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Reflect EU & US Program
Through moderated virtual exchanges amongst European and American undergraduate students, the Reflect EU + US Program promotes global education by forging strong transatlantic relationships. Funded by the German Marshall Fund, Reflect EU&US provides a safe space for students to discuss, debate, and engage in the following topics: Racism, Nationalism/Right-Wing Extremism, Slavery/Forced Labor, Gender, Law and Punishment, and the Post-World War II World Order. Participants are anonymous and represented by an avatar. This virtual cross-cultural exchange program will be followed by a two-week in-person trip abroad that will take place on both sides of the Atlantic. The virtual portion of the program will take place over a period of two years, taking into account each student's university requirements. Individual coaching regarding international programs, jobs, internships, and general personal development will also be offered to all participants. All students completing the Reflect EU & US Program will be granted a Certificate of Global Studies.
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about
Culture Academy’s Reflect EU + US Program promotes global education by forging strong transatlantic relationships amongst students from both the European Union and the United States. In partnership with the Willi Eichler Academy, a well-established non-profit based in Germany with a long-standing reputation for enhancing political education, along with various European universities, the “Reflect EU + US” project is both a virtual and experiential learning program for those students interested in our mutual history, interests, and problems. It has been created out of the necessity to foster transatlantic dialogue amongst students on critical global issues.
education partners
Willi Eichler
academy
Culture academy
The Willi Eichler Academy is a political education organisation that is guided by the fundamental values of social democracy. The Academy promotes lifelong, inclusive learning and seeks dialogue with all those who see political and civic engagement as an important pillar of our democratic order. This educational work is carried out with a view to sustainable development and global responsibility.
Culture Academy is based on a mission to provide American students with the cultural and global competency skills necessary to succeed in our world. We do this by providing systems-based education programs, spaces for intercultural dialogue, and experiential learning abroad programs.
our
challenges
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The changing and tenuous relationship between the United States and the EU as well as the United States and the rest of the world.
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Growing global inequality affecting economic well-being and education levels.
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A lack of student knowledge and engagement with global history.
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The rise of disinformation and conspiracy theories and what that does to our global relationships.
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The shortcomings of digital learning structures at the high school and university levels.
Our Goals
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To forge stronger relationships amongst American and European students by engaging in virtual learning programs and cross-cultural, experiential exchanges.
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To offer students a space to enhance, discuss, analyze, experience, and act upon their knowledge of critical global affairs.
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To educate students on EU/US transatlantic relations and improve student knowledge of the global issues that affect the United States and Europe.
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To motivate students to become global citizens and enjoy the beauty of our world.
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To develop non-formal educational spaces to enhance student learning.
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To encourage students to think critically about the complexity of our global problems as well as our global solutions.
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To promote democratic values, tolerance, and respect for others.
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To promote solidarity amongst students from different parts of the world.
JEFF KATCHERIAN, PHD
Jeff Katcherian founded Culture Academy to give students the opportunity to see the world differently through global education and experiential learning. Jeff is a cultural anthropologist, university instructor and successful owner of three thriving businesses. His passion for studying Europe and our world resulted in his receiving a Doctorate in Anthropology from UC-Irvine where he taught courses in Cultural Anthropology, European Studies, and Global Studies. While preparing his dissertation, Jeff helped facilitate the launch of an EU-US Transatlantic Degree Program in Brussels. While working at the European Commission and Culture Action Europe, he developed relationships with and gained the trust of civil society members, politicians, academics, and industry experts all while navigating a complex political system. As a Researcher at the Institute for Money, Technology, and Financial Inclusion, Jeff conducted research on global regulations over mobile banking and payment practices among the world’s poorest people. As a cultural anthropologist, educator, and business owner, Jeff wants to share his passion for this beautiful, complex world.
SUSANNE DRAKE, PHD
Susanne Drake is a historian and art historian PhD, fascinated by the similarities and differences of the various cultures in this world. She grew up and studied in Germany and France. She has been based in Brussels since 1992, when she started working for a political group in the European Parliament. In 1997 she co-founded the Institute for international assistance and solidarity. For many years she worked in leading positions managing international programs and projects on intercultural understanding, independent media and conflict resolution, working with many international organisations in Russia, the Balkans, Caucasus, and the Middle East. Since 2013 she was a freelance advisor to EU based non-governmental organisations and organised conferences, exhibitions and round-tables, advising them on networking, alliance building, and lobbying towards the European institutions. Since 2021 she works exclusively for Willi Eichler Akademie e.V., imagining, researching, and writing international cooperation projects inside and outside of the EU.