Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category
FLEX Program
The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) encourages the exchange of ideas, values, and experiences among youth and leads to greater cultural awareness and appreciation, exposing young scholars to democracy, free market economy, civil society, and community service. The long term goal of the program is to prepare students to emerge as future leaders who will help lead and strengthen the newly democratic societies in their own nations.
Through the FLEX Program, students come from several different countries, including: Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. All of these countries are a part of the Eurasian region, which rests between eastern Europe and western Asia. This region is critical to U.S. diplomatic relations. Host families have the option to make a preference for the country from which their student may come.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • MEET OUR STUDENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Halyna is a 15 year old young woman from Ukraine. She loves dancing and drawing. She speaks Russian, German, English and Polish.
Anna is a 15 year old young woman from Ukraine. She loves dancing, music and movies. One day she hopes to be a lawyer.
Lyubov is a 16 year old young woman from Russia. She loves animals, singing, cooking, drama and music. She would enjoy teaching her host family how to cook borsch and pelmeni, two traditional Russian dishes.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • HOST FAMILIES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Many families may feel apprehensive about hosting a student for a full school year (Aug 2013-June 2014), but past families have reported surprise at the ease of the FLEX program. Some frequently asked questions are:
- Do I have to have children to become a host family? No, families are not required to have children of their own.
- Will my student speak English? Yes! This is a major requirement of FLEX students. The students take a rigorous English language test (SLEP) and have to meet a minimal language requirement. A small number of FLEX students (about 10%) attend an intensive English language program before they start school in the US.
- What do host families need to provide? Separate bed (not inflatable of convertible), storage and study space, access to bathroom; Three meals a day (bagged lunch if school does not provide lunch); Transportation to and from school activities (unless there is a school bus); Encouragement, care, and attention
- What kind of support does the student receive? Financial and otherwise? While host families do not receive any direct funds for hosting a student, a portion of your expenses paid are tax-deductible. FLEX students also receive the following:
-$125 monthly stipend (e.g. school supplies, toiletries, social activities, phone cards)
-$300 reimbursable incidental allowance (e.g. sports equipment, winter clothes, yearbook fees, etc).
- Medical insurance
- A large network of support (academic, emotional, programmatic) from local coordinators, World Learning, and the Department of State. - Why host a FLEX student?
The best answer for that comes from a host mom herself:
“We have now hosted two FLEX students and it has been a wonderful experience for our family. These bright, enthusiastic young people have opened our eyes to another culture, sharing their own vitality and worldview. The relationships we have developed with them – especially their closeness to our own son – will last a lifetime. Is there a downside to hosting? Yes. They have to go home.”
-FLEX Host Mother in Virginia
If you are interested in applying to host a student for a school year, click the following link HF Application 2013-14 for a printable application or click on the following URL to complete the application online: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FLEXHFApp2013-14
In the upcoming days, more information will be posted here about this program and our local hosting needs.
DIPLOMATS ON TAP
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 at the Emerson Cultural Center (Weaver Room) in Bozeman [7-8:30pm]
Do you enjoy beer? How about beer and friends? WorldMontanaSM will host its first ever Diplomats on Tap that will satisfy both your taste buds and sense of community. This event will be an opportunity to allow Bozemanites to expand their knowledge of international issues. Quarterly, we hope to gather internationally-minded individuals to take part in a discussion about global issues, many of which affect us in some way.WorldMontana’s first Diplomats on Tap will coincide with our annual membership meeting. Here, we will update our members on the impact of our non-profit’s work in the community. Later, we will listen to a presentation and participate in a discussion with beer in hand. This Diplomats on Tap will include hors d’oeuvres prepared by Food for Thought. For those who are not so inclined to beer, we will also serve wine. Join us at the Weaver Room in the Emerson on Wednesday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m. for an enjoyable evening.