Joe Michell K-8 Fosters International Cultural Partnership

From LVJUSD: On April 11th, Joe Michell K-8 hosted local and international students, families, and staff to celebrate their successful participation in a cultural exchange program between Livermore and Fulda, Germany. Among the attendees of the celebration were Livermore City Councilman Bob Carling and Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Kelly Bowers, Ed.D. The program, built under the auspices of the German Fulbright Kommission, and through the directorship of Joe Michell Principal Laura Lembo and Vice Principal Risha Krishna – a former Fulbright traveler – represents a valuable experience in intercultural understanding and ambassadorship for all involved.

In June 2017, six Joe Michell students, one Granada High School student, and three students from Amador Valley High School traveled to Germany to visit a school campus, tour the historic cities of Berlin and Heidelberg, and shadow German students in their daily life while living with a host family. The purpose of the trip, in accordance with the Fulbright mission statement, was to develop soft skills within the students, to help them see a diverse world, and to build diplomatic relations based on compassion and empathy. “As educators, we serve our students and our local community,” said Vice Principal Krishna. “Programs such as this remind us that we serve our global community as well, teaching students to be better citizens and people.” Joe Michell, as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, seeks to equip its students to be global citizens and to develop social awareness. The trip, said Krishna, served to “enrich students with lessons of compassion and cultural understanding from a young age, and they will carry these lessons throughout their life.”

Now, nine students from Germany are visiting Livermore, hosted by local families. They will have the opportunity to tour the Bay Area and American schools with students who share a curiosity and appreciation of cultures; to immerse themselves in a culture of students like them. “I am very thankful for this exchange program,” said Sarah Kemler, one of the visiting German students. “Everyone has been incredibly friendly. Our host families and teachers have treated us so kindly. There are many differences between our two cultures, but in the end we are still students and teachers, and that is what connects us.”

Councilman Carling commented on the wonderful and unique experience for the students, teachers, and families involved as well as the opportunity to make lifelong, global friendships. “Our young people will be ambassadors to other cultures,” said Tanja Helmeke, a German teacher accompanying her students. “They already have an understanding of the meaning of global citizenship.”

The bond of shared values between two cultures is the cornerstone of the Fulbright Program, developed by Senator J. William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II. Vice Principal Krishna spoke to his desire to foster peace and compassion. “He said we’ve had enough wars,” said Krishna. “It was time to exchange ideas through the power of making human connections.” The students from Germany and America have now established a foundation for a partnership between individuals, schools, and countries. “I recognize the importance of our IB World School mission,” said Principal Lembo. “We can foster a more peaceful world through education.

Image Via LVJUSD