September 4 Program

Morgan McHugh, MHS senior, and Zechariah Kitzhaber, CCHS senior, shared their World Affairs Seminar experience.

The World Affairs Seminar (WAS) is a unique interactive educational program for high school students. The week-long experience provides an opportunity for international students from a variety of backgrounds to discuss issues in a non-threatening environment. They experience new and different ideas and viewpoints brought forward both by their colleagues and by world renowned experts. In small and large groups students discuss information and ideas and put their new knowledge to use. Through public policy simulations they work through the complex interactions of different countries, corporations and organizations to develop their own policy initiative. Throughout the week students have time for recreational activities which bring greater awareness and understanding of the world around them. Critical thinking, negotiation skills and the process of learning about new friends from around the world are all part of this incredible experience.

Both students thanked Rotary for the opportunity to attend WAS. Megan stated, “World Affairs Seminar changed my life!” Zechariah “felt empowered,” and learned “how we as youth can have an impact on the world.”