AMERICAN CORNERS IN TURKEY E-NEWSLETTER NR. 2010/1 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY In March, the world observes International Women’s Day, and, in the United States, Women’s History Month. And while women have made great strides in many areas where they once were marginalized, there is still much work to be done in areas including education, health and gender-based violence. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has vowed to make women’s issues a centerpiece of her term as secretary. During her confirmation hearing, she spoke of her concern with the plight of women and girls, who make up the majority of the uneducated and unhealthy in the world. Read more: http://www.america.gov OPPORTUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM Students with the potential to get substantial scholarship funding from the US universities but need financial assistance in taking the next step towards a US education are eligible. Applicants from all academic levels who intend to pursue a degree can apply for assistance with expenses related to the US school application process such as test preparation classes (TOEFL/ IELTS / SAT / GRE / GMAT), test fees or TOEFL / IELTS vouchers, school application fees, postage expenses, SEVIS/visa fees, travel to US and one-time settling in allowance. Read more: http://www.fulbright.org.tr 1 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles — slavery, prejudice, poverty — as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life. Read more: http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO THE AMERICAN CORNER KAYSERI Mr. James F. Jeffrey, the US Ambassador to Turkey, visited the American Corner Kayseri and had a discussion with the students of the Erciyes University. It was a great opportunity for the students to meet the ambassador and discuss the foreign policy of the US government, Turkey-U.S.A. relations and the importance of English in the world. The Ambassador addressed a group of 50 students. FILM SHOWING IN BURSA The American Corner Bursa had a very interesting program on 26th February 2010, Friday which consisted of a film showing and a discussion. Shocking and informative, the 78-minute SPLIT: A DIVIDED AMERICA takes a behind-the-scenes look at the partisanship dominating the US politics. The film was shown to an audience of ca. 130 students of the Uludag University of Bursa. The film showing was followed with a discussion with the Director, Mr. Kelly Nyks. The students were very much interested in learning more about the partisanship in the U.S.A. and asked several questions. 2 ENERGY ISSUES WORKSHOP IN IZMIR On February,19-20 2010 The Student Workshop on Energy Issues was organized at Izmir University of Economics. The workshop was prepared for undergraduate and graduate students who are working on energy issues to come together and discuss the topic. The event included 16 students from Middle Eastern Technical University, Bilkent University, Istanbul Technical University, Marmara University, Adnan Menderes University, and Izmir University of Economics. During the workshop, a video conference was made with Sara Litke from the US Embassy, Ankara Energy Expert in the Economic Department. FULBRIGHT SEMINAR IN ERZURUM The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase the mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Turkish Fulbright Commission visited the American Corner Erzurum and informed the university students and the academicians about the scholarship opportunities. AMERICAN CORNER GAZIANTEP On December 15, 2009, U.S. Embassy Chargé D’Affaires Douglas A. Silliman, U.S. Consul in Adana Daria L. Darnell, and the Public Affairs Section participated in the opening ceremony of the American Corner at Gaziantep University. Mr. Silliman and Gaziantep University Rector Dr. M. Yavuz Coskun together cut the ribbon for the new Corner. The American Corner Gaziantep is the fifth American Corner in Turkey. 3 BOOK OF THIS ISSUE This book is about the story of jazz, its singers, musicians and impresarios and introduces the readers who know nothing about jazz to an essential part of the American heritage. The book contains fascinating portraits of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker and hundreds of other jazz artists. EJOURNAL USA A globalized economy makes business and employment spill across national boundaries, so an education abroad is likely to make a young person better prepared for the world’s future. Almost double the numbers of students travel abroad for an education today as compared with 20 years ago. Campus Connections examines the international study experience and its influence on individual growth. Read more: http://www.america.gov/publications/ejournalusa.html#0809 WHAT DO THE AMERICAN CORNERS OFFER We provide free access to current and reliable information about the U.S. via book collections, the Internet and through local programming (i.e. author readings, films, speaker programs, workshops, meetings, panels and exhibits) to the general public. Sponsored jointly by the U.S. Mission and the host organization, an American Corner serves as an information outpost. The multi-media, book and periodical collections are open and accessible. 4 AMERICAN CORNERS IN TURKEY The mission of each American Corner in Turkey is to be a partner in promoting mutual understanding between the United States and Turkey. The American Corners in Turkey are located in: - Bursa - Izmir - Kayseri - Erzurum - Gaziantep For contact information please visit http://turkey.usembassy.gov/american_corners.html 5 .