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April 26, 2019Publisher’s Note: At the height of 1980s Cold War tensions between the USSR and the US, three courageous Vermonters founded Project Harmony, a nonprofit devoted to promoting cross-cultural exchange programs between Russians and Americans designed to foster mutual understanding of our common humanity. Now, three decades and 10,000 program participants later, PH International, based in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, is seeking host families for summer 2019 Russian exchange students. Interested? Read on about how you can be involved. We talked with PH International program coordinator Tracy Guion about summer hosting opportunities, as well as PH’s three decades of work.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Publisher Rob Williams has participated in numerous PH programs with bright and capable young people from the countries of Jordan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Beyond.
Q. Thanks for talking with us, Tracy! Can you briefly describe the mission of PH International?
A. Thanks for having me! For sure! PH’s mission can be summed up by our motto: “advancing society, connecting people.” Our mission is to build strong global connections through cross-cultural learning, civic engagement, and personal and professional development opportunities.
Q. And when and how did PH International get started?
A. PH got started back in 1985, during the Cold War when things were incredibly tense between the US and USSR. Three local Vermonters were trying to come up with ways to bridge the gap between the people of the US and the USSR. They believed that bringing young people together from these two countries could potentially ease the tension of the Cold War. Personal connections could lead to understanding and understanding could lead to a more peaceful relationship between the two superpowers. It started with a small group of Harwood students traveling to Leningrad to meet with a group of Russians… and now here we are, over 30 years and 10,000 program participants later, with PH offices in Russia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Georgia, Armenia (and Waitsfield!), and all kinds of programs across Eastern Europe!
Q. Describe some of PH International’s current projects.
A. Right now we have all kinds of projects going on in a bunch of different countries! We have English language programs, police and community collaboratives, juvenile justice and legal education programs, youth leadership through sports programs, environmental programs, etc. Our upcoming Youth Leadership through Sports programs will expand our reach to include programs in India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Serbia, etc., as well! Also, this summer in Vermont we’ll be hosting Russian exchange students.
Q. And we hear you are bringing some Russian exchange students to Vermont this July. Tell us more.
A. Yes we are! So in July and August we’ll be hosting two groups of Russian university students for a program called Russia Youth Environmental Program, also known as RYEP. RYEP is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and brings Russian participants to the U.S. for four weeks, where they spend two weeks at an environmental academy at Dartmouth College, about a week and a half in Vermont, and then a few days in both DC and New York City.
During their time in Vermont, the participants visit local businesses, organizations, and universities to learn about their environmental sustainability approaches and practices. One of the most impactful parts of the Vermont portion of the program is that RYEP participants have the opportunity to stay with host families, which allows for them to experience and learn about life in an American home. We’re currently in the process of recruiting host families and planning out an engaging program for these RYEP groups. It’s going to be a fun summer!
Q. And you said you are seeking “host families” here in Vermont. What does being a “host” entail?
A. Yes we are! Well to be begin with, there isn’t one ideal type of host family… a host family can be a married couple, a person who lives on their own, a couple with three kids – all different kinds of host families are okay and are welcome! Being a host entails opening up your home to a Russian student during their stay in Vermont, which usually means about 10 or 11 days in either July or August. The Russian students should have their own bed, but it’s okay if they’re in a shared room. Shared bathroom is fine. Host families should provide breakfast and dinner, and should be able to drop off/pick up their student at designated locations on weekdays. The RYEP participants will generally be busy with program activities on the weekdays, so most of the host family time will take place in the evenings and on the weekends. Other than that, being a host entails allowing your host student to take part in your families’ traditions, daily life, and activities – and be a part of the family!
Q. Any advice or wisdom for our readers who have never before hosted an exchange student from another country?
A. Gosh, hosting can be such an eye-opening experience. I’ve hosted, I’ve been hosted… and it’s just such a unique way to learn about a different country, culture, people… and more often than not, when you open your heart and mind to hosting, you learn about the differences, but what you take away is just how similar we all really are, even if we come from opposite sides of the world. So my advice? Give it a try!
Q. For folks interested in hosting, how do they contact you?
A. If people are interested they can feel free to reach out to me via email or phone, either one works for me! My email is tracy.guion@ph-int.org and my work phone is (802) 496-4545. I’m happy to answer questions, provide more info, explanations, anything!
Q. And how can folks in Vermont and globally find out more about PH International, and support your work?
A. They can check out PH’s website, which has info about our mission, history, current/past programs, etc… or of course, they can reach out to me to learn more about our organization and our work! Right now, a great way to support our work is to spread the word about our need for host families! We really would like to ensure that all of our Russian participants and future program participants get to experience life in an American home, so if folks are interested in becoming a host family or know any families who may be interested, feel free to reach out! Folks can also support our work by donating on our website. Donations are always appreciated, as they help us achieve our goals and follow our mission: advancing societies, connecting people.
