International Teachers

-Yayravi David, Head of Crossover International Academy, Ghana

Give your students the opportunity to share their culture!

Books as Bridges offers international classrooms the opportunity to communicate with youth across the globe, build international friendships and share culture. Each year, students in Kentucky are connected to over 50 International Book Project (IBP) book recipient classrooms. Students share their culture through letters, photos, and artwork throughout the school year.

A Service-Learning Program

As part of the Books as Bridges program, international partners receive the following:

• a shipment of books (approximately 30-35 pounds),


• a $50 stipend (US currency, wired) to be used towards shipping and other necessary Books as Bridges supplies,


• suggested Books as Bridges curriculum,


• contact information of their US partner teacher, and


• a disposable camera to take and send pictures of the students and their school/community to their pen-pals.

With the resources provided, Books as Bridges partner teachers are given the opportunity to use the traditional pen-pal experience as an educational tool in their classrooms. Students not only gain a new friend, but they also practice their language skills as they take their first steps in becoming a global citizen.

Getting Started

International partners for the Books as Bridges program are IBP book recipient classrooms, Peace Corps Volunteers, and schools and educational organizations with an interest in increasing cultural literacy. International partner candidates must have frequent and reliable internet access to be a part of Books as Bridges. This is the best and most reliable way for teachers in the US and abroad to communicate.

If you already receive books from the International Book Project, please submit a request to participate in Books as Bridges.

If you have not applied to receive books from the International Book Project, you will need to fill out two applications to both the International Book Project and Books as Bridges.

International partners who are not interested in Books as Bridges and wish only to apply for books from the International Book Project can be directed to IBP’s website here.