This program represents a creative and sustainable way to develop and maintain global connection and citizenship. Forging relationships across language, cultural and geographic boundaries is both financially and emotionally challenging, but Global Buddies provides a guided experience that most people would not seek out on their own. In this global economy, where the world is so 'virtually' connected, it seems essential to promote programs such as these to ensure we also stay connected in a real, positive, and lasting way!
Thanks for your comment. And yes, we agree with you that a direct, concrete connection offers a level of inspiration and meaning that is hard to achieve with virtual connection alone. People change through experience ... and we help them get an experience that most can't achieve on their own, even if they want to. By sharing our relationships in the community with travelers, we give them a chance to connect with the real, daily life of a place and its inhabitants that tourists usually miss.
I'm impressed with the powerful simplicity of this idea...forge relationships make the unfamiliar adults fear familiar before fear sets in and affects our perception of others in our world. It underscores the notion that we're all just people, and perhaps this is necessary for the change we've seen other programs targeting adults fail to make. Also love the photos...recommend each child receives one!
Thanks for taking the time to give us feedback and confirm the power of our idea. We really believe that all of these kids -- both the ones who travel to another country and the local kids who participate in the program -- are changed for good because of their experience. And to be honest, we love the photos too! We've been giving every child -- both traveling and local -- a small photo book to keep after the program is over.
Thanks for your comment. And yes, we agree with you that a direct, concrete connection offers a level of inspiration and meaning that is hard to achieve with virtual connection alone. People change through experience ... and we help them get an experience that most can't achieve on their own, even if they want to. By sharing our relationships in the community with travelers, we give them a chance to connect with the real, daily life of a place and its inhabitants that tourists usually miss.
A little over a year ago, I met someone who I was able provide a first person account as a participant the program. Additionally, a colleague who studies cross cultural relationships provided me with a brief review of the scholarship on the outcomes and effects of such partnership initiatives. There is much to support the social validity of this undertaking. In our current "age of accountability" (and now transparency) the emerging evidence base suggests improved outcomes in cross cultural understanding, culturally responsive practices, and global citizenship as a result of programs like this one. On a more human scale, a mutual extension of hands reaching out to each other can only be good. This project should receive full support for its social benefits and for its potential to increase the scholarship base on the outcomes of such efforts
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Jean A. Boyer
coming from an international background, growing up with racial and global awareness and knowing how critical this is to my own up bringing...I applaud this effort. Let's keep this going and expanding it's impact....!
Comments
great program. It's so important to promote racial and global awareness and understanding.
Thanks for your support! Much appreciated.
This program represents a creative and sustainable way to develop and maintain global connection and citizenship. Forging relationships across language, cultural and geographic boundaries is both financially and emotionally challenging, but Global Buddies provides a guided experience that most people would not seek out on their own. In this global economy, where the world is so 'virtually' connected, it seems essential to promote programs such as these to ensure we also stay connected in a real, positive, and lasting way!
Thanks for your comment. And yes, we agree with you that a direct, concrete connection offers a level of inspiration and meaning that is hard to achieve with virtual connection alone. People change through experience ... and we help them get an experience that most can't achieve on their own, even if they want to. By sharing our relationships in the community with travelers, we give them a chance to connect with the real, daily life of a place and its inhabitants that tourists usually miss.
I'm impressed with the powerful simplicity of this idea...forge relationships make the unfamiliar adults fear familiar before fear sets in and affects our perception of others in our world. It underscores the notion that we're all just people, and perhaps this is necessary for the change we've seen other programs targeting adults fail to make. Also love the photos...recommend each child receives one!
Thanks for taking the time to give us feedback and confirm the power of our idea. We really believe that all of these kids -- both the ones who travel to another country and the local kids who participate in the program -- are changed for good because of their experience. And to be honest, we love the photos too! We've been giving every child -- both traveling and local -- a small photo book to keep after the program is over.
Thanks for your comment. And yes, we agree with you that a direct, concrete connection offers a level of inspiration and meaning that is hard to achieve with virtual connection alone. People change through experience ... and we help them get an experience that most can't achieve on their own, even if they want to. By sharing our relationships in the community with travelers, we give them a chance to connect with the real, daily life of a place and its inhabitants that tourists usually miss.
A little over a year ago, I met someone who I was able provide a first person account as a participant the program. Additionally, a colleague who studies cross cultural relationships provided me with a brief review of the scholarship on the outcomes and effects of such partnership initiatives. There is much to support the social validity of this undertaking. In our current "age of accountability" (and now transparency) the emerging evidence base suggests improved outcomes in cross cultural understanding, culturally responsive practices, and global citizenship as a result of programs like this one. On a more human scale, a mutual extension of hands reaching out to each other can only be good. This project should receive full support for its social benefits and for its potential to increase the scholarship base on the outcomes of such efforts
----------
Jean A. Boyer
coming from an international background, growing up with racial and global awareness and knowing how critical this is to my own up bringing...I applaud this effort. Let's keep this going and expanding it's impact....!
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