On September 17, 15 alumni from the 2023-2024 cohort of Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program participants met with U.S. Ambassador to Jordan Yael Lempert. In addition to the Ambassador, Anthony Miranda, Counselor for Public Diplomacy, Rachel Leslie, Deputy Counselor for Public Diplomacy, Jed Dornburg, Director for Public Engagement, Rawan Mloukhieh, Public Engagement Specialist, and Diala Jarrar, Alumni Coordinator, attended from the U.S. Embassy. The alumni shared the transformative experiences they had during their YES exchange year and offered their perspectives on opportunities for young people in Jordan. They discussed how they countered American stereotypes about Jordan and the Middle East and shared Jordanian culture with their American peers through relatable topics like lifestyle and pop culture. Many of the alumni spoke about how they learned English through video games, movies, and music, highlighting the important role of these cultural tools in bridging understanding between nations. The conversation also touched on differences between the U.S. and Jordanian public education systems, leading to a brainstorming session on how to improve education in Jordan, better train teachers, and promote English language programs like the English Access Microscholarship Program. The group agreed that the YES program is vital to fostering people-to-people connections and strengthening the relationship between the United States and Jordan.