A Change of Guard

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Thursday 11 October 2012

All-expenses-paid Cambodia trip available for Montana teenagers, teachers


11 October 2012

Montana teenagers and high school teachers who yearn for a globe-trotting adventure: Your desire couldn’t be timed better.
An all-expense-paid trip to Cambodia is being offered to 20 Montana high school students, ages 15 to 17, and two Montana high school teachers.
This unique opportunity to experience Cambodia from June 16 to July 12, 2013, is made possible by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana.
On Tuesday, the center announced it had been awarded a $175,000 grant by the U.S. Department of State to launch the American Youth Leadership Program in Cambodia.
“This is a highly competitive program that was pursued by organizations across the U.S.,” said Deena Mansour, Mansfield Center associate director. “That the Department of State is providing this rare opportunity exclusively for Montana reflects the quality of our educators and the students coming out of Montana.”

The grant and the program support Montana teachers and students with interests in environmental issues or international affairs.
While in Cambodia, the group will study cultural and environmental issues in the capital city of Phnom Penh and its nearby beaches, the forests of the Cardamom Mountains, the villages of Battambang, and the floating villages and ancient temple complex at Siem Reap.
“The program is a true people-to-people exchange,” Mansour said. “Far from being isolated on a tour bus, the Montana group will be immersed in Cambodian society and learn together with Cambodian students and educators.
“They’ll live in Cambodian neighborhoods, eat Cambodian foods and truly share the lives of Cambodian students and their families.”
A highlight of the program will be a visit to the World Heritage Site of the Angkor Archaeological Park, which contains the impressive remains of the Khmer Empire from the ninth through 15th centuries.
As part of the stay, students will learn about environmental issues that challenge both Cambodia and Montana.
When the students return from the trip, they will be expected to put their newfound knowledge to work by spearheading a service project in their communities.
“This is an experience of a lifetime, and we are excited to be able to offer this program to Montana educators and students” said Kelsey Stamm, Mansfield Center project manager. “We hope that teachers and students across the state will take advantage of this opportunity to apply.”
To apply, teachers must be a U.S. citizen; teach full-time at a Montana high school; have a demonstrated interest in environmental issues; demonstrate interest in assisting youth to become productive and responsible members of society; and plan to remain in teaching positions or other positions of influence on young leaders.
Selected teachers must commit to preparing for the program by learning about Cambodia together with the group, from February to May 2013, through one monthly meeting and one monthly reading or video assignment
Students must be a U.S. citizen and Montana resident; can be home-schooled or attending a public or private school in Montana during the 2012-13 school year; must be at least 15 years old and no older than 17 at the beginning of the exchange (June 16, 2013); and have at least one semester of high school left to complete after the exchange.
Students must have a demonstrated interest in environmental issues through coursework or extracurricular activities; a demonstrated service to the community; and show flexibility, maturity, integrity, social skills and open-mindedness.
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com.

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