Introduction
Our world is growing
smaller and our interdependence is
increasing at a phenomenal rate. These
conditions demand a response that will
positively impact and support the peoples
of the world.
The Global Youth
Institute was created as a partnership
between The Friendship Force of Greater
Des Moines and the Des Moines Public
Schools in 1990. This year The Friendship
Force and
Des Moines Public Schools of Des Moines,
Iowa, USA, have joined to offer a unique
learning opportunity for selected high
school students. The Global Youth
Institute will bring together
approximately 40 students from different
countries to study and contemplate
significant global issues challenging the
world today.
This year’s setting is the beautiful city of Moscow. the capital and the largest city of Russia; and St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia was founded by Tsar Peter I of Russia in 1703. Moscow, is a living museum to a millennium of political, religious, and cultural history. The Kremlin and Red Square reveal Moscow’s role as a political center of Russia. Moscow is a major global economic center and is home to one of the largest numbers of billionaires in the world; is home to many scientific and educational institutions, as well as numerous sport facilities; and its metro is the busiest single-operator subway in the world. Saint Petersburg was capital of the Russian Empire for more than two hundred years. The historic centre of Saint Petersburg and related groups of monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
Program Objectives
Please select the following link to view a slide show describing the
Global Youth Institute Program
Students
The Global Youth
Institute will review applications from US
and international students. Approximately
40 students are selected to
participate.
Staff
The Global Youth
Institute is staffed by a selected group
of experienced, multidisciplinary, and
certified teachers. The Institute
maintains a 1 to 10 staff-to-student
ratio.
Cost
- Tuition: $700.00
(U.S. Dollars)
- Passport and
visa fees
- Transportation
to and from the host country
- Personal
incidental expenses
Limited scholarship
money may be available to qualified
applicants.
Qualifications
US and Des Moines
Area Students
Must have completed
grade 10 with indications of superior
student achievement.
In order to be
considered for the Institute, you must
return the following:
I. Completed Student
Application Form
II. Letters of
recommendation from two of the
following:
- teacher
- counselor
- principal
- Friendship Force
member
III. One-page
personal statement including:
- Your reasons for
wanting to participate
- What you will
contribute to the Institute
- What you hope to
gain form the experience
International
Students
Must be 16 to 18
years of age with indications of superior
student achievement.
In order to be
considered for the Institute, you must
return the following:
I. Completed
Student Application Form
II. Letters of
recommendation from each of the
following:
- teacher,
counselor, or administrator
- high school
English teacher describing level of
oral comprehension and spoken
communication. (The entire program is
conducted in English.)
III. One-page
personal statement which
includes:
- Your reasons for
wanting to participate
- What you will
contribute to the Institute
- What you hope to
gain from the experience
Schedule
Please select either of the following links to read about a typical schedule.
2005 Program Schedule in Australia
2006 Program Schedule in Taiwan
2007 Program Schedule in Canada
Day
The Global Youth
Institute participants will contribute to
investigations, engage in dialogue, and
hear classroom presentations by invited
resource personnel. Field trips to near-by
locations related to the curricular topics
will be part of the program.
Evening
Students will
participate in social and cultural
activities with their host families and/or
other students attending the Global Youth
Institute.
Retreat
Participants stay at a retreat center for an extended stay of four to five days and nights. The retreat will allow
participants to discuss Institute topics
and become better acquainted with each
other in a natural environmental
setting.
Housing and
Meals
Students will be
hosted by families arranged by the Friendship Force host club at no cost.
Curriculum
The curriculum will
include an investigation of the following
topics: cross-cultural communication;
family customs traditions and
celebrations; international political,
economic and social issues; international
organizations; conflict resolution; and
global environmental issues.
Preparation
Participants will be
expected to research and prepare
information on each of the above topics
from the perspective of their own country
for discussion during the Institute. Each
national group will make a presentation
about its country.
Contacts
For more information
about the Global Youth Institute contact
Des Moines Public Schools Coordinator for
International Education,
Dr. Thomas Forsgren
Email: Thomas Forsgren
Phone:
515-242-7888
Fax:
515-242-8252
Applications
Student
applications may be completed on this
web site and sent directly to Dr. Forsgren
by email or you may send applications
to:
- Dr. Thomas Forsgren
Coordinator for International
Education
Des Moines Public Schools
1800 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50309-3382
The
Global Youth Institute is a partner with
- The Friendship
Force
233 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2250
- Atlanta, Georgia
30303
- U.S.A.
- Phone:
404-522-9490
- FAX:
404-688-6148
- www.thefriendshipforce.org
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