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Education Abroad

Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

In August 2006, Ahmad Javid, former WADAN employee, entered the Slippery Rock University as a freshman at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The university is a public, doctoral-level university, and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Slippery Rock has provided a generous scholarship to Javid as well as a work study opportunity to offset tuition expenses. The Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation, a charitable organization that works primarily in the Pashtun provinces of Afghanistan supporting education and addressing the fundamental needs of fragile populations, is also assisting. Links are: www.sru.edu and www.goodrichfoundation.org.

In May 2007, Ahmad Javid returned to Afghanistan to spend his summer working for the Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (WADAN). He returns to Slippery Rock University for his sophomore year in August 2007.

Last summer, Javid worked for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC as a Political and Legislative Affairs Intern. Recently, on a winter internship, he worked in the Voice of America (VOA) Public Affairs Office in Washington, DC.

In fall 2008, Javid transferred to Beloit College.


Berkshire School, Sheffield, Massachusetts

Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA accepted its first Afghan student, Matiullah Amin, as a member of the Class of 2008. WADAN facilitated the initial introduction to the American organizations and provided his airfare to the US. . The school provided a one third scholarship, located a donor for another third of the tuition, and received a gift from the Class of 2006 toward the remaining third. The father of the student and the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation are responsible for the remaining expenses. Don and Sally Goodrich serve as host family. Ted Achilles, Country Director of the Afghanistan for American Councils for International Education, the non-profit organization that manages the Youth Exchange and Study Program screened the recommended Matiullah for this extended secondary school exchange. See www.berkshireschool.org.

Both students will return to Afghanistan at the completion of their studies. WADAN is committed to building capable leadership for the country.

In October 2006, Javid and Matiullah traveled to Johnson, Vermont to present at "Learning Democracy, Afghanistan & Vermont" which took place on Saturday, October 7, from 1-4 pm. The event occurred at the Bentley Hall Auditorium at Johnson State College and included the film "Kabul Transit," by David B. Edwards, Professor of Anthropology and Afghanistan Scholar at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, followed by a panel discussion and questions. This event was presented by Creating Peace through Culture and sponsored by Ryan Books, a Johnson bookstore.

The students were also interviewed by the Voice of America (VOA) Radio.