Global Link 2008-2009

We are pleased to launch University Prep’s 2008-2009 Global Link Program. At this time students will be able to apply for the following three programs: Samoa, Colombia, and Japan.

The programs were announced to students in the assembly on Wednesday, April 16 and students should stop by Ms. Denton’s office to request an application. The selection schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, April 29: Applications are due.
May 5-7: Students will interview with the Global Link team.
Week of May 12: Selected students will be notified.

What is the Global Leadership class?

This class is part of Global Link training for overseas cultural immersion. It will impart cultural competency and leadership skills necessary to be an ambassador while overseas.
All students applying for Global Link must register for the Global Leadership class as one of their spring semester elective courses.
The class is 5 credits, BUT it will only meet twice a week during class hours.
Students will receive the remaining 3 credits for time overseas and by attending country-specific meetings during lunch, meeting hours, or whenever their group leaders and peers determine is the best time. These meetings will take place during both first and second semester approximately once or twice a month.

What are the program particulars?

Colombia

An opportunity to continue to build our relationship with Colegio San Jose in Barranquilla. We will accept a maximum of ten students in Spanish 3-5.

Japan

Students will live with host families in Kobe, Japan. They will work closely with Seattle-Kobe Sister Cities and the Keimei Gaukin School. University Prep students will study disaster preparedness and environmental conservation by connecting with various community organizations and will participate in activities at the Keimei school during the latter portion of their visit. Our Japanese counterparts can accommodate six to eight students in Japanese 3 or above.

Samoa

An opportunity to return to our host village. This program will be available to sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Estimated departure times

Programs will run between ten and fourteen days depending on our host countries’ schedules. Students in the Samoa and Colombia programs will miss two to three days of school the week of March 23 and will return on Wednesday or Thursday during the last week of spring break. Students participating in the Japan program will most likely be overseas during the second and third weeks of April, missing one week of class following the break. This is due to the Japanese academic calendar.

Cost and financial assistance

The cost for all Global Link programs is $2,800 and Global Link grants are available to all students who qualify.

Pre-departure training and “Bring it Back” activities

Global Link students will receive pre-departure cross-cultural and country-specific training through the Global Leadership class and meetings in their country groups. They will also establish Seattle-area connections with the local community of their overseas hosts. Parents and students will participate in three Family Information Night meetings.

Upon return, all participants will present Global Link projects to the University Prep community and will continue to foster their relationships with Seattle-area host country connections.

What about opportunities for Chinese and French Language students?

Global Link programs are first and foremost a cultural immersion experience. Our goal in is to help students build their cultural competency skills by being immersed in new environments and making connections with international students. We are happy to have developed relationships with countries that speak the languages that we offer at U Prep, thus allowing us to add a language element to the programs even though language is not the primary focus. Therefore, we are very excited about the prospect of offering students a program to a new French-speaking country and to China in the future.

Current students taking French and Chinese are welcome to apply to the Samoa program next year. These students may also consider a semester or summer overseas in a program that would allow them a significant amount of time to develop their language skills. Interested students should see Lauren Denton, the Associate Director of Global Education for information on these programs.

What international opportunities are available for students who are not part of Global Link?

All students can be matched with an international experience that best suits their individual interests by visiting the Intercultural Affairs Office.

Middle School students will be participating in Bridges (iEARN) throughout the year.

Communicating about Global Link