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JFSLA has teamed up with Magic Bus to send 12 young women to India next summer
to take part in a unique, two-week Youth Leadership & Cultural Exchange Program!
It may have been months or years since you were last at JFSLA, but here’s another
chance to CHOOSE TO MATTER!
Who is Magic Bus?
Founded in 1999, Magic Bus is a non-profit organization that is working to break the
poverty cycle in India, one child at a time. They use mentors and a sports-based
curriculum to engage children and ensure that they make the right choices from
childhood all the way through to better livelihoods as adults. Magic Bus was the first
non-profit in India to deliver programs using a sport-based curriculum for community
development! They create impact in the areas of education, health, gender equality,
and livelihoods.
About the JFSLA / Magic Bus Partnership
In 2011, Julie began representing Magic Bus USA as their Ambassador. A partnership
was developed to provide adolescent girls from Magic Bus India with the training and
resources needed to become leaders within their own communities. Every summer,
JFSLA tries to bring girls from Magic Bus programs in India to participate at our
Academy. This has always been a great learning experience for our campers, as well as
for the girls from Magic Bus.
Who pays for this trip?
Magic Bus and JFSLA, working as partners, have been awarded a very prestigious
grant by the U.S. Department of State to provide a life changing and safely
managed opportunity for JFSLA alumni. There is no cost to apply or attend.
Tell me more about the Youth Leadership & Cultural Exchange Program…
This is a two-week international exchange program in India for JFSLA alumni, ages 18+
(or will have turned 18 by 12/31/2015). This unique program offers participants the
opportunity to learn about Indian culture, as well as develop their individual leadership
skills through sports and experiential learning.
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Participants will spend time in the city of Mumbai, India, as well as at Magic Bus Center
– a 22-acre outdoor educational learning and development campus approximately 60
miles from Mumbai.
The program focuses on learning, team building, and leadership skills, all of which take
place with fellow JFSLA alumni and while working alongside Magic Bus colleagues in
Mumbai and in rural communities around the Center’s location. With a combination of
cultural and community social interaction in city and rural environments, as well as sport
and adventure experiences in personal, team, and leadership development, the
program offers the ability for individuals to learn and develop an inherent sense of
responsibility and team spirit, and to understand what it takes to be a leader within one’s
own community.
Over the two-weeks, program participants will brainstorm, design, and carry out a
culminating leadership project based on their unique experiences in India.
When is the trip?
Participants will arrive in Mumbai on Sunday, June 19, 2016 and depart from Mumbai
on Saturday, July 2, 2016.
Departure and arrival times from the U.S. will depend on each participant’s location, but
most participants will be departing from the U.S. on or before Saturday, June 18, 2016
and will return back in the U.S. by Sunday, July 3, 2016.
What will I be doing on this trip?
Here are some of the opportunities you will experience while in India:
• Learn about a new culture
• Build authentic and life long relationships
• Serve in slum or rural communities
• Participate in Leadership and adventure workshops
• Learn how Magic Bus uses sports to teach life lessons to underprivileged
children in slum and rural communities
• Tour landmarks in Mumbai, India
• Being comfortable with the uncomfortable!
If this sounds exciting, then we think this unique opportunity could be for you!
Due to the nature of this trip, you should be advised of the following difficulties that may
be faced during the program:
• Exposure to extreme heat, humidity, and rainfall (highs in the upper 80's, 86%
humidity)
• Experience of jet lag
• Eating food you may not typically be accustomed to
• Witnessing of extreme poverty
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Why should I apply?
• This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop and build upon your leadership
skills in another country
• Chance to increase self-confidence and interpersonal communication skills
• Increase ability to work within teams (on or off the field)
• Increase your capability to effectively adapt to new situations and environments
• Be empowered to be an ambassador of social change within your community
• Build life-long relationships as you expand your personal horizon
• Learn about a culture and country while having fun!
Who is supervising this trip?
The ten JFSLA alumni selected to participate in this program will be travelling with two
JFSLA veteran staff members. Once you arrive in India, Magic Bus staff will be in
charge of all itineraries, transportation, accommodations, and meals.
A separate session covering clothing, food, accommodation, communication,
health insurance, vaccines, and medications will be conducted before departure.
This program requires determination but is truly a great opportunity for you to expand
your horizons by being out of your comfort zone. Are you ready to join us? Apply now:
https://magicbus.seamlessdocs.com/f/PxGOZ5
The deadline for this application is November 30, 2015.