Connecting UW international students with the community is a key part of the FIUTS and Center for Global Studies partnership. FIUTS and CGS education programs bring the world to your doorstep by providing resources and expertise in cultural exchange and global issues.
For K-12 teachers in the Seattle area, here are some ways to enrich your global curriculum and connect your students with people from around the world:
CulturalFest International Expo
CulturalFest is an incredible celebration of cultural diversity at the University of Washington. UW international students will display pictures, crafts, and clothing, and present music, food, games and other cultural activities from their native countries. With over 35 country booths, your students will have the opportunity to take a ‘virtual’ tour around the globe! Your students will be given a passport activity to complete as they visit the country booths. Want to learn more about bringing your school to CulturalFest? Check out this School Group FAQ page. For more general information about CulturalFest visit the CulturalFest page.
Classroom Visits
FIUTS brings UW international students into K-12 classrooms, after-school programs, and senior living centers. The students teach interactive and personalized lessons about their countries and cultures. FIUTS coordinates the following classroom-visit programs:
GLOBAL AMBASSADOR DAY
The FIUTS Global Ambassador Day program brings University of Washington students into K-6 classrooms for a day. Each classroom hosts a different FIUTS volunteer, who leads an interactive lesson about his or her home country and culture.
The lessons are developed and produced by student volunteers with the guidance of FIUTS staff. Classroom teachers prepare their students with discussions on history and background information related to the country that the Cultural Ambassadors represent.
To Host a Global Ambassador Day at your school, contact Kailyn Swarthout, FIUTS Education Programs Coordinator, at kailyn@fiuts.org