GUIDELINES FOR MAKING PRESENTATIONS DURING IEW

Share your country and culture with others by giving presentations to:

	Your classmates (history, government, social studies, political science, language classes, school clubs, etc.)
	Elementary, middle, or high schools
	Local community organizations
	Senior citizens
	Neighborhood associations
	Places of worship

Some background on IEW to share during your presentation:
International Education Week began in 2000 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education. This important week is observed all across the United States and in more than 100 countries overseas. IEW is celebrated in November each year during the week before the American holiday of Thanksgiving.

IEW is an opportunity for exchange students worldwide to share with their host communities their cultures and highlight the benefits of international educational exchange programs.

The worldwide celebration of IEW offers a unique opportunity to reach out to people in every nation, to develop a broader understanding of world cultures and languages, and to reiterate the conviction that enduring friendships and partnerships created through international education and exchange are important for a secure future for all countries. You can make a difference by sharing with others your culture - your history, government, language, food, holidays, school system and traditions.

Visuals can help your presentation

	Show photos of your country, friends and family
	Bring a map or your national flag, or make a poster with facts about your country
	Share your favorite recipes or foods
	Read your favorite story or recite a national poem
	Play your national anthem or song
	Prepare a video or PowerPoint presentation about your country or city

Your presentation might include some of the following examples...

An introduction
	Introduce yourself in either your native language or another foreign language and in English.
	Give your name, your home country, and share a little bit about your experience as an exchange student.

A story about your home country
	A day in the life of a typical teenager in your home (or host) country
	What school is like in your home country
	What it is like to live with your host family - describe a day in the life
	Describe a holiday celebration in your home country and its importance
	Describe a funny experience you had on your exchange - in school, with friends, with your host family
	Describe the strangest thing you have learned about your host country
	Describe the biggest difference you see between your home and your host country
	Describe how your exchange experience has impacted you, your host family and your own family. Did you change at all? Has it shaped your plans and goals for the future?

A focus on a certain topic(s)

Government: Explain how your government functions. Discuss the similarities and differences between your government and the U.S. government.

History: Tell about your nation's history.

Culture: Discuss the different types of food, music, dances, traditions, etc. in your country. Bring in food samples, demonstrate dances/songs, or play traditional music from your country.

Language: Teach students a few simple phrases in your native language.

Important Social/Political/Religious Issues: Talk about some of the specific things that people in your country are interested in or concerned about. You can discuss family trends, economic issues, social/environmental problems, importance of religion, political changes, etc.

Special thanks to the Center for Cultural Interchange, Council on International Educational Exchange and Youth For Understanding USA for providing some of these guidelines.