Fudge Versus History
Posted on Friday, August 29th, 2014 at 3:53 pm.
View of Lake Huron and Mackinac Island from Fort Mackinac, built during the American Revolutionary War by the British.
In this post, my colleague, Nadine Zaatar, shares her experience during a recent visit to Mackinac Island.
If you had to choose between working at a fudge restaurant or at a historical landmark, which would you choose? For the several hundred participants placed in Mackinac Island, this is the exact conundrum they faced when deciding on the direction of their Summer Work Travel (SWT) program. I guess the main question one has to ask their self is, “Do I have the self-discipline to avoid eating the tasty samples all day?” Read More ›
Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight
Volunteers Multiplied
Posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2014 at 7:20 pm.
Students visit to the White House!
We regularly talk about the public diplomacy “multiplier effect” achieved through J-1 exchange programs. Exchange programs connect people around the world and link people through common interests, values, and passions. While U.S. designated exchange organizations – sponsors – implement individual programs, the State Department oversees the overall functioning of the Exchange Visitor Program and how sponsors conduct their individual programs. We ensure that the goals we seek to achieve through public diplomacy are fulfilled through J-1 sponsored exchanges. Route J-1 has allowed me to see for myself how that is happening in the area of volunteerism, a major focus area of the State Department’s public diplomacy mission around the world.
Categories: Employers, Participants, Program Spotlight
The Rhode Island State House
Posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2014 at 3:37 pm.
The Rhode Island State House
In this post, my colleague, Deb Shetler, shares her experience during a recent visit to Rhode Island.
Earlier this month, eight Summer Work Travel (SWT) participants had the privilege of meeting with the Governor of Rhode Island and touring the impressive marble state building as part of a cultural event organized by their sponsor organization.
Categories: Participants, Program Spotlight
Celebrating Mandela Day on Mackinac Island
Posted on Tuesday, August 12th, 2014 at 9:44 pm.
Shanelle Mahaden, Marco Ocks, Nokuthula Van Zyl, Emily Dhadhla, and Zinhle Magwaza show off what they have collected through downtown Mackinac Island.
In this post, my colleague, Nadine Zaatar, shares her experience during a recent visit to Mackinac Island, Michigan on Mandela Day:
For 67 years, Nelson Mandela devoted his life to his people and humanity with the belief that each individual has the ability to make an impact. To commemorate his years of service and values, a celebration held each year on Mandela’s birthday, July 18, serves as a day to thank Mandela for his contributions to the world. In 2009, the United Nations declared that day Mandela Day – an International day of service associated with Mandela’s years of service by challenging communities worldwide to make a difference in at least 67 minutes!
Categories: Program Spotlight
J-1 Students Rock!
Posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014 at 5:17 pm.
Students getting ready for their community service activity
In this post, my colleague, Deb Shetler, shares her experience during her recent trip to South Dakota.
Last week, my colleague Yupa and I had the pleasure of getting to know sixteen J-1 international students placed at South Dakota’s Custer State Park Resort as they participated in a community service activity. These energetic students spent a day supporting the state park in its effort to build a new amphitheater.
Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Participants
The Rocky Mountain Intercontinental Connect
Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014 at 2:55 pm.
I just visited Estes Park, Colorado, a beautiful little town that is the starting point for one of the best road trips in the U.S. – Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. My Route J-1 road trip would not be complete without paying homage to this famous route, and the national park that hosts it, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight
A Real Life Fairy Tale
Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014 at 12:57 pm.
Route J-1 took me on an adventure to a faraway land where Robin Hood really exists – about two hours south of St. Louis! I visited Sherwood Forest Camp near Lesterville, Missouri to see some counselors in action at J-1’s Camp Counselor program. Sherwood Forest camp is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the summer camp experience to young people with few financial means.
Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Program Spotlight
It’s Fun to Stay at the Y-M-C-A!
Posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 at 3:54 pm.
I spent my childhood attending YMCA after-school programs and YMCA summer camps, but I had never seen a “Y”, as they are sometimes called, quite like the one I recently visited on Route J-1. The YMCA of the Rockies is nestled next to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado.
Categories: Employers, Participants
Summer of Chocolate
Posted on Monday, July 28th, 2014 at 4:09 pm.
In this post, my colleague, Molly Dillon, shares her experience during her recent trip to San Francisco.
How does spending your summer surrounded by delicious chocolate, the breezy Pacific, and the bustling city of San Francisco sound?
Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight
Good Neighbors
Posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2014 at 8:59 pm.Before I say goodbye to Ashby, I want to highlight a few participants from relatively nearby who came to participate in the J1 internship program. Although they traveled a shorter distance (by hours) than others; their countries may have the most to gain from their participation.
I can think of no better term to describe my new friend, Virginia, from El Salvador than, “she’s got it.” This young woman will share her energy and spirit with you freely and she seemed to be a very focused and determined young woman. She studied agronomy at her university in El Salvador and knew that she wanted to train in the United States. She found out about the program and immediately signed up! Through this experience, she plans to use new approaches to farming in El Salvador, and she better understands why they use certain techniques at home. If there has never been a woman-owned premier farm in El Salvador, I have no doubt that Virginia will break that ceiling!
Categories: Participants
| About Rebecca Pasini Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange | |
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Rebecca A. Pasini joined the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchanges in July 2023. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister - Counselor, Ms. Pasini has been an American diplomat since 1997.
Ms. Pasini previously served as the Director of Public and Congressional Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 2021-2023. Other Washington assignments have included positions in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the Office of Foreign Missions, and as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. She has also completed multiple overseas tours, including as Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan, and as the Consular Chief in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Other tours included Mexico City and Kuwait.
A Maryland native, Ms. Pasini has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University, a master’s degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University, and an undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College.
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