WFU hosts program for eastern European students

Fifty high school students from Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia are exploring American culture and politics. Eleven community leaders and teachers representing the seven countries are also participating.

Supported by the Open Debate Society and the U.S. State Department, SEEYLI is designed to bring together students from Southeastern Europe to explore civic issues in a month of workshops and field trips. Administrators for the Wake Forest program are Pia Wood, director of international studies, and Allan Louden, professor of communication and director of debate at Wake Forest. Wake Forest faculty are among those teaching sessions on such topics as Campaign and Media: The Anatomy of Elections; Rights and Participation in American Politics; and Conflict and Consensus in the American System.

An additional 60 students are attending a SEEYLI program in Maryland hosted by Towson University.

The SEEYLI students arrived on the Wake Forest campus July 2. They have visited Old Salem, Hanes Mall and the state capitol in Raleigh. They have also attended a session of Forsyth County family court and a Warthogs baseball game. They will visit a local television station, the Second Harvest Food Bank, Reynolda House and other local organizations and businesses.

The month-long program will also include two weeks of public debate activities. These skills will help the participants to create and develop civic action organizations and to inspire others to participate more fully in the political/civic life of their countries.

On July 9, the students will begin two-week stays with local families organized by the International Campus Ministries of the Triad. Following the home stay, the group will spend three days in Washington, D.C.

Note to editors: For a detailed schedule of activities, contact the News Service.