Youth Ambassador Program with Bolivia and Peru

It’s been almost a month since our Youth Ambassadors from Bolivia and Peru went back home after fulfilling a 2-week long intensive cultural and academic exchange program. The Youth Ambassador Program is provided for young, emerging leaders from all around the world. FIUTS hosted 13 youth participants and 2 adult mentors from Bolivia and Peru in October. This program is fully sponsored by the Department of State in collaboration with World Learning.

Applicants were given the opportunity to travel to the United States and learn about leadership and community engagement. One of the most exciting things for them upon arrival was seeing the fall colors, since they don’t have that in their home countries. Looking at their amused faces while collecting different leaf shapes reminded FIUTS team how this experience can be special to these youth participants on so many different levels.

During their visit to Seattle, participants engaged in workshops in laying the foundation for understanding civic activism, multiculturalism, volunteerism, and teambuilding. Youth Ambassadors also participated in dialogue groups about stereotypes, gender, and overcoming challenges. This experience also involved having participants team up to create a community action project to be implemented back in their home communities.

Participants were matched with volunteer host families who provided an extra level of cross-cultural exchange for the students, but most importantly opened their hearts and homes to them showing hospitality, kindness and generosity. Homestay always provides our visitors with the chance to experience firsthand what living in an American household is like. FIUTS also introduced Youth Ambassadors to local students from different high schools and colleges in order to expand their knowledge about the education culture abroad and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer communication and exchange.

Here are some highlights from their trip to Seattle: