Our world is shrinking every day. It might be the same size it was 100 years ago, but technology and globalization bring us closer and closer together with each passing moment. Our education programs offer youth and students with opportunities to interact with peers on the other side of the world, to learn a less-commonly taught language, to come face to face with a new culture, and to gain valuable skills for their futures in academics and work.
The Global Institute | global competencies for the 21st century

The emphasis of the organization’s educational work is programs for high school students. Open to all youth in the Fox Cities and Kurgan, the Global Institute is an exciting and tangible way to experience new cultures and gain valuable skills for the future.

The program is competitive. Only five students from Kurgan and five students from the Fox Cities will be selected to participate in 2013. Applications will open online in late Fall or early Winter 2012, with interviews and selection in Spring 2013.

American students who apply and are accepted will complete a four-month course of preparation, including intensive Russian language and culture classes, interaction with community leaders, and planning of volunteer and community development projects to carry out on the other side of the world. Throughout the four months, the students will be in close contact with a group of peers in Kurgan, with whom they will work in the summer to complete their projects. For four weeks in the summer, the teams will be together – two weeks in Russia and two weeks in the Fox Cities – learning about community, culture, and youth development in two very different parts of the world.

For more information, download the information packet. Online applications are open until February 1, 2013. Click here to complete an application.

©2012 Fox Cities-Kurgan Sister Cities Program
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Professional photography by Matthew Straub and Katrin Shevtsova