Congratulations to the 42 New FLEX Finalists for 2010 - 2011!
Baku, April 24, 2010 – The U.S. Embassy in Baku today congratulated 42 high school students who will study next year in American high schools under the FLEX Program during a reception at the ambassador's residence.
The students, their parents and previous year FLEX participants joined U.S. Embassy families to celebrate their selection with an American-style barbecue that featured music and dance.
Eurovision contest singer Aysel Teymurzade, who studied in a Texas high school as FLEX exchange participant in 2004-2005, congratulated the young winners, who came from all over Azerbaijan. Close to 2000 students from every region of Azerbaijan competed for the honor of taking part in the FLEX program this year. The 42 selected were successful in tests administered in Baku, Ganja, Mingechevir, Lankaran, Sheki and Nakhchivan.
Donald Lu, Charge' d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy, in a speech to the new FLEX participants, said, "I envy you because you are about to begin your adventure – living with an American family, discovering America not from movies or books, but by making friends in this strange, new world."
FLEX-Ability - South Caucasus Alumni Workshop in Tbilisi, Georgia March 25-28, 2010
Over 55 FLEX alumni from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia met in Tbilisi, Georgia March 25-28 for the 2010 FLEX-Ability Workshop. FLEX-Ability aimed to promote cooperation and cultural exchange among the FLEX alumni of the three countries of the south Caucasus through trainings on leadership, youth development, and project management. Led by six alumni trainers (Ruslan Asadov '04, Mikheil Benidze '06, Hasmik Chakhalyan '01, Arzu Geybullayeva '00, Magda Markosyan '02, Salome Tsereteli-Stephens '00) and three Peace Corps Volunteers (Nichole Cashin, Jeremy Hebert, and Elmer Weaver), alumni developed skills for active citizenship and designed projects that will inspire youth across the region. Teams of FLEX-Ability participants put together realistic follow-up projects including blogging trainings, seminars for youth on human and legal rights, and cultural exchanges via video that will all take place in the three countries in the summer of 2010. The FLEX-Ability Workshop was sponsored by the US Embassies in Yerevan, Baku, and Tbilisi along with funds from the 15th Anniversary of FLEX Alumni grant and administered by the American Councils offices in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
SMOLNY: Study abroad and get two diplomas without SAT and TOEFL exams!
Smolny College is the first academic program in Russia founded upon the principles of liberal education as a joint program of Bard College (USA) and Saint Petersburg State University which is unique both in Russia and Azerbaijan.
For more information contact Aytaj Pashayeva at SmolnyBaku@gmail.com
American Councils for International Education:
ACTR/ACCELS, an international not-for-profit organization, believes in the fundamental role of education in fostering positive change for individuals, institutions and societies. Building upon over three decades of regional expertise and development experience, American Councils advances education and research worldwide through international programs that provide the global perspective essential for academic and professional excellence. In collaboration with partners around the world, our dedicated team of professionals designs and implements innovative and effective programs responsive to the cultures and needs of the international communities in which we work.
Founded in 1974 as an association for area and language professionals, American Councils has focused its expertise on academic exchange, professional training, distance learning, curriculum and test development, delivery of technical assistance, research, evaluation, and institution building.