11 October 2012
Montana teenagers and high school teachers who yearn for a globe-trotting adventure: Your desire couldn’t be timed better.
An
all-expense-paid trip to Cambodia is being offered to 20 Montana high
school students, ages 15 to 17, and two Montana high school teachers.
This
unique opportunity to experience Cambodia from June 16 to July 12,
2013, is made possible by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the
University of Montana.
On Tuesday, the center announced it had
been awarded a $175,000 grant by the U.S. Department of State to launch
the American Youth Leadership Program in Cambodia.
“This is a
highly competitive program that was pursued by organizations across the
U.S.,” said Deena Mansour, Mansfield Center associate director. “That
the Department of State is providing this rare opportunity exclusively
for Montana reflects the quality of our educators and the students
coming out of Montana.”
The grant and the program support Montana teachers and students with interests in environmental issues or international affairs.
While
in Cambodia, the group will study cultural and environmental issues in
the capital city of Phnom Penh and its nearby beaches, the forests of
the Cardamom Mountains, the villages of Battambang, and the floating
villages and ancient temple complex at Siem Reap.
“The program is a
true people-to-people exchange,” Mansour said. “Far from being isolated
on a tour bus, the Montana group will be immersed in Cambodian society
and learn together with Cambodian students and educators.
“They’ll
live in Cambodian neighborhoods, eat Cambodian foods and truly share
the lives of Cambodian students and their families.”
A highlight
of the program will be a visit to the World Heritage Site of the Angkor
Archaeological Park, which contains the impressive remains of the Khmer
Empire from the ninth through 15th centuries.
As part of the stay, students will learn about environmental issues that challenge both Cambodia and Montana.
When
the students return from the trip, they will be expected to put their
newfound knowledge to work by spearheading a service project in their
communities.
“This is an experience of a lifetime, and we are
excited to be able to offer this program to Montana educators and
students” said Kelsey Stamm, Mansfield Center project manager. “We hope
that teachers and students across the state will take advantage of this
opportunity to apply.”
To apply, teachers must be a U.S. citizen;
teach full-time at a Montana high school; have a demonstrated interest
in environmental issues; demonstrate interest in assisting youth to
become productive and responsible members of society; and plan to remain
in teaching positions or other positions of influence on young leaders.
Selected
teachers must commit to preparing for the program by learning about
Cambodia together with the group, from February to May 2013, through one
monthly meeting and one monthly reading or video assignment
Students
must be a U.S. citizen and Montana resident; can be home-schooled or
attending a public or private school in Montana during the 2012-13
school year; must be at least 15 years old and no older than 17 at the
beginning of the exchange (June 16, 2013); and have at least one
semester of high school left to complete after the exchange.
Students
must have a demonstrated interest in environmental issues through
coursework or extracurricular activities; a demonstrated service to the
community; and show flexibility, maturity, integrity, social skills and
open-mindedness.
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com.
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