The Youth Mentoring Initiative features opportunities for Fulbrighters to mentor youth during a High School Writers program for public school students, held in partnership with Sarah Lawrence College and Yonkers Public Schools. The Greater New York Chapter mentors youth as the students write about diversity, conflict resolution & global issues in these workshops, thereby imbuing an international lens and raising awareness of cultural issues. 2017 marked the 17th anniversary of the Youth Mentoring Initiative.

Every summer, Sarah Lawrence College produces a High School Writers program for public school students. About 90 high school students from around the country participate, and both foreign Fulbrighters and alumni mentor the students, joining in the workshop activities and imbuing an international lens while raising awareness of the Fulbright program amongst “future American Fulbrighters.”

Fulbrighters participate in workshops with students in theHigh School Writers program, encouraging an international perspective as the students write about diversity, conflict resolution & global issues. The program offers them the experience of working in a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment that values the risks and adventure of the writing process. The day begins with a gathering of staff, Fulbrighters, and students. There are two workshops in the morning, followed by a lunch. After lunch, Fulbright alumni and students engage in a conversation during which they speak and address questions concerning their Fulbright experiences and respective grant or home countries. In the fall, the high school students that participated in the program receive awards for their work and Fulbrighters are invited to attend the ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments.

The goal of the program is to mentor youth by increasing literacy while imbuing an international lens and raising awareness of the Fulbright program. For an inside perspective of what the day is like, check out Fulbrighter Jarod Yong's post: http://www.jarodyong.com/2016/07/international-fulbright-panel-writers.html