Being away from home during the holidays can prove to be rather difficult for anyone, especially for high school exchange students spending a year away from their families such as is was for the YES Abroad participants.  However, thanks to the kindness, care and support of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo staff member Ms. Emily Armitage, the YES Abroad students in Bosnia and Herzegovina were fortunate enough to get a taste of home during this Thanksgiving holiday.

Since their arrivalin August, YES Abroad students have received an enormous amount of support and assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo staff especially from the Public Affairs Office. One such instance of a very thoughtful and kind gesture exemplified by the Embassy staff occurred on Saturday, November 24th when the YES Abroad students in Bosnia and Herzegovina along with the American Councils staff in Sarajevo, attended a private Thanksgiving dinner at Emily Armitage’s home. Ms. Armitage is the Deputy Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo and was appointed to her role in August of 2012. Dinner was also attended by an English Language Fellow Ms. Debbie Cain and Mr. Seth Bergeson, an American Fulbright Student, both spending a year in Bosnia.

YES Abroad students Anna Wright, Emma Goldrick, Helena Ratte and Katie Wells as well as the American Councils office in Sarajevo staff were honored and grateful to be hosted by Ms. Armitage for Thanksgiving, and wish her and the rest of the Embassy staff in Sarajevo a safe and a happy holiday season.