(Chelsea Update would like to thank D&B Strategic Marketing for the information in this story.)
The Pamela Byrnes Foundation recently donated $9,000 to Chelsea Education Foundation (CEF) to start a program that will provide international immersion participation for high school students.
The program is envisioned to be a collaborative endeavor with the Chelsea School District. Together, they will explore program options that support immersive experiences for students spending time abroad. The first trip is targeted to occur in the summer of 2024.
The current vision will provide an opportunity for students to experience cultures in Europe, Asia, South America or Africa.
“We are thinking about how to create a pathway for student international experiences that will provide cultural diversity,” said Amy Forehand, CEF president. “We will rely on the Chelsea School District to find the appropriate service provider to fulfill the international experience.
CEF is happy to connect The Pamela Byrnes Foundation’s generous donation and intention for international travel with the school district’s desire to expand cultural experiences for students. This is an opportunity to build a new sustainable program that CEF can support over time.”
Byrnes shared her commitment to learning and experiencing other cultures. “Much of my career has been focused in the public service sector – as an attorney in Washtenaw County, road commissioner, state representative, and Lyndon Township supervisor.”
She also served as the executive director of the University of Michigan–Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (JSTU), a program that provides University of Michigan and JSTU students and faculty a platform to engage in engineering education and research in an international setting.
“My own international experience changed my focus in college and my subsequent career,” she said, adding, “It is my desire to give Chelsea Students a similar experience.”
Mike Kapolka, Chelsea superintendent of schools said, “We are looking forward to the next steps in the process to create a sustainable and meaningful international experience for our Chelsea School District students.”
If you are interested in learning more or would like to support this endeavor, contact Forehand, president@chelseaeducationfoundation.org.
