| WHAT IS ISSE?
The International School-To-School Experience is
a unique program for elementary schools that provides for the exchange of thoughts and
ideas through face to face contact with children from other countries around the world. It
is non-profit, non-political, and non-religious in nature. The program gives all
elementary school children the opportunity to experience and understand other cultures on
a first-hand basis. It is an innovative approach for elementary schools that realize the
importance of international experience in modern elementary education.
OBJECTIVE OF ISSE
ISSE's objective is to allow elementary students to interact with
and learn from other children of the world, thereby fostering peace and understanding on a
global basis.
WHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?
The eleven or twelve year old is mature
enough to benefit from international experience, yet young enough to be relatively free
from prejudice. The full power of the eleven-year-old "ambassador" should not be
under-estimated. Children of this age are not trying to "find themselves". They
know who they are and can be good representatives of their country. These children are
young enough to need adults but old enough to build their own relationships. There is no
generation gap as children of this age are friendly with both children and adults.
HOW ISSE WORKS?
Children of all backgrounds participate
in the ISSE program. A partnership between an elementary school in one country is formed
with an elementary school in another country. A small team of eleven or twelve year old
children and an adult from another country visits a school for approximately a month. Each
child lives with a family with a child of similar age and goes to school with their host.
The accompanying adult is also hosted by another family. At a mutually agreeable time the
school sends a similar team to the school from which the visitors came, to live under the
same arrangements. The visiting delegation share their culture with each grade level.
SELECTION
The selection of children should be
based upon factors other than ability to pay travel expenses, such as: 1) Interest in
learning about new cultures and becoming friends with chilren of other cultures, 2)
Willingness to communicate their experiences with their school when they
return,. 3) Sufficient independence and
emotional maturity, and 4) Age of eleven at departure time.
EXPENSES
All living expenses of the visiting
children and adult are paid by their host families. Travel expenses of the visitors are
paid, when possible, by their school, community, and/or their local ISSE organization.
Parents of the visiting children provide passports, clothing, and spending money. ISSE is
both an enriching and attainable opportunity.
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE:
Administrative Secretary: Mrs. Lillian
Coon
4873 Millerstown Rd Urbana, Ohio 43078 USA
Tel.: 513-652-3345 Fax: 513-652-1564
For additional information and membership please contact your
nearest ISSE Country Co-ordinator. |
