For Immediate Release:

Connecticut High School Students Track Terrorists, Learn Japanese Writing and Palestinian Dancing

NEW HAVEN - What do tracking terrorists, writing in Japanese, and stomping out a Palestinian dance have in common? They are all activities of   "Discover the World" day hosted by Yale's Center for International and Area Studies and PIER on January 14. Thirty-six high school students from the New Haven Sound School and Weaver High School in Hartford descended upon Luce Hall for a day of cross-cultural learning and appreciation. The day was made possible by funding provided by the LEARN initiative.

Students experienced culture shock firsthand during a cross-cultural simulation in which imaginary cultures hissed at outsiders and banished others from their kingdom. Following the simulation, the students questioned Yale students from Germany, China, Brazil and Sri Lanka about their own cross-cultural experiences and adapting to life in the U.S. Finally, students rotated through regionally specific workshops in which they learned to write their names in Japanese, tracked a "Gang of 14" through Europe in a geography game, and delighted in learning debke , a Palestinian dance.

More students will return to Yale on March 7 for another "Discover the World" workshop. For additional information or to arrange interviews and photos contact Jeffrey Levick at jeffrey.levick@yale.edu.

Contact Information:
Jeffrey Levick
PIER Director, East Asian Studies
Yale Center for International and Area Studies
Henry R. Luce Hall
34 Hillhouse Avenue
P.O. Box 208206
New Haven, CT 06520-8206
Phone:   203-436-4195
Fax:   203-432-5963