The Intercultural Project grew out of the realization that people, especially youth, have the ability to talk past each other and to find a deep and meaningful common ground. We encourage the latter. The Intercultural Program pairs classrooms in America and in Turkmenistan for the students to write letters to one another-classic international "pen-pals".

But that is only the beginning. We offer both classrooms a set of materials (or in the case of the classroom in Turkmenistan, have a Peace Corps Volunteer) to jump-start a real dialogue about the similarities and differences between the two cultures. Turkmenistan is one of the least-known and understood countries in the world, to say nothing of the people who call it home. Thus, we push students in both countries to learn more about the other, to think about their roles and responsibilities, and to question not only the "other" but, most importantly, themselves.

Download the proposal form to initiate an exchange project in your community. (Or, download the Turkmen version.)