We would like to share with you the following research & educational materials we recently added to our library. Please feel free to pass this information onto to anyone who might be interested. Contact us at 803-252-2197 for more information.  

Have you ever considered being a host family for an international student?  AYUSA International is looking for host families in our area:

AYUSA International:   AYUSA (Academic Year in the U.S.A.) International is a non-profit global youth exchange organization that offers students, ages 15 to 18, the opportunity to live with volunteer host families and to study in local high schools for an academic year or semester.  For over 20 years, AYUSA has promoted world peace through inter-cultural understanding by reaching into areas of the world where student exchange has never been possible.  In 2002-2003, AYUSA welcomed students to the US from over 60 countries, including countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific.  American students had the opportunity to study in over 20 countries. 

YES Program:   The Partnership for Learning Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) will bring approximately 75 high school students from 10 predominately Muslim countries to spend an academic year in the U.S. living with American families across the country.  The purpose of the program is to help restore mutual respect and appreciation between diverse cultures.   For the 2003-2004 School Year, Columbia will host a cluster of two to three students. Sister Cities of Columbia, administered by the World Affairs Council, and AYUSA International will be working to bring together exchange students, American host families, local communities, and educators to make the YES program a success. 

To become involved in this project, contact:

Marion Crane
AYUSA International
(803) 776-6138
[email protected]

Silk Road Encounters: A collection of materials to help teachers prepare for lessons on the Silk Road, and to also provide presenters of the Silk Road festivals & concerts with information, history of music and musical instruments.

The Silk Road Encounters Education Kit supplements traditional classroom materials with the Sourcebook, Teachers Guide, Lesson Plan Guide with CD, and the video: �Silk Road Sounds.� The Sourcebook is organized into six thematic sections: Geographical Setting, Historical Background, Belief Systems, Arts, Travel of Ideas & Techniques, and Music of the Silk Road.

Southern Center for International Studies World in Transition series: Guides and accompanying videotapes covering seven world regions from a geographic, economic, political, cultural and environmental standpoint.

The instructional guide contains essays, lesson plans, and activities for teachers and social studies education providers to use in the classroom. Activities in the guide incorporate the videos, which also contain current and historical news footage. These materials are designed to follow the National Council of Social Studies Curriculum Standards.