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 close to 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, Executive Assistant                            

Sara Taken
Program Director

 Marnie Kitchin
Admissions Coordinator
 
 Brittney Harrell
Program Counselor

 

Flo Rizalado
Program Counselor
   
 

 

 


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

Connect with Us on Instagram!

amityinstitute

Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor 🇺🇲 (BridgeUSA)
International friendship+cultural understanding through teaching exchange 🌍
Admissions is closed!

Amity Institute
Our Executive Director, Jim Price, conducted his f Our Executive Director, Jim Price, conducted his first orientation of the year in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the Spanish Ministry of Education! 

#BridgeUSA #J1 @exchangeourworld
Next stop:📍Scottsdale, Arizona for their teache Next stop:📍Scottsdale, Arizona for their teacher orientation! 

#J1visa #BridgeUSA @exchangeourworld
We've reached the exciting time of the year where We've reached the exciting time of the year where we welcome our new participants and conduct orientations! 

Our School Liaison Officer, Sue Gibbons-Bullock, led us with our first one in Phoenix, Arizona! 🎉

#J1 #BridgeUSA @ExchangeOurWorld
Today we #CelebrateExchangeDay – an opportunity Today we #CelebrateExchangeDay – an opportunity for international exchange visitors and host communities to come together to share cultural diversity and American customs, and to give back to their communities. Join us in raising awareness of the power and breadth of international exchanges. #ExchangesImpact @ExchangeOurWorld
One of the best feelings is sharing many wonderful One of the best feelings is sharing many wonderful memories and building a lifelong relationship with your host family during your program. 

"I am very grateful and proud to have lived such an experience!"

Pictured here: Intern Alum, Chloé Meurisse, with her host family.

@exchangeourworld #J1 #BridgeUSA
Intern Alumni, Eliseo Rivas, shared his journey wi Intern Alumni, Eliseo Rivas, shared his journey with us and what he's been up to since he completed his internship with Amity Institute: 

"Thankful & Blessed. 🙏 I'm so thankful for having had these amazing opportunities.

Back in 2015, I had the privilege to meet such amazing children and host families in Burlingame, California 🇺🇸 through the Interns Program of @amityinstitute . As in every new experience, I was challenged academically and emotionally. But, that powerful opportunity impacted my life for the better! 

In 2016, I came back to El Salvador with more knowledge of the English language and the American culture which I have put into practice at @ccsa_sv and @superate_adoc , where I'm currently working as an English teacher.

In 2018, I loved reuniting with one of my host families in Costa Rica. It was a special moment for me because my father and my sister were able to meet and thanked them personally for all the support they had given me. Such an memorable moment, and thanks for keeping supporting me, @cindy.sibley and @fordsibley 

In 2022, a couple of weeks ago, I was invited to be part of another unforgettable experience. As part of the Spanish Immersion Program, students are arranged a cultural trip to a Spanish speaking country so they can use the language and be more culturally aware. I was given the opportunity to be one of the chaperones of the group so I joined @becerralisa , @cindy.sibley , and 9 students in Costa Rica for a 7-day trip. There's so much I would love to share about this experience, but I just can say that it felt like a dream. I loved to see the students hanging out, enjoying so much about this beautiful country, learning and sharing at all times. Costa Rica has a lot to offer, culturally and touristically 🤩 

Thank you so much everyone who helped and made this possible. What a powerful opportunity!"

We're honored to be part of your journey, Eliseo. We can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

#J1 #bridgeusa
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Address: 1775 Hancock Street, Suite 170 San Diego, CA 92110 Ph: 619.222.7000

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