Dear World Affairs Seminar Leader,
Welcome to the World Affairs Seminar 2019: The Promise & Perils of Social Media. Thank you for embracing this important role to help make the seminar successful. As a Staff Counselor, you share a unique opportunity to impact individuals from around the world. Since it was founded in 1976, over 30,000 delegates have shared the incredible experience of the World Affairs Seminar. Why do we call them delegate? Because they represent their school, town, state and country, family and friends. As a Counselor, your responsibility is to encourage delegates to interact, learn, grow and share. You will provide their framework for success. You will be challenged to help them become leaders, often while holding back your own input and ideas in deference to those of your small group.
WAS delegates come from five continents, more than thirty different nations, five Canadian Provinces and 22 U.S. States. If you do not see a culture or country present listed, please tell us and we’ll make sure it is recognized.
During your time at WAS you will have the opportunity to hear and interact with international experts, facilitate discussion, explore your personal learning and teaching habits and (here’s the best part) get to know and learn from bright, enthusiastic, incredible people from around the globe. Hopefully you will take away life skills from the “WAS Counselor” experience.
The value of the World Affairs Seminar can be immeasurable – but it will only benefit the delegates in your group if they participate fully. As they experience and learn, encourage them to savor the opportunity to meet new people. Help them to be bold – share their ideas and open themselves to challenge, absorb, learn and grow. When the week is over – and believe me, it will be over far too soon – I hope you will do two things. First, take time to reflect on what you have learned, but what you have seen your delegates learn. Take time to reflect on how you and your delegates have grown as individuals. Second, please share your experience with others so they too can become part of WAS. Tell your friends and classmates about the investment WAS has been in your future. Join the WAS Counselor Group and after you leave, the WAS Alumni Facebook group. We hope you find time to express your opinions about topics for future Seminars and new ways of implementing our teaching methods.
If you have worked with us in the past – welcome back! If this is your first year as a Counselor, welcome to the team. World Affairs Seminar Staff Counselors and Nurses are highly valued and the backbone of the seminar experience. Throughout the week, you will help create a safe, positive, and fun environment, while facilitating the extensive academic curriculum as a cohesive and well-trained leadership team.
Thanks for being part of the World Affairs Seminar. Have a terrific week filled with fun and adventure.
See you in June!
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Plantenberg
Executive Director/CEO
Michael Carriere, PhD
Academic Dean