This past year I have experienced one of the most exhilerating and far-fetched journey's yet---travelling to Germany for a year to promote cultural diplomacy as a Youth Ambassador. Through full academic scholarship, I was able to learn German for the first time and study in the Abitur class at a bilingual gymnnasium in Wese and Duisburg, Germany. Luckily, I was featured in two regional newspapers and have met a few German mayors. Above is a photograph of me with John B. Emerson, the official American Ambassador to Germany, at the 30th anniversary celebration of the German-American partnership in Berlin. There, I met with Foreign Service Officers and other student scholars at the American Embassy. Through special invitation, I was also able to attend an official Bundestag (German parliament) meeting at the Reichstag with the special appearance of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel! The ambassadorship has surely been an adventure of a lifetime!

 

      Another oppurtunity came when I was commissioned to paint an original artwork for Germany's chancellor and the Bundestag, which is currently being held at the Bundestag building (Reichstag) in Berlin. The artwork vividly depicts a brigde and large hovering clouds, followed by a faint American and German flag in the background (photo to right). The painting represents the partnership and cooperation between both countries. PI's (Partnership International) logo is painted in next to my signature at the bottom. If you happen to visit the Reichstag in Berlin, please take a look at the painting!
 
       I am very blessed to have been selected as a CBYX Scholar. As a Youth Ambassador I was able to learn about a foreign society by engaging in daily German life, learning a brand new language, and finally, using my artistic talents to create a meaningful work. I only wish to inspire and encourage other young, committed students with similar aspirations to make a difference as well in their community!