The FIUTS blog is updated several times a week with stories and news from the FIUTS community of students, hosts, staff, alumni, and more.
Since 1948, FIUTS has helped build a global community, tied to the Pacific Northwest, in which people are connected through friendship, mutual respect, and a commitment to international understanding. As we celebrate our 70 years, students and alumni reflect on what community, growth, dialogue, leadership, celebration, and connection have meant in their FIUTS experience.
Read MoreThis year's Seattle Language and Culture Institute (SLCI) brought together 24 students ages 13-17 from all over the world together for an incredible two weeks with FIUTS!
We had some amazing experiences with this fun, motivated, and energetic group. From classes in the mornings to exciting activities every afternoon and evening, every day offered countless opportunities to share cultures, learn languages, and make friends. Here are our top 10 favorite photos!
Read MoreOver the last four years, FIUTS has hosted Study of the U.S. Institutes for student leaders from around the world. This program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, has so far brought 100 university-level student leaders to Seattle for intensive programs focusing on media, journalism, and civic engagement.
During their time in Seattle, SUSI participants are matched 1-1 with a University of Washington student "Ambassador" who served as a peer mentor, cultural liaison, and friend. Many SUSI participants and Ambassadors have stayed in touch and made friends for life. This month, as we are celebrating our program alumni, here is a blog post about the incredible connections between SUSI alumni and their Ambassadors!
Read MoreJuly 30 is the International Day of Friendship! To celebrate, we asked a few members of the FIUTS community to submit photos and stories about the cross-cultural friendships that they've made through FIUTS. Take a look, and share yours in the comments!
Read MoreIn honor of the International Day of Friendship on July 30, we are publishing a series of blog posts on cross-cultural friendships in the FIUTS community. Read on for a reflection on the friendship between a homestay program participant and host.
Read MoreFaces of FIUTS is a social media campaign that collects personal stories from individuals who are part of our work. This week, meet Kim!
Read MoreThe students of the FIUTS Leadership Committee have selected the winner of their quarterly photo contest. Photos were considered on the basis of the quality of the photo and its connection to FIUTS. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos!
Read MoreIn honor of the International Day of Friendship on July 30, we are publishing a series of blog posts on cross-cultural friendships in the FIUTS community.
Here is a post by Anuja Khadka from Nepal, writing about her experience in 2014 as a participant in the Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and New Media. Anuja and the other 19 participants from South Asia were all matched with a University of Washington student "Ambassador" who provided guidance, cultural insight, and friendship during their time in Seattle.
Read MoreFor the last week, FIUTS has been fortunate to be able to host the second year of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program with Latvia and Lithuania!
Sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia, and coordinated by FIUTS in Seattle, this program inspires and empowers high school students to engage in a cultural exchange experience and learn ways in which entrepreneurship can strengthen communities and improve people's lives.
The students have recently completed an entrepreneurship program in their home countries during which they developed their own small businesses. Read on to learn more about them and the businesses they created!
Read MoreWe're excited to welcome the newest member of our summer/fall staff team! Read about Hope here and stop by the office to say hi.
Read MoreFaces of FIUTS is a social media campaign that collects personal stories from individuals who are part of our work. This week, meet May!
Read MoreThe weekend of June 30 – July 1, a group of eight UW students from different cities and countries braved the rain and camped overnight at the Mount Baker Clear Creek campground during a camping trip organized by FIUTS.
Read MoreWe're excited to welcome three new student assistants to our office! Andrew, Kori, and Lilly all started this week and will be working for FIUTS full-time during the summer on various programs and activities, so say hi to them if you stop by. Here's a little bit more about them.
Read MoreFIUTS is pleased to be featured in a recent provost report on "The Husky Experience as a Global Experience." This report describes the many ways in which the University of Washington seeks to "create inclusive international communities on campus, and develop all students’ global competencies."
Read MoreThe Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on Civic Engagement is a program of the U.S Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This institute is hosted by FIUTS in Seattle each year for 20 undergraduates from southern Africa who spend five weeks developing leadership skills, learning about civic engagement, and preparing to implement projects that benefit their home communities once they return home. Read on for a post by Pelinah about her SUSI project!
Read MoreFaces of FIUTS is a social media campaign that collects personal stories from individuals who are part of our work. This week, meet Anumeha!
Read MoreFIUTS is very excited to have two new friendly faces at the front desk, who will be answering phone calls, working on events and activities, and greeting walk-in visitors. Tomoi and Nana from Bellevue College are our new interns, so stop by the office and say hi!
Read MoreThe president of the 2017-2018 FIUTS Student Board, Diana Park, was featured in this video from the University of Washington's Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Diana is from South Korea and recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Earth and Space Sciences and Oceanography and actively participated in research during her time at UW. You can read more about Diana and the other students featured in the video on the UAA website.
Read MoreFaces of FIUTS is a social media campaign that collects personal stories from individuals who are part of our work. This week, meet Chinara!
Read MoreAt the 2018 FIUTS Blue Marble Bash fundraiser on April 27, three inspiring students spoke about their experiences connecting with others through FIUTS programs. We'll be publishing the text of these speeches over the next couple of weeks so that those who couldn't attend the event have a chance to hear what these incredible members of our community have to say.
The following is the text of the speech by Alvin Duong, a student at UW Bothell studying biology with a minor in chemistry. Alvin has been involved with FIUTS as an ambassador for the SUSI (Study of the U.S. Institute) program with Southern African students.
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