Increase mutual understanding between U.S. and exchange teachers schools and communities

Chi Jiu-Ching's "Come On! Let Me Show You This Beautiful World!" Project aims to facilitate an opportunity for her students to explore Chinese culture and language through food and cultural exchanges with Taiwanese students. Ms. Chi's Mandarin students at Vanguard Van Gogh Elementary and Secondary School learn to cook several different Taiwanese dishes eaten to celebrate the Lunar New Year, sharing these dishes with their parents, teachers, and the local community. Ms. Chi's students will go on field trips to local areas and share these experiences in Mandarin with Taiwanese students.

Ms. Lin’s “Hot Pot is the Staff of Life” project engaged participants in the cultural and historical significance of the hot pot of traditional cuisine. In the classroom, Ms. Lin taught the students about the history of hot pot in China, common ingredients used in the hot pot, the ingredients’ symbolism, and how to use chopsticks. Next, the students, their families, and school staff visited a local Chinese grocery store and restaurant to experience the hot pot firsthand.

During the “Arabic Cultural Day,” Ms. Ismael's students held an after-school event to showcase their acquired Arabic language skills and promote the middle school's Arabic program to the school, teachers, and parents.

For Ms. Sofi’s “Beyond Differences” project, students introduced Arabic culture and language to the school through an international week that concluded with an event celebrating diversity. The focus of the program was on how Middle Eastern culture influenced other disciplines. 

Ms. Huang's "2023 Chinese New Year Celebration” project invited students, teachers and staff, parents, and community members to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Ms. Huang coordinated and organized the day-long event, during which students and teachers prepared a song to perform on stage for parents and the community.

Mr. Hayab's "Cooking Lessons and a Moroccan Soirée" project had two phases. In the first phase, project participants took part in Moroccan cooking and culture classes, and in the second, participants organized a Moroccan Soiree in Ramadan for the community members.