Inspirational Story of Academic Experience in Greece Wins NAFSA Video Contest

Marymount Manhattan College Student Awarded 2012 Student Diplomat Title

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marymount Manhattan College student Ashley Feith won the 2012 Student Diplomat Video Contest sponsored by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and STA Travel, a NAFSA Global Partner. The second place winner is Alisha Forbes, who recently returned from Doane College's Semester in Africa program.

Feith won the title of 2012 Student Diplomat and a $1,000 travel voucher courtesy of STA Travel, for telling her story of learning and personal growth studying abroad in Greece. Feith is one of thousands of American students who return each year from studying abroad with new cross-cultural and foreign language skills they will use in their future careers. Collectively, these study abroad experiences not only improve U.S. economic competitiveness, but also develop global awareness and an ability to work with other nations.

"The relationships we make as student diplomats create the bonds that are needed among world citizens," Feith said. "Understanding the world is no longer just possible, it's paramount."

Feith took Greek language classes, studied Balkan conflicts, and interacted with international students at the American College of Thessaloniki. Her time in Greece inspired her to delve into the field of conflict resolution and pursue an international career. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in the spring, she plans to explore more of Eastern Europe and is applying for an internship program in the Balkan region.  

The contest's second place winner is Alisha Forbes, a student at Doane College in Nebraska who studied in Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa. The hands-on experiences she had in African communities are vital to global understanding and diplomacy, Forbes said. She believes that if more people - including students and politicians - had similar experiences, the impact would be transformative. "We could change the world," Forbes said.

About the Contest

The 2012 Student Diplomat Video Contest challenged students to tell a compelling story about how they became "student diplomats" by connecting in meaningful ways with people and cultures in other countries and by gaining global skills that will help them with future academic studies and professional careers. After an expert judging panel narrowed down the entries to five finalists in November, the public voted online. More than 2,000 votes were cast and were combined with the votes from the panel of judges to determine the 2012 Student Diplomat.

In addition to being named the 2012 Student Diplomat, Ashley Feith will be awarded a $1,000 travel voucher courtesy of STA Travel, a youth travel agency with 400 offices worldwide. As the second place winner, Alisha Forbes will receive a high-definition camcorder from NAFSA. Other finalists were: Angela Santilli of California State University, Chico, who studied in Ghana; Samantha Costas of Sewanee: The University of the South, who studied in Cuba; and Glenn Bolich of Kent State University who studied in Italy.

To read more about the contest and to watch the finalists' videos, visit www.connectingourworld.org/studentdiplomat.

Connecting Our World, powered by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, is a global community of individuals taking action to support public policies that strengthen and expand international education. STA Travel, a NAFSA Global Partner, is a youth travel expert enabling students and young adults to explore the world by creating experiences filled with adventure, discovery, and personal growth. For more information or to find a STA Travel Store near you, visit statravel.com.

Follow us on Twitter @ConnectOurWorld

SOURCE NAFSA: Association of International Educators

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