As a participant in the BridgeUSA J-1 Teacher Program, one of your essential responsibilities is to complete the Annual Cross-Cultural Activity Report. This report is due every year as part of your renewal application and provides a great opportunity to showcase the cultural exchange that is at the heart of your experience. To help you meet this requirement, here’s a breakdown of what to include in the report, along with tips on how to plan and document your activities.
What is the Annual Cross-Cultural Activity Report?
Each academic year, you are required to complete two cross-cultural activities:
- A Local Activity – Focuses on introducing US students, your school, or district to your home country’s culture.
- An International Activity – Connects US students with students from another country, preferably from your home school, via virtual means or other forms of exchange.
These activities foster understanding, dialogue, and mutual learning between US and international students, while allowing you to share your rich cultural heritage.
Let’s take a closer look at both types of activities:
Local Activity
Your Local Activity should engage students or staff at your Host School or district by offering insight into your home country’s culture, history, or education system. This is a solo project designed to help US participants better understand the world from your perspective.
Required Information:
- Date and Location: Specify when and where the activity took place.
- Audience and Participants: Describe who attended and how they are connected to your Host School (e.g., students, teachers, or administrators).
- Name and Topic: Title your activity and briefly outline its theme.
- General Overview: In first person, explain what you did and how you introduced the topic. For example, did you use a presentation, food, music, or another medium to engage the audience?
- Estimated Impact: Reflect on what your audience learned. Did they express curiosity about your country’s traditions, or discuss how the activity changed their perspective?
- Photos: Include two photos that capture key moments from your event. Make sure the file sizes are manageable.
Example Idea:
You could give a presentation about a popular festival in your home country, such as the Lunar New Year or Diwali, complete with visuals, traditional attire, and a demonstration of cultural practices. You might follow up with a Q&A session for students or school staff to ask questions.
International Activity
For your International Activity, you’ll be connecting US students with their peers in another country—ideally, students from your home country. This could take place through a virtual exchange, where students share perspectives, ask questions, and participate in discussions about their cultures, education systems, or common interests.
Required Information:
- Date and Location: Specify when the exchange took place and whether it was virtual or through another medium.
- Audience and Participants: Detail who participated, including grade levels for both US and non-US students. The international group should be the same age or grade level as your US students. There is a minimum of five participants.
- Name and Topic: Title your activity and describe the main theme. Was the exchange focused on cultural differences, current events, or another topic?
- General Overview: Describe how the students interacted. Did they ask each other questions? Share stories or projects? Was there an assignment to complete beforehand?
- Estimated Impact: Reflect on the outcomes. What did the students take away from this international dialogue? Did they gain a deeper understanding of their peers’ lives in another country?
- Photos: Include two photos that capture moments from the exchange (e.g., screenshots of a video call, a slideshow, or pen pal letter).
Example Idea:
Arrange a virtual pen-pal project where students exchange letters or videos. Your US class could compare daily school life, favorite subjects, or local traditions with their international peers.
Cross-Cultural Activity Report Submission
To make it easier for you, a template is available directly through the online renewal/extension application. Simply fill out the necessary fields for each activity and attach your photos. Ensure your activities are well-documented to meet the program renewal requirements.
By thoughtfully planning and documenting your cross-cultural activities, you not only fulfill your program obligations but also create meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. We look forward to hearing about the connections and insights you foster through these exchanges! For more inspiration, check out our 2023 Cross-Cultural Activity Highlights.