empowering young leaders, pre-departure orientation
DESCRIPTION
Pre-departure Orientation!TRANSCRIPT
Empowering Young Leaders Turkey- U.S. Political Exchange
Pre-Departure Orientation
Content Program Introduction
› Program Sponsors› World Learning› Program Description
Travel Basics› Budgeting› Preparing for Departure› Health› Home stays
City / Program Details› New York, New York› Boston , Massachusetts› Columbus, Ohio› Atlanta, Georgia› Chicago, Illinois
Contact Us
Program Sponsors
What is all about?
Each year over 1,500 professionals from more than 140 countries participate in short term exchange programs in the United States arranged by World Learning and under grants provided by the US Department of State and USAID. Through site visits, office meetings, panel discussions, internships, volunteering, and other experiential activities, our visitors discover the dimensions and context of their own professions in the US, make lasting contact with their colleagues here, and share insight about their activities at home.
All of World Learning's programs also include extensive opportunities for participants to experience America through cultural and outdoor activities, sporting events, home stays and home hospitality. As Citizen Diplomats, these visiting professionals and the Americans they meet create bridges of intercultural understanding that enhance the capacity and commitment of individuals, institutions, and communities to create a more peaceful and just world.
US/Turkey Elections Exchange
This program is an exchange program between politically and civically active Turkish undergraduate students and American young people to build capacity in participants to be agents for peaceful and effective social change in their countries. The exchange will think beyond the revolutions of the Arab Spring and look at shaping a new political climate in which young people are engaged and their interests represented.
To maximize the value of this exchange, the program will take place in late summer 2012, prior to the presidential elections in the U.S. Through the lens of the 2012 elections, 17 Turkish students will observe grassroots politics in the U.S. and study how political and social goals could be served through political organizing and peaceful means.
BudgetingYou will not need a lot of money during your stay. The
program will pay for accommodations and program transportation.
You will be given a small per diem stipend per day. This is to cover your meals during your stay in The United States.
You may want to bring a small amount of cash with you while you are traveling to the United States. This will cover souvenirs or other items you may purchase; transportation outside the program, phone calls overseas, and other personal needs.
Preparing for departure:International Travel Baggage Fees:
› United Airlines› 1st bag is free
Up to 62.0 linear inches (157cm) L + W + H and 50.0 lbs (23 kg) per bag
› Second Checked Baggage is 100$› INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL Please keep receipts for any luggage charge and present them to the World
Learning team upon arrival to be reimbursed. The program will cover the luggage fee for up to two pieces of checked luggage. The program CANNOT cover fees for overweight luggage.
Health You have medical emergency health insurance.
This will cover any accidents or illnesses that may happen on the program. However, the medical coverage does not include pre-existing illnesses, prescriptions or dental work.
Important Information: If there are any medical conditions that you know about, please inform Vlad Spencer as soon as possible.
Please make sure that all prescription medications are in their labeled bottle that you receive from the doctor.
If you don’t feel well, please contact the program organizers first, they can help you find the best way to get the care that you need with your insurance.
Entering the United States You will need your passport, which has your visa, to enter the U.S. A picture of
you and fingerprint will be taken when you enter the U.S. You may also be asked why you are coming to the U.S. (Answer: for a State Department sponsored US-Turkey Exchange Program).
Common Questions at Passport Control Where are you coming from? What is your purpose for coming to the U.S.? Is this your first visit to the U.S.? Which cities will you be visiting in the U.S.? How long will you be in the country? Are you traveling with anyone?
Be patient and calm. Please understand that stricter security measures are applied to all foreign visitors in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They are neither specific to you nor do we have any control over them even though your visit is sponsored by the U.S. Government.
J1 Visa
It is important to understand that your J-I Visa has the “two year” rule attached to it:
Participants in U.S. Government-funded exchange programs must return to their home countries and live (be physically present in your country) for a total of two years before they are eligible to receive the kind of visa
that enables them to reside permanently in the United States (as an immigrant or refugee, for example) or to work in the United States.
This “two-year rule” does not prevent persons from returning to the U.S. for business, tourism, study, and other purposes that involve a temporary stay, although a U.S. Consulate abroad may institute a more restricted policy in response to the situation in that country.
I-94 Form
While on the airplane, you will be asked to fill out an I-94 customs form. The form will require a local address in the United States; here you should put the World Learning address:
World Learning Visitor Exchange Program
1015 15th Street NW 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005+1-202-408-5420
Other Practical Information Gratuities
Gratuities are not optional in the US. Wait staff, hotel-room attendants, valet parkers and bellhops receive the minimum wage or less and depend on tips for their livelihoods. In restaurants tipping 15% of the total bill is the accepted minimum. If service is good, 20% is a decent tip, while it is appropriate to tip more if service is exceptional. Hotel-room attendants should get $1 per guest per day, taxi drivers about 10% of your fare. Airport baggage handlers get about $1 per bag.
Good items to bring: Contact phone numbers for program organizers Adapters for electronic equipment Comfortable shoes Rain jacket A smaller tote bag for extra items Clothing appropriate for weather in DC, and your partner city
Calling home from the U.S. At the opening session for the program, we will discuss possibilities
for calling cards and/or personal cell phones that are available in the cities where you will be.
Home Stays
You will have home stays during your stay in your partners’ cities. At that time, you will be living with American families.
Your family will be excited to have you in their home and they want to make you feel comfortable. Please feel free to communicate with them openly when you are at home. You will learn a great deal from them, and they will learn a great deal from you.
Home stay hosts are not paid for hosting you. They are doing it as a contribution to international understanding and to their communities. Please treat them with courtesy and respect.
Program DetailsAugust 26th- September
12th
Washington D.C
Topics Covered: Foreign policy framework and mechanisms U.S.-Turkey relations Governmental and non-governmental perspectives
on international affairs Skill training workshops on topics such as conflict
management and resolution and civil society capacity building in a global environment
Weather In late August the avg. temperature in D.C is 87
degrees F/30 degrees C Bring Dresses, skirts, shorts, short sleeves, pants. Weather is Hot and Humid in August!!
August 26th-August 30thHotel: The Normandy 2118 Wyoming Avenue N.W. Washington D.C.20008, USA Tel: +1 (202) 483 1350
Columbus, Ohio
Topics Covered: Meetings with both Democratic and
Republican representatives Republican Party, Democratic Party,
Political Campaign. Turkish American Cultural relations. Party Elected officials
Weather Avg. Temperature in Columbus:65 -75 Bring: Umbrella, T-shirts, Long Sleeve
shirts, Light Jacket.
August 30th-September 3rd
Residence Inn Columbus Downtown36 East Gay StreetColumbus, OH 43215-3108Phone: (614) 222-2610Fax: (614) 222-2611
Atlanta, Georgia
Topics Covered Atlanta Cit y Politics The role of citizens in city, state, and federal government The role of women in Georgia politics. Lake Oconee , Labor Day Cook Out
Weather: Humid, subtropical climate; days can be
hot and humid summers with cooler nights
Avg. Temperature in August 75-80 degrees
Bring: light jacket, umbrella, shorts, t-shirts.
Hotel: Country Inn and Suites800 Sidney Marcus Boulevard, Atlanta GA, 30324+1 (404) 949-4000
August 30th–September 3rd
Chicago, Illinois
Topics Covered U.S.-Turkey relations Governmental and non-
governmental perspectives on international affairs.
Chicago City Politics
Hotel:The Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Hotel733 West MadisonChicago, IL 60661Telephone: (312) 829-5000Fax: (312) 602-2199
Weather 65-75 degrees, Warm to
hot Bring: An umbrella, light
jacket, pants, shorts, t-shirts ( nights may tend to be cooler)
Boston Massachusetts
Topics Covered:Youth Political EngagementMedia and Political EngagementTufts University VisitCollege Immersion
Weather Avg. Temp 65 – 75 degrees Bring: Umbrella, pants, T-shirts,
Sweatshirts/ light jacket.
September 3rd- 6th
Hotel: The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers50 Park Plaza at Arlington StreetBoston, MA 02116-3912Contact: 617.654.1912
Brattleboro, Vermont
Topics CoveredConflict resolution dialogues aimed at fostering a new generation of peace builders.Discussion with International StudentsCultural Night
WeatherAvg. 71 degree F, Warm to Hot weatherBring a light jacket, umbrella, tends to be cooler at night.
Hotel:Colonial Motel 889 Putney RdBrattleboro, VT 05301(802) 257-7733
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September 6th-September 8th
New York City, New York
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Madison Square Garden, 232 West 29th Street. New York City, New York 10001
Topics Covered:Civic participation and human rights in the international arenaPerspectives on protests in the U.S. Participating in community events and festivals
Weather: Avg. 70-80 degrees, can be hot and humid in August, cooler nights. Bring: Light Jacket, pants ,shorts.
WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM The most important thing to remember is that, from now on, for the rest of the year and , hopefully, for many years to come, we are a team! !
The key to our program’s success is a team-oriented, tolerant, and open-minded approach to dialogue and joint action!
Question?! Please email us!