July - AFS

Celebrating
123456789 10Years
of AFS Intercultural Programs India
July 2015
Issue - VII
Newsletter
Your source to stay up to date with AFS Intercultural Programs India activities,
events & opportunities
AFS provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the
knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and
peaceful world.
C
O
01
From Director's
Desk
N
T
T
Intercultural
Learning
03
Principals
Meet
E
N
02
04
Arrival
Orientation
National Director
desk
Divya Arora
from
director’s
Your Attitude Determines Your Attitude
(Note: Excerpt from the book-“Switch On”-Author: Vijay Batra)
Attitudes manifest themselves
through our behavior. In other
words, attitudes drive behavior.
Our body language and reaction
in a particular situation is a
result of our mental attitude.
What attitude we adopt in life is
a matter of our choice. We set
out for something in life then
work hard and conquer those
obstacles that are sure to cross
our path. Every step forward
may be loaded with hazards and
attempt to knock you back. The
only way to succeed, however, is
to keep moving forward,
learning from the setback and
boldly looking towards the
future with confidence and
renewed self-esteem.
We live in a universe in which
there are laws, and the laws
apply to all of us equally.
The law of gravity applies to all
of us equally, if we were to fall
off a building, along with the
likes of Sunil Bharti Mittal, or
Laxmi Niwas Mittal, we are
going to hit the ground just a
Sunil Bharti Mittal or Laxmi
Niwas Mittal would.
If the laws of gravitation apply
equally to all, then other laws
also apply to us equally. A great
book to read is ‘The Secret
authored by Rhonda Byrne. The
Crux of the book is the Law of
Attraction. It says, whatever we
think, we will achieve. When we
think positive, we attract positive things, if we think negative, we will attract negative things. Thoughts are
powerful. The likes of Sunil Bharti Mittal and Laxmi Niwas Mittal think powerful thoughts, thus they are able
to attract powerful and positive things into their lives.
How we feel is the result of what we have thought. If we think depressing thoughts, we would feel depressed.
If we feel happy thoughts, we will feel happy. If we are feeling depressed, paranoid, or unhappy, we need to
become aware of the negative thoughts we have thought and start thinking positive thoughts. We will
always take problems as something positive thoughts. We will always take problems as something that we
can never get out of. Developing an attitude of power and positivity will help us overcome all obstacles and
treat problems as puzzles. We will look for solutions on our own. This the keys to reaching high altitudes.
01
intercultural
learning
Level W Training in AFS Mumbai Chapter
Dated: June 14th
Trainers: Arvind Agarwal & Najmuzamman Mohammad
Participants: 16 inclusive of Mumbai and Nasik volunteers and National Office
The training was carried out in Mumbai at the RPG House and was a one day long training on June 14th, 2015.
The training comprised of 16 participants from the Mumbai and Nasik chapters as well as a National Staff
member of AFS IND.
It was conducted by Arvind Agarwal and Najmuzamman Mohammad and local volunteers helped organize the
training. The training comprised of basic ICL concepts such as cultural values and dimensions; communication
styles; AFS educational approach; and cultural adaptation models. The participants found the training to be
engaging and informative. The trainers found the group lively and attentive and felt that their job was made
much easier by the receptive audience. The training was considered a success by both the participants, trainers
and the national staff.
02
FIRST
PRINCIPALS
MEET
AFS Intercultural Programs India’s
10th-11th July, 2015
Check out next pages for more information
AFS India Educational Event
AFS Intercultural Programs India organized its first educational program for the Principals from 10th-11th July in
association withThe Daly College, co-educational partner in Indore. We had 41 Principals from 38 Schools
participating actively in the event Principals Meet: Taking AFS-Indian Schools Partnership Forward. The
inauguration was done by Dr. Sumer Singh, Principal, The Daly College; Ms. Angela Roye, Board Chair, AFS
Intercultural Programs India; Ms. Divya Arora, National Director, AFS Intercultural Programs; and Ms. Sarita
Badhwar, Dean, Internationalism, The Daly College.
The inaugural address done by Dr. Sumer Singh emphasized on various exchange programs available to the
schools and how AFS stands out and represents itself as one of the best organization for exchanges.
The Delegate Principals also had an opportunity to have a discussion on Benefits of Association with AFS and
Intercultural Learning, What makes AFS Exclusive?, and What are the attributes and the educational goals of
AFS?
The Event ended with a Panel Discussion on the Challenges and Concerns while Carrying out International
Exchanges where Panelists discussed and had a dialogue about various challenges and concerns that come
out while carrying out the exchange programs.
The second day of AFS Intercultural Programs India’s education event Principals Meet 2015 started with the
Panel Discussion: Adjustment Issues. During this session, panelists came together to talk about the adjustment
issues that exchange students face at school, with family and peers during their exchange year in a different
cultural setting. They came up with various issues and also the solutions to them all.
We had the honor of having Mr. Padamvir Singh, Director General at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good
Governance & Policy Analysis at Bhopal and former Director at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of
Administration, who spoke on the theme of “Education beyond the Classroom”
During his talk, he spoke of real learning and how it takes place outside the classroom where one needs to be
believe in learning by listening, seeing, experiencing and doing. He further spoke about how AFS model helps
us get that real learning beyond classroom by challenging yourself to make you realize that there are other
ways one can approach and understand.
He added that life skills are very important for the growth. He further added that mainstream education needs
a fresh look and reexamined, so that it focuses on other aspects of life skills such as Language,
Communication, Behavioral, Household skills etc.
The day ended with the session Way Forward: Strengthening AFS and School Relations by Dr. Sumer Singh.
He said, “Education should be for Peace, and in all the AFS work we do, let us not forget the peace part.” He
further added, “We should do more exchange with the conflicting neighboring countries, and we should
definitely do exchanges and interact with the conflict areas within our own country”
The second last session of the day of the summarization of a 2-day meeting and the next steps where AFS
Intercultural Programs India Board Chair, Ms. Angela Roye, urged and motivated the School Principals to build
a strong base where people can trust the organization and move forward together with AFS as an exchange
organization. Ms. Angela Roye also requested them all to use the platform provided by AFS Intercultural
Programs India for networking and moving forward with same vision so that AFS India can organize another
education event like this next year.
The event ended by the thank you note delivered by Ms. Divya Arora, National Director, AFS Intercultural
Programs India where she thanked Dr. Sumer Singh for being the host and a mentor. A special thank you went
out to AFS Indore Chapter President, Ms. Sarita Badhwar, Dean, Internationalism, and Indore Volunteers for
their support in making this event successful.
AFS Intercultural Programs India looks forward to having another Principals Meet next year.
Photos in next pages
03
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4
From left to right: 1. Lamp-lighting ceremony; 2. Gathering of Principals; 3. Welcoming done by Sumer Singh; 4. Inaugration Speech by
Angela Roye
04
Photos of Principals from various schools durign the first day of the event.
05
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2
3
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From Left to Right: 1. Staff & Volunteers; 2. Panel Discussion Members I; 3. Speech by Mr. Padamvir Singh; 4. Principals writing Words of
Wisdom; 5. Panel Disccusion Members II
06
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2
3
4
5
From Left to Right: 1. 5. Energizer; 2.3.4. Discussion on various topics
07
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Words of Appreciation
I had been meaning to write to you to thank for the platform you gave us to come closer and
know the fabulous job being done by other schools. I must thank each member of your team....
Riddhima, Esha, Parul and Aadil for their flawless organisation. It did feel more like a close
family affair.
Ms. Poonam Saiani, Principal,
GD Goenka School, Indore
Thanks a ton for the enriching experience.
“
Thank you for providing us this platform.
“
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Thanks for all the warmth and care.
Ms. Sujata Lakhani, Principal,
Billabong High International School, Bhopal
Ms Sonal Narang, Principal,
Anand Niketan Satellite, Ahmedabad
“
Heartiest congratulations on the success of the first Principal's Meet. I continue to be impressed
by your quiet and unobtrusive leadership style which was a key element in the smooth and
seamless 2 day conference. Thanks to you and your cohesive team for the wonderful
arrangements and hospitality. Wishingyou many more successes.
Ms. Seema Jerath, Principal,
DLF Public School, Delhi
“
This is to say a big Thank you and your team for having successfully organized the AFS at Indore and making
us a part of it. We certainly would like to associate with your projects and would like to ensure that it benefits
the children and society at large. I’ll remain in touch with you and would keep you informed of the
developments once we introduce and share the details of AFS programmes with the Parent, children and
teachers.
Mr. Soham Anand, Principal,
The Indian Heritage School, Pathankot
“
It was a wonderful programme at Indore in context with Principals meet. The program was very well
organized with a professional as well as a personal touch. The panel discussions helped us to know a lot about
the AFS program. I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of this meet. Looking forward to more such
associations. Thanking you.
Ms. Madhumida Jana, Principal,
Shristi English Medium School, Anand
THANKS A LOT for the wonderful opportunity facilitated by AFS for a meaningful interaction with
Principals of various schools enroute to reach the unreached. Thanks Again for the guidance and
support rendered by the AFS TEAM in making the travel and stay comfortable. Honestly, meetings
organized by AFS are like a HOME AWAY FROM HOME with the hospitality and professionalism
catered by all the members of the team. Please convey my kind regards to Esha, Parul, Aadil &
Ridhima.
Mr. GR. Ramesh, Principal,
Chettinad Public School, Karaikudi
“
The wonderful hospitality shown is commendable during our visit at Indore for AFS Intercultural
Programmes India.
“
The arrangement and efforts towards the programme which according to us was not only informative
but also a memorable one. We look forward for more such programmes.
Ms. Shalia A Thomas & Ms. Annie Varghese - Directors
Guardian School, Mumbai
08
AFS Orientation
Hosting Arrival Orientation 2015
AFS Intercultural Programs India successfully conducted its Hosting Arrival Orientation from 2nd to 4th July,
2015 in Gurgaon for 42 hosted participants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Spain, France,
Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Peru, Japan, Russia, Thailand & USA. The orientation was facilitated by 5 Volunteer
Trainers & 6 Staff Trainers.
The main objective of the Hosting Arrival Orientation was to prepare the hosted students to get ready to be
part of Indian culture by giving them insights and training to have a better and easier adjustment in their
hosting community.
They were given firsthand knowledge of Indian culture and were given tips & suggestions to have a better
stay in their host family, school & community.
During this 3 day orientation, various sessions took place to focus on adjustment while keeping in mind the
cultural difference and challenges that can come during their stay in India. The sessions that were conducted
are:
Workshop on Expectations
AFS Rules, Travel Rules & Line of Communication
Risk Management – Help
Chapter Stalls
My Host Family
School Life
Mood curve – Am I OK?
Iceberg concept – Indian Style
Communication Style
Girls and Boys Talk
First Week in Host Community
Chapter Wise Instructions
On the Occasion of the Arrival Orientation, we also had Dignitaries joining us from different Embassies to
meet up with these Exchange Students and share notes and inspire them for the year ahead on the 3rd of
July.
These Representatives were from the following Embassies:
•
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Mr. Monterio Krishna & his Wife - Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Brazil
Ms. Caroline Schmitt - Institut Francais, France
Ms. Maria Rosanna O. - Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Philippines
Ms.Tatyana Kutinova - Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India, Russia
Ms. Patamon and Ms. Oraya Wittayasooporn - Royal Thai Embassy, Thailand
Ms. Jyotsana Bhatnagar, Head-Corporate Responsibility, BP & Castrol, BP India
The International Students showcased their country, culture, traditions and various facts about their country
by way of dancing, singing and short videos etc. On the other hand, the Indian Volunteers put up their
chapter stalls to give everybody a glimpse of what their city/ state is all about. These Dignitaries were quiet
impressed by the enthusiasm of all and interacted on a one-to-one basis exchanging encouraging words and
Best Wishes for their Valuable Exchange Year ahead.
The orientation was a success as it helped hosted students to have understanding of Indian traditions and
cultures; how to face challenges and overcome it; how to adjust in a new culture; and how to have the best
out the experience.
We are thankful to all the AFS Volunteers for taking out time and being part of the orientation. We’re
grateful to Embassy Delegates for joining us for Dinner and interacting with our students and giving them
suggestions for a better adjustment in India.
09
1
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2
4
From Left to Right: 1. Students participating in Cultural Show; 2. Session; 3. Energizer; 4. Cultural Show
11
1
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3
4
From Left to Right: 1. to 4. Cultural Show in the presence of Delegates from Embassies
Share your story/experiences
Write at - aadil.fahim@afs.org
For more information, write us at - india@afs.org
Designed & Edited by: Aadil F.
AFS Intercultural Programs India
Anand Bhawan, 12, Hailey Road, New Delhi - 110001
www.afs.org.in, +91-11-42512498 / 41501672 / 41540827
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