Each year, thousands of international exchange students travel to the U.S. to experience American culture and academics. It is extremely important to connect people and cultures from around the world.
With that said, The American Legion Post 13, Henry "Gene" Burton Sr. Memorial, in Sitka, Alaska, has partnered with Rotary Club - Sitka to work with Sitka's foreign exchange student, Enzo Germano, from Brazil. Enzo has become part of our fundraising team and has joined our cook crew, Lariat Advance. He is developing skills that will make him a stronger leader and ambassador for his generation.
The learning opportunities made available to a young person when they come to the U.S. in an exchange student program are innumerable. Many students who participate in exchange programs are in high school. As teenagers, they thrive with the support of involved adults. In fact, connections to adults other than their parents are a key part of how teens form an identity and a sense of independence.
Plus, high school kids are not only forming their sense of independence, but also learning thoughts, ideas and impressions that will shape who they are as they grow up. An exchange experience can really impact their future opinions and thoughts about other cultures.
Connecting with people from different cultural backgrounds has been linked to everything from an increased quality of life to higher levels of creative thinking. Cross-cultural friendships are an important way that our society can collectively move forward as we learn from one another.
Today’s exchange students are tomorrow’s changemakers: diplomats, thought leaders, influencers in the international business and non-profit communities. Every new exchange student is another global citizen in progress—an individual primed to help build a more just and peaceful world.
Who better to assist these future leaders in this education than veterans? Veterans are masters of leadership, integrity and commitment. These are just a few of the skills that our military veterans develop during their years of service to our country.
