Sharing our Gratitude to Robert, Danielle, and Kaori

From the bottom of our heart, OTW would like to extend our deepest thanks to Robert Lapiner, Danielle Li, and Kaori Uchisaka, who recently ended their tenure on our Board of Directors. They have been tremendous assets to our organization for many years, and have dedicated vast time, energy, and expertise that have helped us thrive.
 

Robert Lapiner was appointed to the board in December 2010 (officially approved by our members in fall 2011), and came to us through our member institution, New York University. In addition to serving as Board Secretary from 2016-2020 and as the most recent Chair of the Staff Liaison Committee, Robert has contributed greatly to our mission through his wisdom and enthusiasm for international education. Robert also has the distinguished honor of being one of the longest tenured board members in OTW’s nearly 50-year history. His dedication and warmth are immeasurable, and his presence will be much missed by our entire OTW family!
 

Danielle Li was appointed in November 2017 (officially approved by our members in fall 2018), and was connected to our work through then Board Member Claudette Mayer (now Board Member Emerita). Danielle also contributed to our work through the Fundraising Committee, and by offering astute legal advice and input. Her kindness and diligence have been a true asset to the organization.

Kaori Uchisaka was appointed in August 2016 (officially approved by our members in fall 2016), and came to us through our member institution, the School of Visual Arts. She has also served with great distinction as Board Secretary from 2021-2025, succeeding Robert in the role. As a member representative who works first-hand with international students, as well as a Fulbright alumna herself, Kaori has contributed vast personal insight that has informed and guided our work for nearly a decade. Her commitment and expertise have been vital to shaping our work for many years.

On behalf of the entire One To World community, we thank Robert, Danielle, and Kaori for all of their efforts and leadership!

I’m the Map: Why Dora the Explorer and Global Classroom Have the Right Idea

Sing it with us, “I’m the map, I’m the map, I’m the map!” Dora the Explorer has been a cultural staple across the world since her television debut 25 years ago. Although a little bit younger than our Global Classroom program, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, both share the vision of “establish[ing] the importance of creating images and telling stories that depict the rich heritage of the global community.” Just like how Dora, with her bright pink backpack and, critical to the comparison here, her trusty map, empowers youth through her adventures, Global Classroom has the power to foster greater understanding, curiosity, connection, and community (and we even have a pretty cool map of our own, see above image).
 

 

During the 2024-2025 school year, Global Classroom transported NYC youth to 49 countries across 6 continents (Antarctica is a toughie), all without ever having to leave their classroom. 3rd graders learned Bhutanese scout yells, made paper Russian stacking dolls, and celebrated holidays like Holi and the Day of the Dead. Middle schoolers were exposed to global challenges like smog, rising sea levels, access to safe drinking water, and national sovereignty, all while participating in real-life advocacy activities! When asked what they learned from the program, one 8-year-old said “I learn[ed] about many countries – there is more countries and many cultures! I learn cultures and tell people about it – it make[s] my culture bigger!” 

 

This clear increase in intercultural appreciation, curiosity, and understanding wasn’t just at the youth level. Our international student volunteers (Global Guides) also provide feedback on their experiences in the program, and it is just as heartwarming to read, especially in today’s tense political climate (let’s be real, we’re all feeling the vibes here). Hikari from Japan commented after her workshop that “the most rewarding part of being a Global Guide could be that I could think about my country deeply. I felt it was precious for me not only to make a fun class but also to find my identity in the US as a multi-cultural society.” Every human involved in this program can feel how valuable these face-to-face interactions are in challenging pre-conceived notions and helping to build a more inclusive society.

 

So, to make a few changes to the beloved Dora song for our Global Classroom audience:

If there’s a place you’ve yet to know

I’m the one to help you go

I’m the Map
 

Stay tuned for future spotlight posts highlighting some of the 49 destinations we adventured to this school year!

Celebrating our Board Members

It is with a bittersweet mix of gratitude and sadness that we announce the end of tenure for three luminary board members: Elise van Oss, Dr. Sue Henderson, and Dr. John Allegrante. They have all been invaluable assets to our organization for many years, dedicating their time, energy, and expertise.

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Top Tips for Staying on Top of Your Finances as a Student

Money matters are a top priority for many students heading to university. But for those adventurous academics who decide to study abroad, it’s even more important to properly manage your finances. Not only will you have to navigate the nuances of an entirely new financial system, but there may be additional costs to pay that you never factored into your budget. In this post, we provide you with three top tips to help you stay on top of your finances from the very start of this new, exciting chapter.

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Networking and Interviewing 101

Being an international student in the US is hard. But being an international student and trying to find a job, particularly in this job market, is harder. So, what are some of the strategies you can employ to find a job in this market?

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One To World at the 63rd Annual U.S. Naval Academy’s Annual Foreign Affairs Conference

One To World’s collaboration with the U.S. Naval Academy’s annual Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC) brings together students from universities worldwide to discuss current global affairs. Yuriy Bistro, a student from Ukraine said, “It opened a new vision for me in collaborating with academic peers. It helped me understand what people from different countries think. Most importantly, we became friends in such a short time that it hurt to part.” As a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and exchange, One To World’s delegation plays a special role at NAFAC by adding a critical international perspective to the student deliberations on U.S. foreign policy.

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The International Student Guide to U.S. Taxes

Moving to a new country is hard enough. You have to find housing, you have to find your favorite bagel shop, you have to figure out the subway system, and worst of all you have to figure out how to do your taxes.

Being an international student, you could be in one of these two situations: you don’t have a job in the United States, or you do. If you have income you definitely need to file taxes. Now you’d think that if you didn’t have a job, you’d be safe from filing taxes and you can delay the “adulting” a little bit and just explore the sights, smells, and eats of New York City. However, you do have to file those taxes, no matter your state of employment.

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Humans of One To World: Finding Your Way in NYC

We’ve all heard the famous line about New York, ‘concrete jungle where dreams are made of’, and a lot of people come to this city to make this saying their reality. We all hope that New York will be the place where we can grow, we can shine, and we can achieve our life’s dreams. But no one really tells you how to do it. We show up in the city, and find a place in Manhattan, or Brooklyn, or Queens. But now that you’re here, what do you do? How do you even begin this journey of finding your place, finding your people, and most importantly, finding your dreams and a way to pursue them?

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Black History Month Reflections: Nigeria to America

Immigrating from my home country of Nigeria to America, “the land of the Free”, has been a life-changing experience. The tears, hugs, and sacrifices that were made the day my Parents decided to explore a different path and selflessly offer us the best gift we could ever ask for: the opportunity to make our choices. While the relocation to America was filled with emotions of excitement, it was also accompanied by countless thoughts and questions. Like how would I fit in at school? What’s the food like? Are they going to be kind? And more.

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