Education Nicaragua Project #2949

First Steps to Cultural Understanding for US Teens

by Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc.

Project Report | Feb 1, 2011
Nicaraguan youth in action

By Amy L. Wiza | program director

Stevens Point Area Senior High School presentation

Nicaraguan and Wisconsin youth continue their involvement

“I had one of the best experiences of all my life last week when I went to Wisconsin speaking about Nicaragua and the Youth Ambassadors program.......which I think is the best way for try to involve new generations of young people in this organization, also is so important to still opening the global vision of the young ...I’ll never forget the friendly people from Wisconsin and I never forget the friendly people from Nicaragua we got this gr8 connection named WNP!!!!!.” Jose Rodriguez

Since his initial visit to Wisconsin with the Partners of the Americas Youth Ambassador program, José has continued his involvement with Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners and has demonstrated dedication and the true spirit of volunteerism, along with an abundance of optimism. José returned to Wisconsin for a short visit to share his life experiences and encourage youth to take advantage of opportunities to be involved with international projects. Over the course of 1 week he presented to well over 300 hundred students at 6 different schools in Wisconsin. Check out this schedule for the Stevens Point high school (they kept him very busy):

1st: 7:35-8:26 in auditorium (powerpoint)

2nd: 8:31-9:22 in auditorium (powerpoint)

3rd: 9:27-10:18 small group informal--no powerpoint

4th:10:23-11:16 small group informal--no power point

5th: 11:21-12:12 free--lunch

6th: 12:14-1:05 in auditorium (powerpoint)

7th: 1:10-2:01 in auditorium (powerpoint)

8th: 2:06-2:57 small group informal--no powerpoint

The dialogue and interactions with fellow students ultimately helps to foster and develop leadership skills among teens as their perspectives are broadened and an increased cultural understanding develops. Person to person diplomacy is nothing new, but easily subordinated or forgotten when the events of central government dominate the news. Citizen exchanges are one of the best practices for achieving cultural understanding.

Currently the youth have several projects in the works – watch for more reports soon about “Giving a Hand to Education” and plans for another summer youth exchange for students from Wisconsin to live with a family for a week or two in Nicaragua.

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