What is a Cultural Consultant?
Cultural Consultants are international members of the Metro DC community that are trained to give International Classroom presentations in the public and public charter schools. International students, embassy staff, and international professionals are trained by Meridian staff in interactive and cross-cultural teaching techniques in order to provide dynamic, interactive and fun presentations about their home countries to students. Cultural Consultants give one-hour presentations with the help of Meridian staff that drive them to the school and help them in the classroom.

Consultants are trained to relate their experiences of growing up in a foreign country by stimulation of the five senses through use of interactive tools such as music, food, articles of clothing, currency, and other artifacts. Meridian’s Educational Outreach staff assists Cultural Consultants in making presentations, and provides training, guidance, and support.

Benefits
Cultural Consultants not only have the opportunity to share their culture with enthusiastic youth, but also to immerse themselves in the culture of the United States. Many international students and professionals long for a way to engage in the greater DC community, and to get to know the world outside their own college campuses and offices.

All Cultural Consultants attend training that prepares them for presenting the most effective, diplomatic, poignant, and engaging presentations possible. Meridian staff works closely with volunteers to ensure that presentations are tailored to each audience based on grade level. Meridian staff also always accompanies the Cultural Consultant to the school, assisting with navigation to the school/classroom, presentation preparations, and classroom management.

If you are an interested in becoming a Cultural Consultant, please submit an application below. We welcome all international college students, international university professor, embassy staff or any other adult member of the international community.

How to Join!
To become a Cultural Consultant, please download a Cultural Consultant’s application form. Completed forms should be returned to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please feel free to contact Katie for any questions at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For the 2009-2010 school year, we have Cultural Consultants from...

Testimonials

“To me being a part of this program was a window opened on my lovely country, a great opportunity to introduce my country to people who never heard about it before. It was amazing for me to see young students capable after my presentation to draw my country’s map on the board, capable to give my president s name…I am more than satisfied.” ~Ouzen Oulon, Student at the University of Maryland from Burkina Faso

“I was very happy to participate in the classrooms presentations, as well as educating kids on the world's diversity through talking about my country. These presentations helped me get to know the true American culture. The interactions I had with the kids was amazing, they are so eager to learn more and so open to get to know new cultures. It is great that this program exists to give them this opportunity to be more open to the world.”~Amal Daher, Student at George Washington University from Lebanon

“Participating as a Cultural Consultant has been a great experience. It has reinforced how proud I feel about my heritage and gave me the opportunity to share it with kids full of curiosity, willful to learn my language and culture.” ~Josephina Urziaz, Student at Georgetown University from Mexico

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