Opening Hearts: A Journey of Service and Transformation in China (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781542911658)

Susan Straight has been a leader in the service learning movement in the US since 1994 and has promoted volunteerism internationally since 200 in Japan, Thailand, Argentina, Australia, and then for seven years in China. Her passion is to inspire and empower young people to take an active role in solving many of the world's problems, assuming a deeper responsibility. Susan has trained teachers, developed student projects, promoted service learning at the NM Legislature and in Washington, DC, and created a structure for university students volunteering in Yunnan Province, China. In addition, she has created cross-cultural programs between the United States and China, bringing university students together to assist in alleviating poverty in Yunnan Province's minority villages. The Center for Intercultural Education, which Ms. Straight leads, supports students in running their own projects, learning project, volunteer, and financial management, marketing, and promotion and grant writing. All of the Chinese programs have been student run.