Ambassador Feinstein Meets with Parliamentary Youth Exchange Students

9 February 2012

Ambassador Feinstein meets with Parliamentary Youth Exchange Students

On February 8, Ambassador Feinstein greeted a group of high students who are participating in this year’s U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange program. In addition to meeting Ambassador Feinstein, the students also participated in a “Meet America” program. Cultural Attaché Andrew Paul spoke about life as a diplomat, followed by a presentation about the Millennial Generation by Deputy Cultural Attaché Frankie Sturm. That evening they attended a special buffet dinner at the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission, Bill Heidt.

This outstanding group of 15 students from Wrocław, Lublin and Kraków will travel to the United States to spend four weeks studying in American high schools in California, Colorado, and Minnesota.  They will attend school, do presentations for school and community groups about Poland, and take part in volunteer activities and job-shadowing/internships.  During their last week, the participants will fly to Washington, DC for a week-long Civic Education workshop to learn about and see how the U.S. government functions and the role that civil society plays in it.

The Parliamentary Youth Exchange program was initiated by Senator Richard Lugar in 2009. The program offers students and teachers from the U.S. and Poland the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and a deeper understanding of each country’s history and culture.  It promotes the establishment of enduring ties with peers from other countries while exploring the vital commonalities of education, politics, and culture.