Farewell Reception for Exchange Participants

July 21, 2011

Guests listen to exchange program alumni as they share their advice and insights at the Farewell Reception.

Twenty-three Liberian professionals and students participating in U.S. exchange programs were honored at a Farewell Reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section. 

The reception was held at Public Affairs Officer Dehab Ghebreab’s residence. Guests included Department of State sponsored exchange program participants, Liberian students attending American universities, American students interning in Liberia, and educational exchange advisors, as well as Embassy community members.

Ghebreab began the program by praising the youth and professionals for their achievement and encouraging them to get to know each other before departing for the United States. Deputy Chief of Mission Karl Albrecht then spoke on the impact of exchange programs, mentioning his study abroad experience was the impetus for his career in the Foreign Service.  

Alumni from the Youth Exchange & Study Program (YES), Youth for Understanding (YFU) Liberia, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), and Humphrey Fellowship programs each shared their experiences and advice with the exchange program participants. Samuel Cole, a 2010 Humphrey Fellow, provided remarks that resonated with the crowd. He encouraged exchange participants to plan ahead to maximize the impact of their experience and to recognize that the expertise they acquire in the U.S. is needed most in Liberia. 

Philip Kollie, Acting President of the State Exchange Alumni of Liberia (SEAL), closed the program with an update on the newly formed group’s activities and a call for returning exchange participants’ participation. SEAL meets the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Embassy’s Information Resource Center.