Youth Ambassador Student Exchange

Testimonials

This unique program has cultivated goodwill ambassadors since its inception. The program's benefits do not end with the exchange. Our alumni continue to employ the skills they learned as Youth Ambassadors: leadership, open-mindedness, hands-on experience, tolerance and respect for diversity. They also learn about the shared interests that define the vital historic friendship between the U.S. and Israel.

"Participating in this extraordinary youth exchange program changed my life both personally and professionally. I had my first experience representing my country to American teenagers and conveying to them the 'Israeli experience.' The skills I developed then in promoting understanding of [Israel] I still use everyday in my work as a diplomat. My hosts were a charming couple from Milwaukee, WI whose daughter, Beth, remains my best friend."
Nurit Tinari-Modai,
Director of the Department for Cultural & Scientific Cooperation, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1983 Youth Ambassador Tel Aviv, Israel

"I wanted to say how thankful I am for everything you did to make the trip such an amazing and unforgettable experience. I seem to look at things differently, and feel so much more confident in myself and my beliefs. So far I've only done one presentation on Israel in school, but I have been 'booked' to do more for local clubs and one for the general public. It's so great in a small town like mine because there was a nice article about me in the local newspaper. Now maybe 95 % of Glasgow knows about my trip. Everyone is very supportive and wants to know more."
Kyla, 2005 Youth Ambassador, Glasgow, MT

"As a Palestinian American, not for one minute did I think I would be able to connect with Israelis on a personal level. I stayed with a Jewish family from Rishon Le-Zion for five nights. My family was very welcoming. They over-fed me and enjoyed my company greatly. This trip was an experience to remember and pass on for many generations to come. My Israel experience proves that Jews and Arabs can live together peacefully."
Farah, 2005 AIFL Youth Ambassador, San Francisco, CA

"Although more than 20 years ago, I continue to credit the AIFL Youth Ambassador program as the catalyst responsible for changing me from a young person of questionable direction, to that of a career military officer. I have had the confidence to lead people, and challenge myself through two masters' degrees and am coming close to finishing my PhD. Every day I can apply the lessons and experiences in Israel to help understand better the situation not only in Israel but the rest of the Middle East"
U.S. Navy Lt. Bennett Solberg, PhD, FACHE, CDFM,LCDR, MSC
1986 Youth Ambassador, Minneapolis, MN

"I wanted to say how thankful I am for everything you did to make the trip such an amazing and unforgettable experience. I seem to look at things differently, and feel so much more confident in myself and my beliefs. So far I've only done one presentation on Israel in school, but I have been 'booked' to do more for local clubs and one for the general public. It's so great in a small town like mine because there was a nice article about me in the local newspaper. Now maybe 95 % of Glasgow knows about my trip. Everyone is very supportive and wants to know more."
Jack Jessop, 2005 Youth Ambassador, Glasgow, MT, U.S. Air Force Academy