Person to Person Connection - Hilary Clinton and Cultural Exchange

In July, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took part in a town hall interview in Bangkok, Thailand on the Thai news channel, The Nation. During the question and answer session, Clinton mentioned her support of international exchange several times. One participant asked which U.S. foreign policy Clinton believes has had the most impact on Thailand and Thai education. Clinton responded with the idea that educational exchanges are the most important:
 
“We have been working together for 176 years, and there have been a number of important initiatives over that long period of time. But I think educational exchanges and student exchanges are among the most important, and I would like to see even more of them. I’d like more American students coming to Thailand. I’d like more American faculty coming to Thailand, and I’d like more students and faculty from Thailand coming to the United States.”

“…I think there’s no substitute for person-to-person connection, because we are fighting against cultural media stereotypes. The media paints a picture of the United States which very often has not got anything to do with reality. And for a lot of people in Thailand, that’s all they will know about the United States unless we create educational and cultural exchanges and opportunities. So that’s what I’d like to see more of."

There is no substitute for person-to-person exchanges. Nothing will be able to replace the experiences felt and lived by an individual who visits the United States. For this reason, cultural exchange programs are vital for an increase in diplomacy.

As goAUPAIR places young international adults also know as Au Pairs, across the country, the common comment from families are all the same - "We love the culture experience."

A Host Mom of an Au Pair recently said, "We really like the international experience... we enjoyed being hosts to someone from another country.  Also, it is very beneficial to us to have someone that is not from the area.  Being out of their element, we feel they form more of a bond with the family and the children."

The Au Pair program is one of many cultural exchange programs that help with the United State's diplomacy. More information about other exchange programs can be found on the U.S. Department of State Web site.