What is the Global Youth Exchange?

The Global Youth Exchange (GYE) Program was envisioned as a way for Mia to foster greater cultural understanding among ten young people in Minnesota (ages 14–18) and ten young people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The program, which ran from January through May 2020, was designed to offer an art-based curriculum and travel experience and then culminate in a group exhibition.

GYE has been an opportunity for young participants to expand their global perspectives and develop critical-thinking skills and self-confidence through the exploration of the following themes: U.S. and Vietnamese History and Culture, Art and Storytelling, Identity and Narrative, and Empathy and Perspective.

Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, GYE participants were not able to travel to Vietnam, host Vietnam-based youth in Minnesota, or have an in person art exhibition at Mia. Instead, GYE participants will have the opportunity in the coming year to take Southeast Asian language and cultural workshops through the Southeast Asian Diaspora Project. GYE art-making sessions shifted to virtual sessions after March 15, 2020. GYE participants have put together a virtual exhibition, below, to highlight their experiences, artwork, and stories.

Generous support for this program is provided by the Gale Family Endowment.

GYE Partners

GYE themes and curriculum have been developed in collaboration with Mia’s project partners the SEAD Project and Renaissance International School Saigon. The GYE Virtual Exhibition highlights the experiences and journey of the ten Minnesota-based GYE participants and shares how they have connected with the Vietnam-based GYE participants throughout the process.