Community and Schools Outreach
Global Voices - International Education Enrichment

The Global Voices Program allows Bay Area K-12 students the unique opportunity to interact in their own classrooms with distinguished leaders including International Visitor Leadership Program participants and Fulbright students/scholars from around the world. These face-to-face exchanges enable students to gain a better grasp of current international affairs and world geography, as well as increase their awareness of world cultures and languages. In turn, international visitors have the opportunity to observe the U.S. educational system and engage in dialogue with students in an interactive and personal setting. During a classroom visit, international visitors speak about their life and work overseas. Their presentations soon give way to engaging discussions with questions asked by both the students and the international visitors. The long-term presence of Fulbrighters also provides the opportunity for repeat/ongoing school visits, thus establishing deeper connections and relationships. We work with schools in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area, and are particularly committed to outreach in diverse and underprivileged institutions. We have partnered with local organizations such as Project SPERA and the World Affairs Council's Schools Program to more effectively bring global education into the classroom. The Global Voices Program brings into the classroom together two groups with a wealth of knowledge to share, creating a unique exchange and enriching experience for all involved.

"[This was] the most instructive view into American life [of my trip]." -Senior Superintendent of the Narcotics Bureau, Hong Kong Police Department, China.

"The students' interests gave me an idea of what was on their minds. American schools aren't so different from back home." -Senior Policy Official, the Netherlands.

"Students anywhere have few opportunities to meet people from other lands and cultures. [Global Voices] brings both to the classroom. What a great cost and time saver it is to have a 'field trip' in the classroom. It's a great way to raise awareness of global concerns and issues. It puts the flesh and blood into the textbook." -Teacher, Media Academy High School, Oakland

"I didn't know much about Palestinians' social situation and I learned about art as social change and a help to the community" -Student, School of the Arts