Youth Ambassadors Program Seeks Host Families

The Center for the Study of Canada is looking for local families to host Canadian students and their teachers, who will be on campus July 19-31 participating in the annual Youth Ambassadors Program with Canada.

The center, in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and Fulbright Canada, will host 16 students and two adult educators for an intensive three-week educational experience designed to promote a better understanding of civic participation, youth leadership, community service and social inclusion. 

The students all represent the diversity of Canada by their geographic, socioeconomic, First Nations, first-generation and multigenerational status.

Quality ‘Very High’

“The quality of student chosen for this program is very high,” said Theresa Bennett, home stay coordinator. “A maximum of 16 youth are chosen from more than 100 outstanding applicants.

Bennett said an important facet of this curriculum is staying with and getting to know American families. As part of the program, participants will design, and upon returning to Canada, implement a service project in their own school or community.

“The consistent track record of significant achievement by Canadian youth, based on projects cultivated and nurtured during the exchange period, has proven to be nothing short of extraordinary,” said Dr. Christopher Kirkey, director of the Center for the Study of Canada and project director for the Youth Ambassadors Program with Canada.

‘Another Perspective’

Jackie Vogl, associate vice president for global education, and her family hosted students twice — in 2014 and 2015.

“It allowed our family the opportunity to give our Canadian students another perspective on American life and to learn from, and grow friendships with, those same students.”

Host families are responsible for providing accommodations, breakfast and dinner, and transportation to and from SUNY Plattsburgh each day. Students and educators are fluent English speakers.

For more information or to host a student, contact Bennett at [email protected] or call 518-564-2160 or 518-561-7894.