1. The Many Faces and Facets of Music

   Folk music artist Cathy Fink, along with bandmates Marcy Marxer and Barbara Lamb, embarked on a multi-country tour with American Music Abroad in hopes of sharing their Appalachian style of music with foreign audiences.

2. Learning the American Way

   Embracing the tenets of the A-SMYLE program – education, exchange, engagement, and empowerment – Danijela participated in youth leadership conferences that gave her the confidence to meet new people. She credits them and her program coordinator for their support.

3. Living as an American Teenager

   Because of the YES Program I am confident now and I believe in myself.

4. A Crash Course in American Media

   Lamii Kpargoi’s long history of work and deep passion for the ideas of democracy and the rule of law led him to a Community Solutions Program exchange.

5. Unpublished

   Discovering the Many Layers of American Diversity

   Ask Norina Poetter how her exchange experience in America is going and stand by to be "wowed," as her journey unfolds in a whirlwind of enthusiasm and humor that is simply Norina.

6. A Literary Connection

   Filmmaker Ram Devineni travels the Middle East with four writers to connect with Afghan writers, poets and journalists.

7. AWE Alum Recasts Social Issues in Cuban Film

   Filmmaker Diana Moreno is using her production company, Wajiros Films, to redefine what it means to be Cuban – and train the next generation of filmmakers.

8. Student Filmmaker Documents Wildlife Conservation

   According to Dunning, his experience in the Fulbright program was an incredible opportunity that advanced him both personally and professionally.

9. Nayla al-Khaja

   First Name

   Nayla

   Participant Headshot

   

   Short Biography

   

    

   Content created by Virtual Intern Adelle Barkhuizen

   Nayla al-Khaja, who participated in the 2010 International Leadership Program (IVLP), "Film in the U.S.," is one of the UAE’s leading film directors and producers. While on her IVLP, al-Khaja explored the filmmaking industry in the United States and met with key studio representatives. She gained an understanding of U.S. views of censorship, tax rebates, and worldwide film distribution. She was surprised by the absence of UAE-produced feature films in the various international film festivals and she returned to the UAE determined to change that lack of representation. She successfully advocated for government-sponsored art grants in the UAE. Now, as an established filmmaker, she is CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films and chairs the Scene Club, the UAE's first formally recognized film club.

   When asked about her program experience, al-Khaja said, "my IVLP was fantastic and the most beautiful memory was visiting a family in Austin, Texas." She turned that experience into a film called The Neighbor, that has won two international awards.

   By tackling controversial humanitarian and social issues in her films, Nayla al-Khaja is not only a talented producer, she also successfully promotes women’s empowerment in the Middle East.

   Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams

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   Media Links

   Interview with Nayla Al Khaja

   Nayla Al Khaja: First Female Film Producer in the UAE

   Women and the Arab cinema | Nayla Al Khaja | TEDxFujairah

   Reprogramming the human mind in search for the truth | Nayla AlKhaja | TEDxDeiraWomen

   Meet Nayla Al Khaja, the first female Emirati filmmaker

   Home Country

   United Arab Emirates

   Last name

   al-Khaja

   IVLP Alumni

10. Brazil and Basketball: Athletes from Sao Paulo

    

    ECA hosted 14 teenage athletes—seven boys and seven girls—and two coaches from Brazil in the U.S. for a basketball exchange from February 6 to 18, 2013.

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