On December 2, 31 Saudi YES alumni hosted a Thanksgiving dinner with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. The event was organized by the Saudi YES Alumni Committee. Guests included Ambassador Michael Ratney, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Chief of Mission Alison Dilworth, Cultural Attaché Davida MacDonald, and Deputy Cultural Attaché Lana Surface.

Ambassador Ratney opened the evening with a speech on person-to-person exchanges, the evolving U.S.-Saudi partnership, and the importance of Vision 2030. Secretary Rice followed with remarks on the significance of exchange programs in strengthening bilateral ties and Saudi Arabia's progress. Then YES alumna Dhoha Bediwi ‘19 shared her Thanksgiving experience in Maine, expressing gratitude for the YES program and its impact on her understanding of culture and diplomacy.

Dhoha Bediwi (YES 2018-2019, Saudi Arabia, placed by AFS-USA in Farmington, ME)