About Hemispheres

The Yale International Relations Association’s (YIRA) Hemispheres program works with 8th-12th grade students from New Haven public schools on developing a thorough understanding of current affairs. Once a week, for 90 minutes Yale students get a (enjoyable) reality check: they gain insight into life as New Haven high school student, decipher New Haven high school slang, and try to make international relations as interesting as Justin Beiber – or whatever the latest teenage gossip is.

In the process, we try to instill in our students essential life skills like public speaking, confidence, and discipline. These kids have outstanding potential: some, who at one time did not know who Hilary Clinton is or the location or importance of Darfur, have now garnered honorable mentions at high school Model United Nations conferences that we attend throughout the year.