HIGHLIGHTS
February 2015
• IP Community Programs: Jo Santiago & Birds of Prey
• Spotlight: Shahin Sharif Ali, ARS
Sustainable Perennial Crops
Laboratory, Beltsville, MD
• Culture Corner: Cultural Resource Library
• J-1 Rules & Regulation Update
• International Intern Accolades
• IVP Welcomes Newest Team
Member
• 2015 Washington, DC Educational
and Cultural Excursion
• Presidents’ Day Quiz
• On the Horizon
For more information on the
International Visitor Program,
please contact Brenda Dean:
(email) bdean@fs.fed.us
(tel) +1-202-644-4600
The US Forest Service International Visitor Program (IVP) facilitates participation
in a wide variety of professional and educational exchanges, which encourage scientific collaboration and discovery, increase intercultural understanding, and promote
cooperation among people of many cultures and countries.
IP COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: JO SANTIAGO & BIRDS OF PREY
Recognizing that people
play an integral role
in the conservation of
migratory wildlife, US
Forest Service International Programs focuses
on promoting community involvement in its
outreach. Public awareness is a crucial component of migratory bird
Photo credit: Sean Kelley
conservation. Citizens
who are enthusiastic
about birds, informed about threats, and empowered to become involved can
make tremendous contributions.
Jo Santiago, a Specialist in Birds of Prey with the USFS-IP Latin America Program, regularly conducts interactive presentations focusing on the conservation of raptors and their habitats. Jo cares for injured birds of prey that
cannot be released back to the wild and includes them in her educational programs. She works with migratory raptors, as well as birds native to the eastern
United States. Her presentation includes a red-tailed hawk, a broad-winged
hawk, a merlin, and an eastern screech owl. Jo and the International Programs
staff make frequent visits to schools and community centers in urban areas
such as Washington, DC and Chicago, as well as in rural communities of West
Virginia. Teachers, students, and their families have an opportunity to interact
safely with the live birds, and to learn about wildlife and how they can get
involved in their schoolyards, their home communities, and even in their own
backyards.
Jo’s presentations are unique as her program themes go beyond the types of
raptors, their physiology, and habitat needs. She focuses on the importance of
birds in our world, while talking about what can be done to assist with their
conservation. Themes such as communication skills, recognizing unspoken
body language, resilience, and leadership are incorporated into each presentation alongside important ecological themes such as habitat improvement
and the protection of raptors. The sheer charisma of birds of prey and their
impact with audiences makes them excellent teaching partners and important
ing craze to visit the US and experience its work culture
and be a part of this diverse nation. In 2013, we got the
opportunity to move to two of the renowned institutions of the US – The National Institutes of Health and
The United States Department of Agriculture to pursue
our postdoctoral research.
What have you been researching?
I am working on the genomic characterization and
management of fungal diseases of cacao, the chocolate
tree. I am part of a core research team based in the ARS
Sustainable Perennial Crops laboratories, BARC-ARS,
Beltsville, Maryland. The team is headed by Dr. Bryan
Bailey a plant pathologist and Dr. Lyndel Meinhardt, the
Research Leader. Though originated in Central America,
cacao is now grown throughout the humid, lowland
tropics and is the basis of a multibillion dollar confectionary trade.Various diseases are the major constraint
in the production of cacao causing 20-90% yield loss in
different areas. Among the most dangerous of these diseases are frosty pod and witches’ broom that occur in
the Western Hemisphere, cacao swollen shoot virus and
the damaging black pod disease are found in Western Africa; whereas vascular streak dieback is present only in
Asia. Our research goal is to investigate the mechanisms
involved in the interactions between cacao, pathogens of
cacao, and biocontrol agents in order to develop effective disease management strategies leading to sustainable yield improvements of cacao. Though cacao is not a
US crop, the US is one of the largest importers of cacao
beans and there is no dearth of chocolate lovers in this
nation inspiring us to save the cacao industry from these
diseases.
Photo credit: Kristin Corcoran
symbols for all migratory bird species. Jo and her colleagues will continue to invest in future generations
by mentoring youth and inspiring them to follow their
dreams. This unique outreach program fosters an appreciation for nature-based programs and encourages
students to pursue careers in the natural resources.
SPOTLIGHT: SHAHIN SHARIF ALI,
ARS SUSTAINABLE PERENNIAL CROPS
LABORATORY, BELTSVILLE, MD
Please tell us a bit about yourself and your
background.
I was raised amidst the greeneries of a small town in
Assam—a northeastern state of India blessed with
few of nature’s wonders like the foothills of Himalayas, one-horned rhinos and the tea gardens that have
always mesmerized tourists of all ages. Growing up
as a kid, I had an adventurous childhood. Later, we
moved to the capital city of Assam, where I finished
my studies and then got an opportunity to do my
PhD in Ireland, which was another thrilling experience of my life. Nicknamed as “The Emerald Isle” for
its green countryside, Ireland was a wonderful experience of my life as its friendly and welcoming nature
always made me feel at home while in a foreign land
and also because it was during my stay in Ireland that
I got married and started my family. During our stay in
Ireland, as young professionals both me and my wife
were inspired by people who had shared their experience about the work culture and the people of the
United States. Thus, that had seeded in us an everlast-
Photo credit: Naushaba Hasin
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What have some of your favorite memories
What are some of the cultural activities you
been while here in the US?
have participated in during your time here?
It’s now been two years that I have spent in the US,
One of the most memorable cultural gatherings that
and every day has been a new experience for me.
I attended last year was the 2014 Washington, DC
One of my favorite characteristics about the US is
Educational and Cultural Excursion. This excursion
its diversity in culture and the dedication that people
provided me an opportunity to meet the staff from
feel for work. I have always enjoyed my time in the lab
the US Forest Service International Visitor Program
and the conversations with my colleagues and superwho have helped me in every aspect of this visit so
visor on our ongoing research. Apart from work, I
far. Also, it was a great pleasure to meet researchers
am also thrilled by the nature’s beauty, bestowing all
from across the globe who have been a part of the
her colors in all the four seasons. The cherries that
US Forest Service and USDA and share our experiblossom at the spring time letting us know that spring
ences and feelings about coming from different places
is knocking at the doorsteps, the different shades of
and sharing a common goal. During this excursion I
red, yellow and orange you
also got the opportunity to
get to see all together in a
take a tour of the headquarsingle maple tree and pretty
ters of USDA in Washington,
landscapes during autumn
DC and meet Dr. Ann Barand spring has always left a
tuska, USDA Deputy Under
mesmerizing feeling in my
Secretary for Research, Edumind. The cherry blossom
cation, and Economics with
festival in Washington DC,
whom we spent around an
a long drive through the
hour talking about research
streets of New Hampshire
and training. I feel lucky to
and Shenandoah National
be living in the the heart
Park during autumn, making
of downtown Silver Spring,
a snowman, ice skating at
(L to R): Mary Strem, Dr. Shahin Ali, Dr. Lyndel Meinhardt Maryland and enjoy being a
and Dr. Bryan Bailey. Photo Credit: Marshall Elson part of an international comSilver Spring Ice Skating Rink
at Veterans’ Plaza and then
munity where I get to meet
running home to get into a cozy couch with a cup of
people from different cultural backgrounds in gatherhot chocolate during the times we got unscheduled
ings and events organized by the community.
leave due to snow fall is the best way I felt to enjoy
winter. When I think of the weekends, nothing can
What has been the most rewarding part of this
be as relaxing as spending your day with your family
exchange so far?
and friends in the National Mall at Washington, DC.
From my experience in the last couple of years here
Sometimes visiting the Smithsonian Museums and
in the US, I feel that I am in the right path towards the
building up your general knowledge on America’s
goals that I want to achieve in the near future. Being a
history or times when it’s a beautiful sunny day and
part of this exchange program and working in USDA
you hang out with your loved ones in the Mall passing
has given me an opportunity to meet people and
your time talking and feeding the squirrels. The 4th of
interact with them both on the personal and profesJuly has also been a night that I enjoyed in Washingsional level and understand their dedication to their
ton DC, laying down on the ground and watching the
work. Being a part of the cacao research team I have
fireworks.
had an opportunity to interact with researchers from
cacao growing areas like Indonesia, West Africa, and
Central and South America who have been providing
us with research materials. During the past two years,
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I had an opportunity to work with two researchers
from Indonesia and Ghana and thus share my knowledge and research experience with them. I also have
trained two high school students during this period
that also gave me a chance to understand the young
minds at work. Working with people from all ages and
different cultural backgrounds the past two years in
USDA has guided me towards fulfilling my purpose
for being in the US. I also feel lucky to be a part of
this exchange program as I got the opportunity to
share my work tradition with which I was raised back
home.
had to work at it together to settle down in a new
place. Coming from Ireland, which was a small country to this nation we were not sure what lessons life
would teach us here. The first half of the year passed
buy as a glimpse as both of us were trying to settle
down both at work and at home. The United States,
being one of the world’s topmost economies, most
young individuals have a dream to come to the States
and experience a US-based lifestyle and see and feel
the experience of being a part of this nation. Born
and brought up in India, spending five years in Ireland
and then flying to the US have distributed a spectrum
of flavors in my life about the diversity, livelihood and
culture of people around the globe and have taught
me to inherit the qualities that will help me in building
a healthy lifestyle.
What has it meant personally and professionally to have this experience?
When I look back now, finishing my studies and coming to the US to carry out my postdoctoral research
has left an imprint in my mind forever that I have
made the correct decision as a young professional.
The past two years’ experience has nourished the
individual in me and has trained me to become an
independent human being and also, at the same time,
this experience has taught me to deal and interact
with people. As I look forward to a career in academia and establish my own research group in years
to come, this visit is one of the best opportunities
to nurture my career goals and build networks with
people from across the globe as I feel that networking is very important in the field of research. Also, I
feel that guiding young people and also collaborating with other research laboratories has given me a
chance to nurture that leadership quality in me which
I believe is another important quality in being a group
leader. As being a part of cacao research team, I have
also learned to work as a team in meeting deadlines
to submission, coordinating with people and getting
organized and focused on my ongoing research which
I feel are all important to build up the scientist within
me.
CULTURE CORNER:
CULTURAL RESOURCE LIBRARY
Learning how to live and work in a new culture can
be challenging. The adjustment process can be difficult
and awkward, but it can also be rewarding and a lot
of fun! Here is a short list of resources that can help
visitors and hosts alike understand the experience.
If you would like to share the titles of your favorite
books, films, or websites about intercultural communication or cross-cultural adjustment, please send
them to leeablaser@fs.fed.us so we can include them
in a future issue of Branching Out.
NONFICTION
• Americans at Work: A Guide to the Can-Do People
(book, 2004). Intercultural expert and trainer Craig
Storti uses practical advice to explain U.S. American
workplace behavior and professional values such as
straight talk, feedback, and nonverbal communication.
• American Ways: A Guide to Foreigners in the United
States (book, 2002). International educator Gary
Althen decodes everything from family life, driving,
romantic relationships, and reasoning among U.S.
Americans.
Personally, when I look back to the year 2013, the 1st
of January when we landed at the Dulles International
Airport and took a shuttle to a hotel we booked
in downtown Silver Spring, the only thing that was
mingling in my mind was life would be tough and we
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• Beyond Culture (book, 1976). U.S. American anthropologist Edward T. Hall discusses many ideas, including the concept that culture exists on a spectrum
of “high context” to “low context” to describe how
people make meaning of their environment and
those around them.
contribute to this international anthology of short
stories on cultural adjustment.
For more cross-cultural themes in academic
writing, movies, or novels, check out the following resources online:
• Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors,
Institutions and Organizations Across Nations (book,
2001). Author Geert Hofstede uses IBM as a case
study to develop his cultural dimensions theory
which includes power distance, individualism,
uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and long- term
orientation.
• Intercultural Film Database:
www.uni-hildesheim.de/interculturalfilm/index.php
• International Journal of Intercultural Relations:
www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-intercultural-relations
• Literature on Intercultural Issues (with a section
specifically for children): www.carla.umn.edu/culture/
resources/publications.html
• Intercultural Relations: Communication, Identity, and
Conflict (book, 2013). Gary R. Weaver curates this
compilation of articles from over 50 different
authors and researchers to cover a broad range of
topics from intercultural communication theory and
international negotiation to Third Culture Kids.
IVP TEAM WELCOMES NEWEST TEAM
MEMBER: LEE
BLASER
FICTION
• Americanah (book, 2013). Author Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie explores race, love, and culture
through this compelling story of a young Nigerian
woman who comes to the United States to study.
The International
Visitor Program team
is happy to introduce
our newest team
member, Lee Blaser.
Lee joined the team
in late September to
serve as our liaison for
Forest Service interns,
trainees, volunteers,
and researchers. Prior
to joining International
Programs, she was the
Program Coordinator for an organization that provided English language
education and community development support in rural areas outside of the Ecuadorian Amazon. She also
served as an academic advisor at American University
in Washington, DC. We are excited to have her as
part of the team and we hope you enjoy working with
her as much as we do!
• Lost in Translation (film, 2003). Set in Tokyo, this film
depicts the feelings of loneliness that can sometimes occur when faced with a language barrier
abroad.
• Me Talk Pretty One Day (book, 2001). American
author David Sedaris describes the challenges of
adapting to French language and culture in these
hilarious and poignant short stories.
• The Namesake (film, 2006). Based on the 2003 novel
by Jhumpa Lahiri, this story follows a Bengali couple
as they immigrate to the United States and straddle
two very different cultures.
• On Being Foreign: Culture Shock in Short Fiction
(book, 1986). Authors from around the world
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IMMIGRATION & PROGRAM UPDATES
J-1 Rules and Regulations: New Rules Effective in 2015
The U.S. Department of State has just amended several J-1 Exchange Visitor Program regulations in the Code
of Federal Regulations that will go into effect in 2015. New requirements for health insurance coverage, English
language proficiency, J-2 contact information, J-2 early departures, and incident reporting will impact host and visitors participating in the USFS International Visitor Program.
Health Insurance Requirements
Effective May 15, 2015, the minimum coverage requirements for health insurance coverage will increase. The new
requirements apply to both J-1 visitors and their J-2 family dependents, who must be fully insured throughout
their stay in the United States. The changes are outlined below.
Visitors who are covered under the Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) or International Services/
IMG plan obtained through our office need not worry! Both plans include coverage levels that meet or exceed
these new requirements.
Visitors who have obtained health insurance coverage on their own through other providers need to check their
current health insurance policies to ensure the policies meet the new rules, then, send documentation and proof
of their coverage to their International Visitor Program Specialist.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Although sufficient English language proficiency is not a new rule for visitors participating in the Exchange Visitor Program, the State Department has added new measurement and documentation requirements. Specifically,
hosts must determine their prospective visitors’ English proficiency via an objective measurement, such as a
recognized English language test; diploma or other document from an academic institution or English language
school; or a documented in-person or videoconferencing interview. In addition, the level of proficiency must go
beyond that which is needed to participate in the J-1 program to include proficiency to function on a day-to-day
basis in the United States, comprehend materials, and understand fully their rights and responsibilities and to
obtain assistance in emergencies, if necessary.
USFS International Visitor Program will be implementing some minor changes to host application materials for
those inviting future new international visitors for J-1 exchange programs. A supplemental form will ask hosts to
document how they have determined their prospective visitor has the English language proficiency to navigate
daily life during their program.
J-2 Contact Information
Another notable change is the new requirement for J-1 program sponsors to collect contact information for all
J-2 dependents (spouses and children) and to enter this information into SEVIS. IVP will begin requesting and
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updating phone and email contacts for all J-2 dependents
over the age of 17 in the coming weeks.
For more information on the new J-1 program rules, go
to: http://www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/Supporting_International_Students_And_Scholars/ISS_Issues/Issues/J_Subpart_A_Rule_Resource_Page/
USDA Intellectual Property Rights
All international visiting scientists working with the US
Forest Service will be required to complete and sign an
agreement acknowledging their understanding of USDA
policies regarding patents, licensing, and assignment of
rights. The new International Visitor Application Form was
adapted to include language from the form currently used
by the Agricultural Research Service, which is the lead
USDA agency for patent and licensing policy.
INTERNATIONAL INTERN
ACCOLADES
We are proud to announce that
one of our J-1 exchange visitor
interns, Lasse Lybaek, received a
Certificate of Appreciation award
for outstanding accomplishment
in restoration work of threatened,
endangered, and at-risk plant species of the Hawaiian dry forest.
Lasse, an international volunteer
intern form the Danish Forestry
College in Denmark, is completing
a 9-month program and we look
forward to seeing all of his future accomplishments in the
field as well!
The IVP team will be sending an email notification to all IVP hosts and visitors to provide more
details about all of these policy updates and forms. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.
PRESIDENTS’ DAY POP QUIZ
In honor of President’s Day, test your knowledge of the US Presidents, First Ladies and Presidential Pets.
6. What type of pooch is First Dog Bo Obama?
a. Portuguese Water Dog
b. Golden Retriever
c. French Poodle
d. Mutt
7. Which president was known to walk his pet raccoon
on a leash?
a. Bill Clinton
b. Calvin Coolidge
c. Abraham Lincoln
d. George Washington
8. Who was the first president to name his dog Fido?
a. Abraham Lincoln
b. Theodore Roosevelt
c. George Washington
d. James Monroe
9. Who was the longest serving president?
a. Franklin D. Roosevelt
b. George H. Bush
c. Theodore Roosevelt
d. Thomas Jefferson
10. Which president served the shortest term in office?
a. Zachary Taylor
b. Gerald Ford
c. William Harrison
d. James Garfield
Answers:
1(b); 2(c); 3(c); 4(a); 5(b); 6(a); 7(b); 8(a); 9(a); 10(c)
1. Who is considered the author of the Declaration of
Independence?
a. George Washington
b. Thomas Jefferson
c. John Adams
d. Barack Obama
2. What day is Presidents’ Day celebrated?
a. The first Friday of February
b. The first Monday of February
c. The third Monday of February
d. The second Tuesday in November
3. What president had been a successful Hollywood
actor?
a. John F. Kennedy
b. George Bush
c. Ronald Reagan
d. Franklin D. Roosevelt
4. Which First Lady was a professional dancer and model in her youth?
a. Betty Ford
b. Rosalynn Carter
c. Laura Bush
d. Eleanor Roosevelt
5. How many of the former first ladies are still alive?
a. 4
c. 6
b. 5
d. 1
Please Share Your Stories!
We would like to invite everyone to
share photos and stories about yourselves, your programs, and the exchange
experiences you’ve had in the United
States and abroad. Please submit your
stories, pictures, ideas, and feedback to
Misty Sidhu at mksidhu@fs.fed.us
Contact Info
Brenda Dean: bdean@fs.fed.us
Misty Sidhu: mksidhu@fs.fed.us
Kristin Corcoran: kacorcoran@fs.fed.us
Rima Eid: rimaeid@fs.fed.us
Lee Blaser: leeablaser@fs.fed.us
Tel: +1-202-644-4600
ON THE HORIZON
US Holidays and Special Occasions
Monday, February 2
Saturday, February 14
Monday, February 16
Sunday, March 8
Tuesday, March 17
Sunday, April 5 Wednesday, April 22
Friday, April 24
Groundhog Day
Valentine’s Day
Presidents’ Day (Federal Government closed)
Daylight Savings Time (Turn clocks forward 1 hour)
St. Patrick’s Day
Easter
Earth Day
Arbor Day
If you are a visitor to the US, ask your American hosts, friends and colleagues how they celebrate these holidays.
Hosts, we encourage you to use this opportunity to share an aspect of
American culture with your visitor(s)!
2nd ANNUAL WASHINGTON, DC
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCURSION
OCTOBER 6-9, 2015
Disclaimer
This newsletter has been produced by the
US Forest Service Office of International
Programs International Visitor Program Staff.
Information in this publication is provided
for the benefit of current or prospective
Program participants or USDA program
hosts engaged in exchanges through the US
Forest Service International Visitor Program.
Any information provided in this newsletter on immigration regulations or financial
issues is subject to change at any time and
without notice. For official legal advice on
immigration or tax matters, please consult a
certified attorney or tax professional.
Join the International Visitor Program team and fellow international visitors for the
2nd annual Washington, DC Excursion on October 6-9, 2015. This 3-day exploration
of the nation’s capital will provide a unique avenue for international visiting scientists who are hosted by USDA throughout the country to network with each other,
explore the cultural sights of DC, and connect their contributions to the greater
missions of USDA, ARS, and the Forest Service. Please save the date and be on the
lookout for additional information regarding the application process, tuition cost and
logistics. For any questions please contact Misty Sidhu at mksidhu@fs.fed.us.
The US Forest Service International Visitor
Program is now on Facebook!
Please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/
US-Forest-Service-International-Visitor-Program/380788515370097