Cultural Exchange Network Awards Scholarships to Area Students

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – Cultural Exchange Network (CENET) is once again partnering with Concordia Language Villages (CLV) to provide summer camp scholarships for local students to attend award-winning language immersion programs in Bemidji, Minnesota.

CENET’s local program, Culture in the Community, provides authentic, international education to area schools and groups. After learning about Culture in the Community, CLV sought CENET’s partnership to provide scholarships to deserving, bright students from Southeast Missouri. Scholarships are joint-funded by CLV and CENET; this is the 2nd year of partnership between the two organizations.

The local students attending CLV will “explore a new world which is intentionally constructed to evoke the look, feel, sounds and tastes of communities where the target language is spoken. Village life is designed to spark curiosity, encourage discovery, and promote empathy. Because language education alone does not lead to the formation of world citizens, we teach language and culture in global contexts. The lifelong benefits are endless.” (source: www.concordialanguagevillages.org)

The following scholarship winners will attend the premier language programs at CLV in 2017:

Anthony DiStefano of Cape Girardeau, age 9, studying Korean

Bailie DiStefano of Cape Girardeau, age 11, studying Korean

Mia Willis of Jackson, age 11 studying French

Jake Shelton of Jackson, age 13, studying Portuguese

Kyle Crites of Jackson, age 16 studying German

Kevin Crites of Jackson, age 16 studying Spanish

Maggie Shelton of Jackson, age 18, studying Arabic

Returning participant, Maggie Shelton, will once again study Arabic at CLV; Shelton states, “I want to learn more. This program is such an amazing experience, I wish everyone could enjoy this program. My desire is to learn about different cultures all around the world. I believe by attending the language villages, doors to my future will be opened. My options will be endless!”

First-time CLV scholarship winner Kevin Crites adds, “I have always been fascinated with the Spanish culture. Not only do I enjoy the food and music, I also enjoy learning about the many events, places, and people that make up the history of Spanish speaking countries.”

Since 1961, CLV has been preparing young people for responsible global citizenship through their world-language and cultural education programs. The villages have been featured in the New York Times and Washington Post, and received visits from prominent world leaders, including ambassadors, consuls, United Nations officials, and U.S. elected officials.

CENET is a non-profit organization located in the Marquette Tech District in Cape Girardeau. In addition to Culture in the Community, CENET serves as a U.S. State Department authorized visa sponsor. CENET also facilitates The Magellan Exchange, a study abroad program for faculty and staff from universities worldwide, including Southeast Missouri State University.

CENET strives to inspire a safer, more prosperous and compassionate world through international education and cultural exploration. To learn more about CENET’s programs or how to get involved, please contact cenet@cenet.org or 573-335-7111.

Helpful Links:

www.concordialanguagevillages.org

www.cenet.org