Embassy Adoption Program 

Introduction

The Embassy Adoption Program, a global education program, pairs area embassies with sixth grade classrooms to engage students in cultural and international enrichment activities. The program is implemented in partnership with the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS).

Goals

• Enhance students’ cultural competency
• Increase cross-cultural communication skills
• Aid students’ understanding of their local and global communities

Details About the Program

Classroom sessions

Embassy representatives visit classrooms to share their culture, history, languages and society employing visual aids, art and other educational resources.

Field trips

Students often travel to cultural centers, museums, film screenings and even restaurants to gain hands-on experience with their adopted culture.

Embassy presentation

In the spring, students are invited to demonstrate what they have learned about their adopted country by performing a presentation for the ambassador and embassy representatives. Past performances have included skits, music, dance and puppet shows.

Mini United Nations

At the close of the school year, select student ambassadors convene to debate and draft resolutions on global challenges in a General Assembly simulation.

United Nations field trip

Student ambassadors from the Mini United Nations are invited to travel to New York City for a day tour of the United Nations headquarters and courtesy call at a selected mission to the United Nations.

Get Involved

Teachers and Principals 

Educators will be invited to participate in the Embassy Adoption Program at the beginning of each school year. The program curriculum is closely aligned with the current sixth-grade Social Studies curriculum. If you would like to assist with program activities and instruction and are not the key teacher, please contact the teacher or principal directly.

Embassies 

New embassies are always welcome to contact our program staff to participate in the program. In early August, our staff will begin inviting embassies to participate in the upcoming academic year.

DC Community

Volunteers may assist with art-related activities, give tours of cultural centers or galleries, or teach dance or other related activities. If you are interested in working with the Embassy Adoption Program, please complete a volunteer application. 

More Information

• Subscribe to the Embassy Adoption Program newsletter
• Participating Embassies [link to 2009-2010 participating embassies]