be submitted for review.

To apply, prospective candidates should complete and submit the online application form. Notification of application status will be made via e-mail in the week of 1 July 2014 to each individual who has submitted a complete application package (including a CV and proposal) for consideration. Should you have any questions, please send an e-mail to cpcs@gc.cuny.edu. Please indicate “ELIFP 14″ in the subject line.

For more information, please see the official website.

 

 

Volunteers needed in Thailand

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The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is seeking forward-thinking, dynamic individuals of all ages/backgrounds to contribute to our children’s home Thailand, as part of our Work-Study Volunteer Program.

 

●Caring for kids, teaching, organising workshops/activities

●Work with our Media, Fundraising and Online Outreach teams

●Learn about poverty and development

 

Each IHF center is a product of its environment and follows the cultural code and norms of its host country, so there are different programs in each center. Our Thailand center is a home for hill-tribe children. Children from this marginalized community come to our center for a stable home and a chance for an education.

 

Your work as a volunteer with IHF will be divided between local and international tasks. Locals tasks are teaching English, and assisting with the care of our children and organising activities. There are also additional projects to help with periodically.

 

For your international tasks you will be assigned teams, made up of volunteers in all centers, and work on administrative tasks for not just the center you are staying in, but the whole organisation. Areas assigned include Online Outreach, Media and Fundraising. This is a great opportunity to experience not only the hands on, in-field side of development, but also the overall management and running of an international organization. If you are not interested in these tasks, contact us about our Voluntourist program. Some pre-trip tasks must be completed in order to gain an understanding of the kind of work you will be doing.

 

●     Fluent written and spoken English is required

●     Minimum stay is 4 weeks

●     Cost: $55 – $75 per week

●     Basic food and accommodation included

●     Cost decreases for longer stays

 

Please take the time to familiarize yourself further with our organization – www.ihfonline.org.  And  to our blog  http://ihfblog.wordpress.com/home/.

 

If you have any questions at this time, feel free to e-mail one of our helpful volunteers – volunteering@ihfonline.org .  If you’re ready to apply visit: http://www.ihfonline.org/volunteering.

 

IHF is an Inspiring Story! Check this out: http://tourism.wildasia.org/2562/pass/

 

Innovate Heritage, 6-8 June, Berlin, Germany

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International Conference and Artistic Program
Dates: June 6-8, 2014 | Berlin, Germany

Extended Deadline: May 20th, 2014

Innovate Heritage: Conversations between Arts and Heritage is based out of the World Heritage Studies program at the Brandenburgische Technische Universität (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany, will focus on exploring relationships and overlapping aspects of heritage and the arts, jumping from a foundational knowledge base in UNESCO World Heritage into an expanded, tactile, and exploratory perspective, looking at the subtexts of heritage in collaboration with the arts.

The three-day program, composed of lectures, seminars, panel discussions, exhibitions, performances, and films, creates a platform by which participants gain a stronger insight towards the nexuses between Heritage and Arts from various cultural perspectives, working practices and theoretical approaches. The Program of conference, with speakers from over 15 countries, is now available online with full schedule and biographies of speakers and artists.

The registration fee is 60 EUR per person, with a discounted fee of 40 EUR for artists and 30 EUR for students (updated fees with an additional €10 via the extended deadline).

If you are interested in attending this exciting new initiative, we invite you to complete our Online Registration for by the deadline of 20 May 2014 in order to participate in the conference proceedings and artistic program. We look forward to welcoming you to the Innovate Heritage: Conversation between Art and Heritage conference in Berlin this June!

Yours Sincerely,
Innovate Heritage Organizing Team

Innovate Heritage: Conversations between Arts and Heritage

June 6 – 8, 2014 | Berlin, Germany

Follow us on: facebook | twitter

 

How Studying or Working Abroad Makes You Smarter

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Research shows that experience in other countries makes us more flexible, creative, and complex thinkers.

These are the conclusions of a growing body of research on the effects of study- and work-abroad experiences. For example: A study led by William Maddux, an associate professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD, found that among students enrolled in an international MBA program, their “multicultural engagement”—the extent to which they adapted to and learned about new cultures—predicted how “integratively complex” their thinking became.

That is, students who adopted an open and adaptive attitude toward foreign cultures became more able to make connections among disparate ideas. The students’ multicultural engagement also predicted the number of job offers they received after the program ended.

More generally, writes Maddux, “People who have international experience or identify with more than one nationality are better problem solvers and display more creativity, our research suggests. What’s more, we found that people with this international experience are more likely to create new businesses and products and to be promoted.”

Angela Leung, an associate professor of psychology at Singapore Management University, is another researcher who has investigated the psychological effects of living abroad. She reports that people with more experiences of different cultures are better able to generate creative ideas and make unexpected links among concepts.

Like Maddux, Leung found that the advantages of living abroad accrue to those who are willing to adapt themselves to the ways of their host country: “The serendipitous creative benefits resulting from multicultural experiences,” she writes, “may depend on the extent to which individuals open themselves to foreign cultures.” This openness, she adds, includes a tolerance for ambiguity and open-endedness, a lack of closure and firm answers.

Could it be that people who choose to study or work in other countries are already more inclined to be complex and creative thinkers? David Therriault, associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Florida, anticipated this possibility. He and his coauthors administered creative thinking tasks to three groups of undergraduates: students who had studied abroad, students who were planning to study abroad, and students who had not and did not plan to study abroad. The students who had actually studied abroad outperformed the two other groups in creative thinking.

Studying or working in another country can make us better thinkers—more flexible, creative, and complex—if we’re willing to adapt and learn from other cultures. As the title of an article by William Maddux advises: “When in Rome . . . Learn Why the Romans Do What They Do.”

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