By NNN-KUNA,
Kuwait : Communication between cultures, namely brought about by the learning of languages, builds strong international bridges of understanding that will endure long into the future, said US Ambassador Deborah Jones.
Addressing students of the ACCESS Microscholarship Program, administered by AMIDEAST, at their graduation ceremony on Friday, she said, “It is important that we – Kuwaitis and Americans – share with one another our perspectives, our cultures, and our aspirations. Communication builds strong international bridges of understanding that will endure long into the future – a bright future that you will be a part of.” She added,
“By learning a new language, each and every one of you is helping to foster and fine-tune a dialogue between the future leaders of our two great nations.”
Jones noted that it was once said, “Language is not a genetic gift; it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – a member of the community of speaker of that language.”
She welcomed the students “to the club of English speakers.” Moreover, she said learning a new language “unlocks a new world of possibilities,” hoping that they would “capitalize” on their language achievement by exploring educational opportunities in the US, which she said was “not only a welcoming, safe place to visit, but also a great place to study.”
She thanked AMIDEAST for its effort, saying that by ensuring the success of the ACCESS program, the institution “is helping to build a solid foundation for future educational opportunities.”
On the sidelines of the event, AMIDEAST Country Director Maureen Aldakheel told KUNA that 115 students that had completed their two-year ACCESS program were being celebrated tonight, as well as another 75 who completed the first year and would be coming back next year again, and 48 students who completed a weekend program that ran from February to May 2008.
“We have had a wonderful group … the students have worked on their language skills with American teachers, and have interacted both in class and outside in extracurricular activities and field trips,” she explained.
Aldakheel added that the program served Kuwaiti high schools students in grades 8-12 and provides 120 hours of English language instruction of which 100 are for classroom-based training and 20 dedicated to weekend cultural activities outside the classroom.
“We also work closely with the Ministry of Education and heads of English departments, and coordinate with them over the distribution of applications for the program and student recruitment,” she added.
During the event, several students made presentations on their experience both in the class and outside. Members of the “theater workshop” put on a play that comprised scenes from the Kuwaiti society.
Certificates were then given out by the ambassador to the students.
The ACCESS scholarship program is funded by the US State Department and administered by AMIDEAST, an organization dedicated to increasing cultural understanding through educational and cultural exchanged between the US and the Middle East.
The scholarship program operated in 39 countries and includes more than 3,400 students.