
Montego Bay, Jamaica- Karen Francis, a distinguished US English Language Fellow Alumni and Jamaican National, is inviting international students to join her 2025 Citizen Diplomacy Project aimed at bolstering English Language literacy and promoting eco-industries through scuba diving internships.
Leveraging her expertise and experience gained as the 2022-2023 US English Language Fellow to Cameroon, Karen Francis has meticulously designed an Immersive English Scuba Diving Gap Year Internship for Education First as her 2025 Citizen Diplomacy Project.
The Citizens Diplomacy Project will build upon Karen's 2022-2023 Fellowship and is designed to facilitate a global collaboration between her former colleagues at Cameroon English Language & Literacy Teachers Association, and PkFokam Institute of Excellence, and invited partners Education First, Discovery Bay Marine Lab, Ibero Stars's Wave of Change Program and Dressel Diver's Scuba Discovery & Bubble Maker Program.
The Scuba Diving Internship project, slated to be presented for funding during the US State Department's 2025 Citizens Diplomacy Action Fund, epitomizes the goal of the US Global Ties program which encourages program alumni to build community globally by acting locally.
Karen's Immersive English Scuba Diving Gap Year Internship will demonstrate the transformative power of international teacher and student exchanges and fellowships in facilitating English language literacy, cultural appreciation, and environmental awareness.
Project Targets:
Enhance English Language Literacy: Through engaging snorkeling and scuba diving lessons, participants will receive an immersive English language experience that promotes English language literacy and fluency in a dynamic, real-world setting.
Environmental Awareness: Service Learning projects, and internships are designed to work in partnership with the Discovery Bay Marine Lab and Iberostar's Wave of Change Program and will educate students about the importance of marine conservation and sustainable eco-practices.
International Student Engagement: By inviting local and international student participation in these Ed-ventures, Jamaica will become a destination for Immersive English language learning and cultural exchange while serving as an example of regenerative tourism.
Underwater Discovery: Jamaican and international students will be introduced to the wonders of the underground world via Dressel Diver's Scuba Discovery & Bubble Maker Programs, inspiring interest in careers in marine biology , environmental protection, or under-water-tourism.
Internship Opportunities: High school and college students will have the opportunity to enroll in a Gap Year Internship with Dressel Divers, Discovery Marine Lab, Children's Museum or other eco-friendly- industry.
By designing the Immersive English Scuba Diving Internship Project, Karen will meet two of the objectives of the Global Ties Mission, which encourages US Fellowship Alumni to carry out community service projects in the US and around the Globe that protects the environment and builds community through language and technology.

Continuing Education for Cameroon English Language Teachers
For Cameroonian English language teachers in attendance at Karen & CAMELTA's 2023 Technology Enhanced Language Learning Conference, this Scuba Diving Camp Project will serve as a model for Project Based Instruction.
Female students between the ages 8-25 years old, with an IELTS Score of 7.0 or above, can register for English Immersion Camps and Gap Year Internships at Childrens CASH Museum.
Jamaica is a world renowned, English speaking, tourist destination, that is in need of Coral Reef and Mangrove Restoration.
Karen's Gap Year Internship project presents a unique opportunity for students in Jamaica and students around the world to improve their English literacy while preserving and protecting Jamaica's oceans and marine life.
Female students between the ages of 8-29 years old, with an IELTS Score of 7.0 or above, can register for English Immersion Camps and Gap Year Internships at https://www.childrenscashmuseum.org/
About Karen:
Karen Francis is a Jamaica National and US English Language Fellow Alumni with a profound commitment to education and community development.
Her tenure in Cameroon at Pkfokam Institute of Excellence and training English teachers in Cameroon's English Literacy Teachers Association CAMELTA provided her with invaluable insights into the intersections of language learning and cultural exchange, which she now brings to the students in Jamaica.
Through this and future Citizen Diplomacy projects, Karen will champion innovative solutions that bridge educational, cultural, and environmental goals.
Learn more about Karen's English Immersion Ed-ventures here
To schedule an interview with Karen email Empress@EmpressZaria.com
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