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J-1 Students Rock!

Posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014 at 5:17 pm.

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Students getting ready for their community service activity

In this post, my colleague, Deb Shetler, shares her experience during her recent trip to South Dakota.

Last week, my colleague Yupa and I had the pleasure of getting to know sixteen J-1 international students placed at South Dakota’s Custer State Park Resort as they participated in a community service activity. These energetic students spent a day supporting the state park in its effort to build a new amphitheater.

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Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Participants

The Rocky Mountain Intercontinental Connect

Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014 at 2:55 pm.

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I just visited Estes Park, Colorado, a beautiful little town that is the starting point for one of the best road trips in the U.S. – Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet.  My Route J-1 road trip would not be complete without paying homage to this famous route, and the national park that hosts it, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).

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Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

A Real Life Fairy Tale

Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014 at 12:57 pm.

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Route J-1 took me on an adventure to a faraway land where Robin Hood really exists – about two hours south of St. Louis! I visited Sherwood Forest Camp near Lesterville, Missouri to see some counselors in action at J-1’s Camp Counselor program. Sherwood Forest camp is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the summer camp experience to young people with few financial means.

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Categories: Employers, J-1 Visa, Program Spotlight

Summer of Chocolate

Posted on Monday, July 28th, 2014 at 4:09 pm.

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In this post, my colleague, Molly Dillon, shares her experience during her recent trip to San Francisco.

How does spending your summer surrounded by delicious chocolate, the breezy Pacific, and the bustling city of San Francisco sound?

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Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

International Interns and Trainees Mix It Up in Minnesota

Posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2014 at 8:25 pm.

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Greetings from Ashby, Minnesota (population = 456). The people in this scenic small town in the Minnesota lakes district will give you a huge hug and welcome you home for supper. I came here to celebrate “Ashby Appreciation Day” with town residents and J-1 international interns and trainees from Brazil, Ukraine, Haiti, El Salvador, Mexico, Georgia, Moldova, Germany, and Switzerland.

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Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

Embarking on Leg Two of Route J-1

Posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 at 7:06 pm.

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I just returned home from the beach leg of Route J-1 and have my bag packed for the mid-west and western leg. I have swapped my sundresses for jeans and my sandals for hiking shoes as I am looking forward to farms, lakes and mountains. As a proud west coaster now living on the east coast, I don’t get to the central states nearly enough. I look forward to this exploration and to seeing new places through the eyes of J-1 exchange visitors. On this leg, I will visit interns, trainees, camp counselors and more summer work students.

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Categories: Everyday People, J-1 Visa, Participants

Discover the International Impact in Local Communities around the U.S. on Route J-1

Posted on Monday, July 7th, 2014 at 12:30 pm.

Summer is a time for road trips and discovering new people and places along the way.

I’ve decided it’s time for me to hit the road to meet the people who participate in the Department’s Exchange Visitor Program and to share their experiences, so I want you to come along too! Please join me and my team for Route J-1, a special road trip we’re taking to highlight the faces, places and connections behind the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. We’ll be posting regular updates, pictures and stories right here on the Route J-1 blog. You can also follow our adventures by checking out the J-1 Visa websiteExchange Programs – U.S. Department of State Facebook Page and Twitter account.

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Categories: J-1 Visa

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About Rebecca Pasini

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange

Rebecca Pasini

Rebecca A. Pasini joined the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchanges in July 2023. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister - Counselor, Ms. Pasini has been an American diplomat since 1997.

Ms. Pasini previously served as the Director of Public and Congressional Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 2021-2023. Other Washington assignments have included positions in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the Office of Foreign Missions, and as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. She has also completed multiple overseas tours, including as Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan, and as the Consular Chief in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Other tours included Mexico City and Kuwait.

A Maryland native, Ms. Pasini has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University, a master’s degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University, and an undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College.