Second, 3rd, and 4th-grade students from Southgate Elementary in Austin, Minnesota, traveled the world as Global Minnesota international volunteers Mariana, Gabriel, Moinak, and Daehan shared their cultures and perspectives on Brazil, Ghana, India, and South Korea with 15 classrooms.

This World Cultures Day event is part of Classroom Connection, which brought together Southgate students and teachers with international volunteers for interactive cross-cultural lessons that promoted international understanding, global perspectives, and connections. Through the program, the Austin Public Schools District aimed to celebrate the growing cultural diversity in classrooms as well as in the community by having learning opportunities available for its students. “This is an opportunity for our school to learn about different cultures and celebrate our students for who they are,” said Principal Katie Baskin. “We wanted to celebrate the different cultures that exist in our building. This is amazing. This opens the door to the world for them.”

Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day in Austin was funded in part by support from Hormel Foods Corporation, a member organization of Global Minnesota.

Celebrating Cultures: Global Minnesota opens doors to the world for Southgate students, Austin Daily Herald

Photo credit: Eric Johnson, Austin Daily Herald

Austin elementary school students were reminded that we all live in a global village, thanks to Global Minnesota’s Classroom Connection international volunteers from Brazil, Ghana, India, and South Korea. During a day-long World Cultures day, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students at Southgate Elementary traveled the world as Mariana, Gabriel, Moinak, and Daehan shared their cultures and perspectives on other parts of the world.

Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day in Austin was funded in part by support from Hormel Foods Corporation, a member organization of Global Minnesota.

Austin Students Reminded that it’s a Small World After All, Channel 6 KAAL-TV

Photo credit: Channel 6 KAAL-TV

Students at Southgate Elementary in Austin, Minnesota learned about countries from across the world, without ever leaving the classroom. Global Minnesota’s Classroom Connection international volunteers from Brazil, Ghana, India, and South Kore spent the day with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students and teachers for a World Cultures Day of interactive cross-cultural lessons that promoted international understanding, global perspectives, and connections.

Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day in Austin was funded in part by support from Hormel Foods Corporation, a member organization of Global Minnesota.

Southgate Elementary Celebrates Different Cultures, KIMT 3 News

On March 28, the Ambassador of Latvia to the U.S. Andris Teikmanis opened the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in the State of Minnesota. The Honorary Consulate will be located in Wayzata.

The opening was attended by more than 70 guests including other honorary consuls, local government, business, and Latvian community representatives.

The Ambassador was in Minneapolis for a two-day visit. During his first day, he visited local Latvians and met with Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie.

Ambassador Teikmanis opens Latvian Honorary Consulate in Minnesota 

Photo credit: Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States of America

Star Tribune editorial writer John Rash sat down with 2019 International Women of Courage Award recipient Razia Sultana to discuss her work with the Rohingya diaspora and Great Decisions topic on global migration.

Global Minnesota was proud to host Razia for a professional exchange opportunity.

The humanitarian example of Razia Sultana, an ‘International Woman of Courage’

Photo credit: Brittany Lynk

Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie authored an editorial about the value and contribution made by the Twin Cities German Immersion School to the international reputation for global-mindedness of Minnesota.

The Twin Cities German Immersion School: A valuable asset for our community, our educational system, and for the global stage