"Redouble" Foreign Exchange Efforts

In a meeting Monday with staff from the United States Embassy in Berlin, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed her gratitude for the great strides that have been taken in regards to “robust diplomacy and public outreach, engaging not only with representatives of the German Government, but civil society, business leaders, teachers, students, ordinary Germans.” Clinton went on to specifically talk about cultural exchange programs and her desire to double the number of current exchanges with Germany.

Clinton said, "Yesterday at the dinner that the Atlantic Council sponsored, two of the leading German speakers – one from the past, one the foreign minister, very much from the present and the future – talked about what it meant to them to have participated in the International Visitors Program in the United States. I would like to see us redouble our efforts, particularly reaching out to young Germans, and particularly those from the east, to build a strong foundation of understanding and respect."

Over the last year, goAUPAIR has seen a significant increase in the number of Au Pairs from Germany. The increase in Au Pairs from Germany comes as a welcome surprise for many host families who desire an Au Pair from Europe. "In the past, Au Pairs from Germany have been harder to come by, but during the last year we have had an influx of great Au Pair candidates from there," said Tanna Wilson, Managing Director for goAUPAIR.

View the full text of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Speech