Amity Institute

Building International Friendship and Cultural Understanding Through Teaching Exchange.

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About

Amity Institute is a U.S. Department of State designated BridgeUSA J-1 program sponsor and nonprofit organization with over 60 years of experience facilitating cultural exchange. In 1962, Dr. Ernest and Emily Stowell of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, founded Amity Institute to meet the needs of American foreign language teachers and students for direct personalized contact with world languages and cultures.

They also sought to involve young people from abroad in American education, family and community life.  Several decades later, Amity Institute has broadened to provide exchange programs that work toward achieving the mission of building international friendship and cultural understanding through teaching exchange.

Today

 

Intern
The Intern Program provides participants the opportunity to live in the U.S., gain teaching experience and serve as informal ambassadors for their country in U.S. schools. Interns assist in the classroom for a minimum of 32 hours per week.  Interns generally live with American host families.
Teacher
The International Teacher Program arranges for certified, experienced teachers from other countries to serve as faculty at the primary and secondary levels in the U.S. International Teachers can be assigned to a school for up to three years and are compensated at rates similar to their American colleagues.


 Meet the Amity Team

 

 Jim Price, Executive Director  
Sue Gibbons-Bullock, Host School Liaison 
Rocelle Cruz, Assistant Director                          

Sara Conui
Programs Director

 Marnie Kitchin-Pajuelo
Admissions Coordinator
 
 Brittney Harrell
Program Counselor

 

Flo Rizalado
Program Counselor
   
Cristian Araujo
Program Counselor

 

Melissa Dominguez
Program Counselor

 

                                                                           

Nena York
Program Counselor
 

Kaitlyn Woo
Data and Admissions Specialist

 

 

 

 


This experience changed my life! Now, I have more dreams and some other goals. I'm so thankful for everything that I've learned. I want to continue growing as a human and as a teacher. The Amity program is one the best things that ever happened to me." - Michelle, 2018-2019 Intern

We have been working with Amity for several years. Learning about different cultures, communities, traditions, music, arts, dances and more, helps our students to see the world as a global place fostering diversity and respect. Having a second adult in the classroom helps our teachers to be able to have more individualized attention to students and work on small groups. Amity has been a wonderful organization to work with, reliable and accessible, bringing highly qualified young people to work in our school."- Maria Buceta Miller, Amity School Coordinator, John Stanford International School

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amityinstitute

Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor 🇺🇲 (BRIDGEUSA)
📣Intern and Teacher Admissions for SY 26-27 is now open! Click the link in our bio to apply today!

Amity Institute
Congratulations to Amity Intern, Blas Cabaleiro, f Congratulations to Amity Intern, Blas Cabaleiro, for being named this year’s Stowell Scholarship winner! 🥳🎉

This well-deserved recognition reflects Blas’ hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone and can’t wait to see all that he accomplishes next.

Please join us in congratulating Blas on this outstanding achievement! 👏✨

A special thank you to our host schools for nominating their interns and for Sonia Sotomayor for surprising Blas! We could not do any of this without your support!
Congratulations to Amity Intern, Talyi Huby Mora, Congratulations to Amity Intern, Talyi Huby Mora, for receiving an award recognizing her professional contribution! 🎉

After the last day of school, Ms. Huby Mora shared a few reflections on her experience:

“The school presented me with a certificate in recognition of my professional contribution, and honestly, I couldn’t feel prouder of the work I’ve done throughout this year. It has been an intense experience, full of challenges, learning, and so much personal and professional growth.

I also want to thank Amity for giving me the opportunity to live such a unique and incredible experience, one that will always hold a very special place in my life.

I’m leaving with memories, people, and lessons that I will carry with me forever 🤍”

#j1 #bridgeusa
Congratulations to Mr. David Trinidad for receivin Congratulations to Mr. David Trinidad for receiving the Teacher of the Year Award! 🇵🇭

“I am humbled and grateful to share with you that I recently received the Teacher of the Year Award from my school-River Valley High School. The award was presented by our school principal last May 1, and this recognition truly means a lot to me as an educator and exchange teacher under the Amity Institute program.

I would like to sincerely thank you and the Amity Institute for your guidance, support, and encouragement throughout my journey in the United States. Being part of this program has helped me grow both professionally and personally, and I am honored to represent the program through my work in education.

I am very thankful for this opportunity and wanted to share this special milestone with you.

Thank you once again for all your support.”

#j1 #bridgeusa
Congratulations to Amity Teacher, Ms. Capili, for Congratulations to Amity Teacher, Ms. Capili, for receiving the “Mustard Seed Award”! 🌱✨

“My name is Russelle Anne Capili and I am proud to be part of Amity Institute. This award recognizes teachers who teach with faith, purpose, and a heart that plants seeds for lasting growth. Seeing parents, students, and STS staff smile, applaud, and cheer filled me with joy.”

#j1 #bridgeusa
Congratulations to 3rd place winner of our Volunte Congratulations to 3rd place winner of our Volunteerism Photo Contest, Hongxu Jian!🇨🇳

“As part of our community outreach, I volunteered at Utah House to help introduce Chinese New Year traditions to local 4H youth. We guided the students through two hands-on activities: ink blowing painting (chuimohua) and dumpling making. The children were excited to learn how to wrap dumplings and use chopsticks for the first time. Everyone had a wonderful time exploring these cultural traditions in a fun and interactive setting.”

#j1 #bridgeusa
Congratulations to our 2nd place winner of the Vol Congratulations to our 2nd place winner of the Volunteerism category of the Photo Contest, Brenda Ivania Guzmán Cruz! 🇸🇻✨

“This photo was taken in Sioux Falls during a Project Warm-Up event with School Principal Tracy Vik and Sonia, an intern from Spain. I had the opportunity to help make and organize blankets for children in need.

It was such a meaningful experience—one that left me feeling grateful and fulfilled. Being able to give back to the community through something made with care and love was truly special.” 💙

#j1 #bridgeusa
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Address: 2727 Camino del Rio S Suite 137 San Diego, CA 92108 Ph: 619.222.7000

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