Turkey Global Connections Trip for Educators and Policy Makers 2012

Description: A group of professors, classroom teachers (K-16), and officials in state and/or US departments of education will travel to Turkey, visit schools, learn about Turkish culture from university professors, and meet with their counterparts and other officials in Turkish government. Pre-departure, study, preparation and orientation will be provided by the Director and Assistant Director of Middle East Studies Center. Participation in the Turkish-American cultural and educational exchange projects (see below) is encouraged for both trip participants, and colleagues in Turkey.

Rationale: American education in general, and studies of peoples and cultures in the "Middle East," or the political and cultural spheres of East Europe/West Asia/North Africa, suffer from a lack of productive academic and cultural exchange of perspectives and ideas from the areas being studied. Our assumption is that this is mirrored in Turkish classrooms, but in a number of different ways. At the same time, global connections in the classroom, whether by way of technology or through actual visits, are beginning to be more widespread. In creating a transnational community, avenues may be opened up which would allow continuity for these connections, and more opportunities to gain intercultural awareness.

Tentative details:

group will number between 15 and 20 persons

10 Days, March 15-25, 2012

$1200 paid by participants, other expenses will largely subsidized by the sponsors (see below). In-country costs such as lodging, food, transport, and much of the international travel will be covered. There will be a group departure from New York. However, getting to New York will be the participants' responsiblity and at their expense.

itinerary will include schools, universities, academic engagements, audiences with local and central government officials, dinners with local scholars and business leaders, and historic sites in both Istanbul and Ankara.

Deadline for Application: Friday, December 16

Contact:

Melinda McClimans, Assistant Director of the Middle East Studies Center, mcclimans.2@osu.edu 614-292-6506

Application materials:

A single page biography, including:

Name (as written on your passport)

Gender (for hotel room assignments)

Date of Birth (for airline ticket)

Title

Institutional or other affiliation

Experience with international cultures and/or domestic diversity (can be regarding class, gender, ethnicity, race, or a range of backgrounds or identities with whom one has interacted).

A single page, 12 pt. font, statement of purpose, including your international and/or domestic intercultural experiences - why would you like to participate? How would you contribute to the purpose of the trip?

Requirement: Travel Journal and/or blog, final reflection paper or project.

Overall Project (the trip is a part of): Turkish-American Exchange on Educational Materials and Resources

Project Goals:

To build a community of policy leaders and educators in Turkey and the United States, and by sharing our experience and knowledge, create teaching resources for K-16 education and beyond.

To identify a set of shared academic and social goals within the realm of global education.

Desired outcomes:

Educational Material on Turkey, for K-16 and the community at large.

Transnational partnerships between Turkish and American teachers and schools, inclusive of study tours, online communication, and collaboration on instructional materials.

Increased exchange on teaching and curriculum issues and the associated public policy challenges

Sponsorship: The Middle East Studies Center at the Ohio State University would like to thank the Niagara foundation for their partnership and their generous financial and logistical support of this trip.

321 Oxley Hall 1712 Neil Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43210 Tel: 614-292-5897 Fax: 614-292-4273 E-mail: mesc@osu.edu