World Affairs Council of Ctrl Fl

Today I began working on the proposal for the “Role of the Media in the U.S.” program. I was able to find some places from the Broadcast and Print media. I thought it was interesting to find out the different things that newspapers and TV stations are involved in and what they have to go through before actually printing or broadcasting. I also found out about the Poynters Institute for journalism and how a visit to their facility would be beneficial to the visitors. Last but not least, I thought it was really interesting that even high schools have their own television broadcasts. This is something that maybe an attractive idea to other countries.

Juliana

Today I finished two proposals for trade and one for the US financial system. The one of the trade proposals was for visitors who are coming from Panama, and the other one is for a group of 18 people from different countries. The US financial system program has visitors coming from Kenya. We also had to do some research on Afghanistan’s Universities’ accounting programs, organizations and partnerships with universities in other countries.

I was able to learn about the different places that deal with local, national and international trade in Central Florida. I also got to learn about the Afghan Higher Education system and the trouble it faces. Finally, I really hope that we get the trade program with the 18 visitors because the places we were looking sound really interesting as well as the fact that there will be people from different countries.

Juliana

I was very excited to send out the proposal for a group from Iran on University Administration, given the concentration of; and cooperation between Colleges and Universities in the area. I thought there was a major opportunity for our guests to learn, but unfortunately the program was postponed indefinitely and won’t be coming. We then spent the day researching a new initiative which the Afghan Ambassador personally signed off of, which would involve detailed accounting education (which Afghanistan DIRELY needs to handle all of the money being donated/invested) for Afghan students. It would be great to see local Afghanis taking part in managing the rebuilding of their country, especially considering how much they have to import, and that they would be able “to account” for their own progress. Hopefully we find more information and get this program under way.

Hasan Bhatty

ICCF Intern

This is my first week, and so far everything has gone smoothly.  I took a tour of the premises, met my peers, learned as much as I can about the organization and work required.  Everyone is nice and outgoing; I just need to break out of my shell and talk more. I started a proposal today, but it is still in the early stage.  With a few good ideas, it should be done and perfect. I will just have to brainstorm over the week-end, and see how it goes. I like the project I chose since it is my favorite subject in politics: Foreign Policy and Security.

We put together the welcome packages for the current program; I’ll get to meet the visitors tomorrow!

Overall it’s been a good week aside from the cold and sore throat I caught thanks to the recent change in the weather.

akpedje

Today I finished the proposal for the aviation program. While putting together this program I learned about Central Florida’s airports and flight schools. For example I learned some of the history of Orlando International Airport; like why its code is MCO. We also put together the program books for the group that is visiting this weekend. I think that the program books are going to be really helpful to the visitors. It includes everything from a welcome letter to a city guide to the hour to hour plan for each day. Finally I began on the proposal for the trade program. So far I have found some useful places where the visitors from Panama can go such as the World Trade Center in Orlando. I am looking forward to learning more about “trade” in our area.

First I want to say to those who read our blog was a great job our interns have done since they started just two weeks ago (and one this week). We have some great programs coming up including a program for visitors from Five countries this week (actually tonight).

Next month we will welcome visitors from Serbria on an Agriculture project which I have not done in a while, should be interesting. There will be a members reception February 17 at the Sheraton Orlando North in Maitland with these guests.

I will head to DC tomorrow for a few meetings while the visitors and our volunteers enjoy the low 70’s here. So enjoy the warm weather here.

Today I finished up looking up the contact and general information on the prospect places for the visitor. Once I finished, my co-worker worked on the proposal that needs to be sent up to Washington for approval. While he worked on the proposal I began looking for places for an aviation program. Once I found some places I looked up the contact and general information. I have also begun writing the proposal for the aviation program. Finally we also watched the presidential inauguration at noon. While working on the proposals and researching places for the visitors to go to I have realized that a lot goes into planning these visits. For example, if the visitor is in the finance department in the school board, then we need to find places in which we can take them that will be related to their specific field.

Today the first official proposal for this semester was sent out. If all goes well we may have a Romanian instructor headed our way to check out local ballet schools and theatre.  With an innovative new Performing Arts Center being built and some of the local productions scheduled for when she will be in the States, it’s an ideal time for a visitor to come and have an enriching experience. There was some other utterly insignificant thing earlier about some guy getting inaugurated … something about Lincoln’s bible, but the excitement of hooking this IV’er kept the crew motivated and on task. We also are about to send two additional proposals out to bring visitors to learn about Aviation, including a Deputy of Airworthiness (which sounds like a Michael Jordan nickname) from India and an Economic Flight advisor from the UK.

Hasan Bhatty

ICCF