Bringing the World Home: Life after Study Abroad

Bringing the World Home: Life after Study Abroad

by Stacey Umans
De Madrid al cielo… (Middlebury’s Magazine for Students abroad in Madrid)
February 2005

On December 10-12, 2004, two hundred and ten American students spent the weekend in Berlin, Germany, to work together and share ideas in the common effort to bring home what they learn while studying abroad. The “Bringing Home the World” Conference was organized by Americans for Informed Democracy, a nonpartisan organization that works to raise global awareness at more than 175 U.S. university campuses and in more than 10 countries. The conference was one of three, two in Berlin and one to follow in Texas. The students at the December conference in Berlin were chosen from a group of 750 applicants. The majority were undergraduate students with a few high school seniors and approximately 25 graduate students. Each person had a unique previous experience and interest in international affairs and traveled from a range of countries; England, Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Czech Republic, along with many others. Not only did each person arrive from a different country, but also each one was from a different area within the United States, creating even more diverse perspectives among the young leaders. This leadership retreat is one way that Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) fulfils its mission of raising global awareness. AID also coordinates town hall meetings on America’s role in the world and publishes opinion pieces and reports on issues of global importance. Through these efforts, AID seeks to build a new generation of globally conscious leaders who can shape an American foreign policy appropriate for our increasingly interdependent world. AID is supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Open Society Institute, the Hewlett Foundation and its many participating universities.

AID’s mission is rooted in the fundamental belief that mutual understanding between nations facilitates policy cooperation by bringing attention to a common ground and collaborative opportunities. The goal is to increase global understanding and increase support for international cooperation. AID strives to achieve these goals by facilitating discussions in U.S. communities and communities abroad between Americans and non-Americans, building a network of young globally conscious leaders, and collaborating with international NGOs and governance institutions.

Some ways that AID members work towards the mission is through creating a global town hall series discussion that includes young leaders, the general public, and international leaders, organizing individual chapter events on campus to promote discussion, having a leadership retreat for young leaders, and by publishing op-eds and reports.

The retreat in Berlin on December 10-12 was an effort to build a network of young globally conscious leaders. For the group leaders, including myself, the weekend started on Thursday afternoon, preparing the small group discussions that would be held throughout the conference. We began with a hike through the foggy woods surrounding the hostel in the outskirts of Berlin. As we got to know each other, it was obvious that it would be an interesting weekend. I was absolutely amazed as I talked with each person I met, everyone with a different story and experience throughout the world coming together with a genuine interest in global consciousness.

After becoming familiar with the schedule for the weekend, we were ready for the rest of the students to arrive on Friday morning. The conference began with an opening address about Americans for Informed Democracy by Seth Green, Executive Director, and Sarah Atwood, Director of Global Activities. The history, mission, strategy and tactics of AID were explained to the group of young leaders so that it was clear what the retreat would consist of. Following the introduction, we broke into our small groups that ranged from 6 to 10 people. We introduced ourselves and got to know each other as we shared experiences and struggles of both living abroad and the return home. Following the introductions, Seth Green gave a talk and demonstration on how to write an op-ed. He explained that they are an aid in creating awareness in our hometowns and campuses. In small groups we analyzed sample opeds and brainstormed ideas to write our own in the future.

To conclude the energetic first day of the retreat, there was a sample town hall meeting about American Power and Global Security through a European perspective. Sarah Atwood monitored the meeting while Dr. Ulrike Guérot, Director of Foreign Policy, Europe, German Marshall Fund of the United States, and Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider, Director of the Research Institute of the German Society for Foreign Policy were the speakers. Dr. Guérot emphasized her talk on the need for communication between all nations and that the United States’ latest “change reality” approach through force is not constructive. She explained her European perspective and emphasized that we have to realize that situations have changed and the old way of thinking doesn’t work anymore, it is no longer democratic countries versus nondemocratic countries, and that there is a need to think fresh to cooperate internationally. Dr. Sandschneider raised the question and discussed whether the United States really is the world super power. He stated that a super power is never created with a military alone, as learned by the USSR, and that after September 11th our security comes from balancing threats. He explained that the common threat is now gone and we can’t rely on it anymore. By looking at the current situations from Germany’s side, he sees that although Americans are scared, terrorism isn’t such a threat in Europe anymore and it is the first period that Germany actually feels safe.

He feels that Bush wants to spread democracy because democracy doesn’t attack the United States but explained that this method is impossible because democracy never comes from military tactics. Both speakers answered questions taken from the young leaders regarding transatlantic relations and global security, giving the audience a different perspective due to the speakers’ strong European views. Saturday began fresh with a workshop on event organization. Seth Green explained the Red, White, and Blue Coming Together series, which is an initiative created by AID to unite America behind a common vision for its role in the world. After the elections, America was seen as a divided nation, this event series was created to aim to unite America’s many political colors in 2005 in the struggle to build a “more perfect union”. Seth gave a detailed explanation of how to plan an event on our campuses, including reserving a room, inviting speakers, publicizing, contacting the press, and hosting and following up on the actual event. He provided very detailed tools to assist in the process and generated much interest in the students to return to campus and organize an event on their own.

Following the workshop, Dr. Alan Wolfe, Director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College and George H.W. Bush Berlin Prize Fellow at the American Academy Berlin, gave a speech on the Role of Religion in the United States and European Politics. Dr. Wolfe gave a great speech as he explained the role religion has played in history, the role it plays today, and briefly discussed his personal views on the current situation of religion and politics. After, he answered interesting questions from the students. This discussion was one of the most effective throughout the retreat. Students were truly interested in both the separation and unification that religion plays within the United States and between the United States and other nations. After lunch there was a panel discussion about The Next Four Years: What the 2004 Elections Mean for the US Role in the World with Nicole Renver, a research fellow with DAAD/AICGS and Gregor Schotten, Desk Officer for Transatlantic Relations in the German Foreign Office. They discussed with the young leaders of the conference transatlantic relations with Bush as a president. The guest speakers acknowledged that there are many people unsatisfied with Bush as President but that we have to deal with it and foster transatlantic relations by discussing them and creating dialogue.

To conclude the intense day of discussions, new ideas, and brainstorming, there was a panel discussion for A Global Future: Postgraduate Opportunities in International Affairs. Seven representatives were on the panel including a Marshall Scholar, the Chairman of American Voices Abroad in Berlin, a Bosch Scholar, a Rotary Ambassador, a Fulbright Scholar, and a representative from the House of World Cultures. They discussed possible future international and academic opportunities for the young leaders and the vast range of organizations that exist that students can pursue.

The day of intense discussions left everyone exhausted and ready to enjoy a little of the famous Berlin nightlife. The large group of approximately 210 people filed onto the metro to begin the evening with a tour of the Reichstag, the German Parliament Building. After exploring the new impressive and modern building, small groups met at the Brandenburg Gate to take pictures with their new friends and then walk together in the frigid cold to the Christmas Market. There everyone got a taste of the holiday spirit and German cuisine in the festive winter atmosphere. From there various groups explored the Berlin nightlife throughout the city, enjoying the American and English speaking companionship. Sunday morning began with a brainstorming session for the future of Americans for Informed Democracy. We broke into our small groups to collaborate ideas for the progress of the organization and how we will continue to be involved. We discussed our personal plans while giving each other ideas, suggestions, and advice. We also thought of possible events we would hold on our own campuses and ideas for future subjects of meetings. Some themes that the students were interested in were US-Muslim relations, the role of the American culture in the world, Gender/Gay-Lesbian rights, and economic questions/the US deficit. Most students were very enthusiastic and ready to continue their efforts in working with AID.

The retreat concluded with a panel of various students from the conference sharing study abroad stories, both bad and good, and closing remarks. We all have had very different experiences and come from different backgrounds but share a common interest in the progression to a more globally conscious world. I believe that all the students that attended left Berlin truly intrigued and stimulated not only by the impressive guest speakers, but also from their peers. The most amazing part of the conference was the impeccable organization of the retreat and the astounding accomplishments that two young Americans have already achieved though starting Americans for Informed Democracy. I appreciate having been able to participate in the retreat and am enthused to continue to be involved with Americans for Informed Democracy and its efforts.