Bono pays tribute to Irish students and J-1 exchange program
U2 singer-songwriter Bono paid tribute to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and to the Irish students affected by a balcony collapse this summer, The Irish Times reports.
Rep. Thompson speaks in support of CBYX on House floor
Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) spoke in support of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program yesterday on the House floor, noting that the program “has shown tremendous success in fostering a stronger relationship between the United States and Germany.”
In his remarks, Rep. Thompson outlined several of the long-term benefits of the program for both German and American CBYX participants:
White House report: Exchange Visitor Program a “rich cultural experience”
A recent White House report reaffirmed the “rich cultural experience” provided by the Exchange Visitor Program and commended the State Department for its “comprehensive approach” to the program. The report was created in response to a Presidential Memorandum issued by President Obama to examine ways of improving the U.S. legal immigration system.
Yemeni exchange students to remain in U.S. through December
More than two dozen Yemeni exchange students will be allowed to stay in the United States through December, reports The Washington Post. The students were participants in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, sponsored by the State Department, when civil war broke out in their home country of Yemen, preventing their return.
Debt crisis causes problems for Greek Erasmus students, American students abroad unaffected
While the Greek debt crisis is causing significant problems for Greek Erasmus scholars, the crisis has had little effect on Americans studying abroad in the country, Kathimerini and CNBC report. In a historic vote, 61 per cent of Greek voters rejected the bailout package after Greece missed its loan payment deadline earlier this month.
Newsweek: U.S.-Iran exchanges can help ease tensions
Cultural exchanges between the U.S. and Iran have great potential for improving relations between the two countries after decades of hostility, Newsweek reports.
Senate allocates $590.9 million for State Department exchanges
The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the FY16 State-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) spending bill yesterday, providing $49.0 billion in overall funding and allocating $590.9 million for Department of State educational and cultural exchange programs.
Push for “universal definition” of internship as more students intern abroad
As internships increase in popularity across the globe, many are seeking a “universal definition” outlining the internship experience, The PIE News reports.
Programs fund international travel for low-income students
Expanded funding opportunities are allowing an increasing number of low-income high school students to travel abroad “as part of a broader attempt to narrow opportunity and achievement gaps in a more globalized world”, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Policy Monitor Weekly Digest, June 29-July 2
► The U.S. will re-open its embassy in Cuba, continuing the expansion of diplomatic relations between the two countries, President Obama announced on Wednesday.