Recipients of Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program visited Thai Embassy

 

6 American high school students, recipients of the 2016-2017 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program, visited the Royal Thai Embassy on 24 June 2016 as part of their pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. before departing for Thailand in July.

This year’s American “Youth Ambassadors” from different parts of the United States will be attending Thai schools in Northern, North Eastern and Central provinces of Thailand. They are; Jaxon Andres of Michigan attending a school in Sukhothai, Annabelle Davis of New Jersey attending a school in Khon Kaen, Sadie Emch of North Carolina attending a school in Chiang Mai, Madeleine Baldauf of North Carolina attending a school in Nonthaburi, Brynn Talamhan of North Carolina attending a school in Kamphaeng Phet, and Emily Mock of Washington State attending a school in Nan. Joining the students for the visit at the Embassy were Allen Evans, Program Manager of AFS YES Abroad and Ali Pryor, Students’ Counselor.

 

Mr. Kitinai Nutakul, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy, welcomed the students and told them about the history and cultural heritage of each province, where they will stay with host families and attend local schools. The students actively engaged in a Q&A session with embassy representatives. They said they looked forward to their study and living in Thailand to get to know new friends and families there.

 

 

YES Abroad program, started 2009 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, sends American high school students to countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey, the Philippines, Malaysia, Ghana, and India. The students spend one year living with a local family and going to local schools. They engage with the community and learn the local language. By the end of the year, the students have immersed themselves into their communities.

Kay Kramer