This was originally published on the WA State Senate Democrats blog.

 

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Sen. Eric Oemig held an international summit Monday without leaving Olympia.

 

The Democratic lawmaker from Kirkland met with 13 students from the American Field Service High School Student Exchange Program for the third consecutive year. Sen. Oemig spoke with the students for about 20 minutes with a focus toward K-12 education and the need for continued funding for public education.

 

“The Senator’s energy and willingness to take the time to meet with the students during such a busy session was apparent and the students just really enjoyed meeting him,” said Kathy Rees, a volunteer for AFS from Woodinville.

 

The students, ages 16-18, hail from countries such as India, Indonesia, China, Saudi Arabia, Ghana , Ukraine, Sweden, Norway and Italy. Six students were members of the FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) and YES (Youth Exchange and Study Program) programs and are in the US on scholarships from the US State Department. These students are visiting from former Soviet bloc and predominantly Muslim countries.

 

One of the requirements for YES and FLEX students is to become more aware of our state government, and an annual trip to Olympia helps them meet those.

 

The Greater Puget Sound Area AFS team is hosting 56 international students this year that attend high schools throughout the region. The students who attended Monday’s meeting in Olympia attend Mercer Island, Mt. Si, Eastside Catholic, Eastlake and other east side high schools. Students from Bainbridge Island and the Tacoma-area also were in the group.

 

Copyright 2008 Washington Senate Democratic Caucus