In September, three teachers from Bangladesh spent almost a month in the US, and now we're turning the tables: three teachers from the US have arrived in Bangladesh for a three week visit. During this visit, the teachers will travel from one end of Bangladesh to the other, visiting schools, observing teaching and performing workshops on teaching methodologies.

All three teachers are from high schools in the US: Linda Brant is from the Davis School for Independent Study in California, Laura Sardagna is from the Academy of the Pacific in Hawaii, and Paul Martello is from the Washington Irving School in Virginia.

The main purpose of these trips has been to engage teachers in the US and Bangladesh in dialogue about education. In particular, we are trying to set up two-way projects as part of the Global Connections and Exchange Program in which students and teachers in both countries can work together on cultural lessons.

Each teacher has brought a powerpoint presentation showing different aspects of America. Paul is a big sports fan, so he will introduce American football and baseball as part of his presentation. Laura will talk about the uniqueness of Hawaii and its history, as well as her experiences as an exchange student in the past.

Linda has a special relationship with Bangladesh already, as she hosted one of the Bangladeshi teachers in the US in September. Wajida Sarker Jahan stayed with Linda and her family, and now Linda will spend part of her time in Bangladesh visiting Wajida's family.

To give the teachers a broad look at Bangladesh, the teachers will travel throughout the country, visiting Internet Learning Center schools in each district. As teachers travel in Bangladesh, they will also visit historic and culturally important sites to gain a full first-hand appreciation of Bangladesh's culture. Some of the sites on their itinerary include ancient Buddhist temple ruins, the summer cottage of poet Rabindranath Tagore, famous mosques, Bangladesh's Parliament building, the Sundarban forest, and a number of museums and national monuments.

After the program, when teachers return to the US, they will continue their mission, delivering presentations about their visit to their own classes and communities.