John Edwin Skelton Volunteer, York, England

“The American Center in the Banská Bystrica State Library is a most useful facility. The comprehensive range of books, magazines, and information pamphlets is a superb resource that provides businesses, universities, schools and citizens with reading materials that cover all manners of topics. Thanks to the center, I was able to share my knowledge with students from all over the region and even start a discussion group. Just pop into the State Library and ‘enjoy’.”

Petra Kotuliaková Aj ty v IT

“American Spaces Slovakia are not only physical spaces where we can conduct our educational activities for girls and women. Our cooperation is mainly based on trust and mutual willingness to connect girls and technology, and to create conditions that further develop these connections. American spaces are definitely someone that works with us on the same wavelength.”

Dianne McNarry Cooperative Baptist Fellowship volunteer

“I have been involved with the American Center in Košice since 2005. I first came looking for English language books for myself and children after moving to Slovakia in 2004. I began facilitating a book club in 2006 and have continued to facilitate groups (book club and discussion club) since that time. Through the book and discussion clubs, I have met so many Slovaks who have expanded my understanding of the people and culture of Slovakia. Most importantly I have made many friends that continue through the years. We have built our own community of friends at American Center in Košice.”

Martina Gajdošová Volunteer, Book Club Košice

“I started working with the American Center in Košice as a volunteer in 2019. I am running a Book Club, as books have always been my everyday companions. I’m glad that I can bring people closer to American writers and discuss their work. Every meeting is rewarding and inspiring. What I like most about the American center is that it is a place that brings together people interested in American culture, literature and provides many lectures and useful workshops. There is always a great atmosphere.”

Richard Petro Cultural-creative center Kláštor, Rožňava

“I first came to the American Center in Košice as a student of British and American studies and I remember a lot of aha moments thanks to books about anglophone culture and language. I recall many discussions with the employees of the center that have influenced me a lot at that time. We are currently working with friends to establish an English Corner within our Cultural-creative center Kláštor in Rožňava.”

Martina Martausová Department of British and American Studies, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University

“I started visiting the American center in Košice when I was a doctoral student at the Department of British and American studies and took part in the discussion and movie clubs. I keep coming back to the center now with my students. Not only did we find space for student’s paper presentations, but also opportunities for informal discussions with the public on different topics connected to the American Studies program. The students have the opportunity to be confronted with a non-academic environment. They also appreciate movie screenings with discussions or inspiring presentations of guest speakers. We are very thankful for this space for discussion.”

Lenka Hlinková Ženský algoritmus

„Books, English, and technology. These are the three tools I have been using for my work daily for years. The American Center Košice has them set in a magical space, and under the leadership of skilled people, this combination acquires a very powerful dimension.For the second year in a row, we have been cooperating in the education of women, girls, and teachers in the field of information technology. Together we build a community of tech enthusiasts and despite the pandemic, we are spreading it online and far beyond the borders of Eastern Slovakia. “

Tomáš Filip  LEAF, High School St. Edita Stein, Košice

„As a LEAF lecturer, I lead critical thinking workshops for the American Center in Košice, which are intended primarily, but not only for teachers. It is great that the American Center came up with the initiative for these workshops and I appreciate the opportunity to lead them and get to know not only the teachers but also everyone interested in developing their knowledge and skills. Information overload increases the importance of critical analysis of available data and the ability to distinguish propaganda, disinformation, and conspiracy theories from relevant content, as well as the ability to formulate one’s opinion precisely and concisely. And this is what we are trying to do in the American Center in Košice.“

Martin Kubuš Department of British and American Studies, Matej Bel University Banská Bystrica

“As a teacher of translation studies and an organizer of the Translation Soiree which our department organizes twice a year, I find the American Center’s contribution vital and priceless. Besides the rich selection of books, the center provides our students with an opportunity to meet translators (who translate American literature) in the flesh, as it were. Our students may discuss particular works, they learn a lot about translating, American literature and American culture as such. Thank you!”

Peter Rusinák The American Chamber of Commerce in SR

“Since 2021, the American Center in Banská Bystrica and the American Chamber of Commerce have coordinated a unique development program called Entrepreneurial Thinking.  We promote entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation with representatives of regional government and directors of secondary vocational schools. This project is in collaboration with our colleagues from the U.S. Embassy, and we appreciate the enthusiasm and sense of belonging fostered by the American Center!””

Lýdia Tobiášová Executive Director, J. W. Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchanges in the Slovak Republic

“The mission of the Fulbright Commission is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Slovakia through educational and cultural exchanges. Thus, American Spaces Slovakia are of vital importance to achieve our goal in the regions. The American Centers’ coordinators are an integral part of our team at educational fairs, seminars and information sessions, an important connection to the local academic environment, and a resource of the life and society in these regions. American Centers are also a space where American grantees currently in Slovakia can personally meet with local communities and share the values, culture and life in the United States.”

Frederika Copková Andrej Sládkovič High School, Banská Bystrica

“I visited the American Center for the first time as a high school student and since then I have been very happy to return there, as a teacher with my students. The center provided us with interactive lessons or an opportunity to see an interesting document from the comfort of beanbags (that’s why my students like to come here). In addition, the center gave us lectures on opportunities to study in the U.S. and arranged visits to our school from the U.S. Embassy. The pleasant atmosphere in the center is complemented by the high professionalism of the head of the center.”