National Literacy Month: Becoming a Global Citizen through Books

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This year back to school looks a little different, instead of buying supplies parents are figuring our the dynamics of virtual schooling. For young adults studying or hoping to pursue a career in the area of international relations or foreign policy realm, it is important to understand how interconnected our world is, to learn more about different cultures, and be globally literate. Literacy is extremely important not only in order to succeed but also in order to be able to make decisions and analyze situations. Through our various efforts, Meridian hopes to engage with and support future global leaders...

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Diplomacy today, diplomacy tomorrow

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Ambassador Bill Burns in conversation with Ambassador Yovanovitch at the Trainor Award Ceremony in Gaston Hall at Georgetown University on February 12, 2020 (Image: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service)

The following blog post is a three-part series adapted from Ambassador Yovanovitch’s Trainor Award lecture, delivered in Gaston Hall at Georgetown University in February 2020 and originally published on the Medium. In the series of blog, she reflects on her career in the Foreign Service, the state of diplomacy today, and the U.S. role in the world. PART 1: The power of example I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself and why I decided to become a diplomat. Because it was pretty unlikely, but all American stories are unlikely. That is the beauty of America. I grew...

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Teaching in Rural Japan Amidst a Pandemic

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The Hakkōda Mountains, an active volcanic complex in Aomori Prefecture - Photo by Regan McAllister

The following was written by Regan McAllister, former Fellow in Meridian’s Professional Exchanges Division. Her perspective displays how people around the world are facing the same challenges and how we can be stronger at home by understanding global issues. Last August, I moved to a small town in northern Japan to be an English Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) through the Japan Exchanges and Teaching (JET) Program. The first seven months of living in Aomori, Japan, were lively and full of seasonal festivals, school events and regional traveling. As I enter my second year, a ‘new normal’ has taken hold...

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Alumni Impact: Fernanda Teresinha da Silva

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Fernanda Teresinha da Silva, 2019 SUSI alumn and Mechanical Engineering student from Brazil.

This blog post was originally published on FIUTS, through their Alumni Impact social media campaign to recognize the work being done by exchange alumni all around the world. The author is Fernanda Teresinha da Silva who was a 2019 SUSI alumni from Brazil.  I’m Fernanda Teresinha da Silva from Brazil and I participated in the SUSI on Youth, Education and Closing Skills Gap 2019. Through the program, I feel like I advanced my understanding of humanity, my knowledge of my own potential and my outlook on my mission as an engineer and as part of the technological revolution that...

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SUSI Spotlight: A Disability-Inclusive Response to COVID-19

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Rowena at a Study of the US Institutes (SUSI) forum.

This blog post was contributed by Rowena Dinah Koloi is a 2020 Study of the US Institutes (SUSI) alumn representing Bostwana on the topic of civic engagement for young African global leaders. She is a highly motivated young woman who has seen the beauty of life with one eye (visually impaired). A final year student at BA Lisago University, studying Bachelor of Commerce in real estate. She is also a published author of a motivational book titled “A Walk to Remember”. It is a record of her life journey events as a person who was able to live beyond...

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