IRIS, Inc. (Iowa
Resource for International Service) has expanded
its activities in Africa by developing a model
program to bring Nigerian and Tanzanian students to
the US for a
10-month educational program. Participants from
Nigeria are selected from the northern part
specifically Kaduna, Sokoto, Plateau,
Taraba and Bauchi States, an area of the country
where lower economic levels combined with a more
traditional culture has made travel outside the
country very difficult. In Tanzania, they will be
selected from the Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga,
and Kilimanjaro areas. The two countries
represent a significant portion of the Muslim
population in Africa. Nigeria accounts for the
largest Muslim population in West Africa and
Tanzania is her counterpart in East Africa. The
goal is to provide an opportunity for East
Africans and West Africans to engage in dialogue
regarding conflict resolution and to foster
lasting inter-regional cooperation.
The students
who are selected for the program live with host
families in the US, attend public
schools, and engage in activities to learn about
American society and values, acquire leadership
skills, and help educate Americans about their
countries and cultures. In addition, the students
will also learn about other countries
within their own continent. Upon their return the
students will apply their leadership skills at
home.
Seventy-five senior
secondary students and eleven teachers from Kaduna,
Sokoto, Taraba and Plateau states have taken part
in the Iowa program since 2003. Those students
lived with host families in different Iowa
communities. Each teacher spent approximately one
month during different times of the year to assist
participating students in adjusting to their new
environment.
For the
2007/2008 program year, IRIS will bring 30 students
from Nigeria and 20 students from Tanzania. We are
also including past alumni in follow-up activities
in the two countries. IRIS works closely with the students,
their host families and host schools. We believe
the program will increase the global understanding
and cultural awareness of Iowans as much as it
benefits our guests from Africa.
The objectives of this program are for the African
high school students and teachers to:
IRIS staff will be involved in the following
aspects of the program:
-
Selecting and orienting participating Nigerian
students and teachers;
-
Selecting and orientating Iowa host families;
-
Coordinating with local Islamic centers in Iowa;
-
Coordinating student visas;
-
Providing orientation for host schools;
-
Providing on-going support for students, teachers,
schools, and host families;
-
Developing and coordinating non-scholastic
activities for the students including: meeting with
youth organizations, Muslim youth organizations,
and other organizations. We will also organize
visits to other culturally significant locations in
Iowa throughout the year.
For more Information contact
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