BRIDGE STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

STUDENT SELECTION 2005-2006

Basic Requirements:

• Students must be at least 15 and no older than 16.5 years on 1st January 2006 . They cannot have already graduated from secondary school.

• Students must have been participating in iEARN projects for over an year or minimum 6 months.

• Preference will be given to students from schools/organizations which have not yet participated in iEARN BRIDGE exchanges.

• Students must have a good level of English in order for both the hosts and the students to reap the benefits of cross-cultural communication.

Selection Criteria

Each participant chosen for the program should be generally familiar with cross-cultural telecommunications collaboration, have a basic knowledge and understanding of the English language desire to learn from cultural exchange experiences and have been very active in iEARN projects and activities.

Program committees will ensure a fair selection of participants is based on the following criteria:

·         No prior travel experience to the USA (for educational and or leisure purposes)

·         Inclusion of students from varied economic and social demographics (including underprivileged, underrepresented and or middle class students)

·         Social and emotional maturity

·         Flexibility

·         Good English communication skills

·         Open mindedness

·         Leadership ability or potential

·         Academic record

·       iEARN project involvement

 10 factors the interview committee will be  looking at in applicants: 

·         Sense of humor

·         Ability to cope with failure

·         Curiosity

·         Positive/realistic expectations

·         Tolerance for differences

·         Positive regard for others

·         Sense of self 

Students should understand that they are not going on a vacation. 

It is a full academic exchange experience that includes attending school and participating in all activities planned by the host family and community. Please keep in mind that participants’ behavior will have an impact on what others think about their home countries and communities.  The selected participants should be good ambassadors for their school, community, country and iEARN.

Write to Farah@iearnpk.org for participation