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World Heritage Seeks Area Representatives
By Pamela Neubauer, Fayetteville, NY
I am the Northeastern Coordinator for World Heritage. I became part of this nonprofit organization because I believed in the mission of its student exchange program, and I love working with the children. Through the Future Leader Exchange program, the United States Department of State sponsors students from the newly formed countries that were once part of the Soviet Union to spend an academic year in the U.S. This exchange of cultures, beliefs, government and love has made the world a better place, and this needs to continue so that the world understands what the U.S. is all about.
Four years ago, I answered an ad for becoming a host family for a high school exchange student through World Heritage. I never imagined that it would change how I see the world, not to mention that it would also change the way people around the world view America. The gravity of the attack on America has drawn numerous e-mails, letters, phone calls and instant messages of concern, sympathy and simply love from students from all over the world and their families with whom I have had contact in the past few years. It is crystal clear to my family and me that the world cares.
The outreach to our family has given us comfort during this time of uncertainty. The most important lesson it has taught us is that we can change the world one student at a time. Each student who has come here leaves with permanent emotional ties to America and to our family. In addition, those Americans who shared in the exchange learned that people from other places around the world are people too, and that they are not so different that we cannot coexist in harmony. Let us not forget about a good thing that was started many years ago! Tolerance can go a long way, and the world will be changed not because of terrorism but by how we react to it. We will come out as a stronger and better world in which to live and raise our children!
World Heritage is seeking local area representatives to volunteer their time and skills to provide students from several countries, including Germany, France, Mexico, and the former Soviet Union countries, with local program support. Local representatives plan an annual student orientation, meet with the local high schools, provide support counseling for participants, screen potential host families, and meet with the exchange students on a monthly basis. Representatives also attend an annual training workshop and report to the regional coordinator. The ideal candidate should enjoy fostering new international friendships, be community-minded, and enjoy working with teenagers and adults. Local representatives spend an average of two to four hours a month with the exchange students; time and expenses are reimbursed by the organization.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the World Heritage International Student Exchange Program or would like to find out what other opportunities are available, please call me at 315-637-2371 or 800-785-9040.
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