Celebrating J-Day: Lifeguard Olympics
Posted on Thursday, August 21st, 2014 at 4:00 pm.
Exchange visitors taking part in the Lifeguard Olympics in Fairfax, Virginia, gather with representatives of the Capital Area Food Bank.
In this post, my colleague, Jennifer Nupp, shares her experience during a recent visit to Fairfax, Virginia.
J-Day is a day when J-1 visa participants come together in their communities around the U.S. to celebrate and share cultural diversity and American customs. In commemoration of J-Day, the sponsor this August hosted its sixth annual “Lifeguard Olympics” held at the Brandywine Swim Club in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, DC. The sponsor hosts this popular event near the end of the summer season for student J-visa holders working as lifeguards in the Washington metropolitan area as a thank you to these exchange visitors and local employees for all their hard work.
Categories: 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
A Delicious Experience in Lake Tahoe
Posted on Monday, August 11th, 2014 at 12:51 pm.
My last stop on the second leg of Route J-1 was Lake Tahoe, CA. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and it spans both Nevada and California. Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that if Lake Tahoe were poured over the state of California, it would still be 14 inches deep? Lake Tahoe’s initial attraction to hearty souls was its gold and timber resources; however, it’s now famous for skiing, hiking, and 274 days of sunshine each year. With this in mind, I joined a group of J-1 Summer Work Travel students for a day-long hike to Eagle Lake and Emerald Bay Beach.
Categories: Employers, Participants, Program Spotlight
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
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
International Interns and Trainees Mix It Up in Minnesota
Posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2014 at 8:25 pm.
Greetings from Ashby, Minnesota (population = 456). The people in this scenic small town in the Minnesota lakes district will give you a huge hug and welcome you home for supper. I came here to celebrate “Ashby Appreciation Day” with town residents and J-1 international interns and trainees from Brazil, Ukraine, Haiti, El Salvador, Mexico, Georgia, Moldova, Germany, and Switzerland.
Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight
| 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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