Every year, the Academic Year in America (AYA) community looks forward to International Education Week (IEW). That’s because IEW is an exciting, weeklong celebration of the amazing benefits of international education. Though IEW is only a week long, members of the AYA community experience these benefits daily.
For #IEW2018, AYA alumni reconnected with us to share thoughts on international education as a result of what they experienced during their exchange year in the United States.
One AYA and YES alum, Mohamed (pictured above), had an unforgettable time celebrating IEW during his exchange year. From his home country Tunisia, Mohamed reached out recently to share fond memories.
“International Education Week was a huge milestone in the journey that was my exchange year,” Mohamed reflected. “I got to present to over 800 students and 30 local girl scouts to teach them about my country, heritage, and the importance of cultural exchange. It was amazing.”
Other AYA alumni, like Anie from Armenia and Korish from Pakistan, shared their thoughts on international education, too. For Anie, international education created a world of exciting discoveries.
“Due to international education you share information about your country and learn about another ones,” Anie said. “It gives you an opportunity to be able to discover new secrets of worldwide cultures and feel the countries without being there.”
Similarly, international education helped Korish find something, too: fantastic new friends.
“You get to know others,” Korish explained. “I believe that [international education] is the best opportunity for you to go out and share your culture with others – and to make new friends.”
International education expanded horizons for AYA and YES and FLEX alumni, Mohamed, Anie, and Korish. Now, it has given them lasting motivation to learn more about the world.
Hearing stories like these makes us even more passionate about IEW – a week that brings us together as a global community of learners, striving towards a more understanding future.
Interested in opening an exchange students’ eyes to international education? Consider hosting an exchange student with AYA: Learn more today!
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