Embassy Events

American Students Learn about Diversity and Cross-Cultural Communication in Central Europe

American and Roma Teenagers.

With State Department support, the organizations Orbis Institute Slovakia and Critical Mass Leadership Education have brought 18 American high school students to Central Europe in order to explore the ideas of leadership and civic engagement. The students have been travelling throughout Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland for several weeks, staying in host families, attending classes, and visiting important cultural sites. In addition to learning about the unique history and culture of Central Europe, the students have participated in activities with teenagers from Roma communities in the region. On July 8, the group of 18 Americans and 8 Roma students visited Bratislava’s Devín Castle, where together they learned about cross-cultural communication. On July 13, the American students will attend a final banquet, where they will present to each other and to Embassy attendees what they have learned throughout their travels. Following the return of the American students to the United States, eight Roma students from Slovakia, three Roma students from the Czech Republic and seven Roma students from Hungary will be brought to Denver, Colorado and Washington, DC to learn about American culture and to acquire leadership skills. All students will then participate in follow-on activities in their home communities, growing as leaders while maintaining relationships with their peers on the other side of the world.