This June, Spirit Cultural Exchange staff members Grace Criminger, Christina Loranz and Caroline Abrahams experienced a cultural exchange in Madison when accompanying exchange participants from Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Thailand, and Mongolia on a daytrip to Wisconsin’s capitol city, Madison. Additionally, Tawsif Anam, Regional Director from Senator Ron Johnson’s office joined us as a special guest.
The daytrip began with a tour of the stunning Wisconsin State Capitol building. Participants were delighted by the beauty and grandeur of the Capitol building and enjoyed learning about its rich history. A highlight of the tour was the sixth-floor observation deck; the stunning views of Madison allowed participants the opportunity to take numerous beautiful photos.
To cap off the tour, Tawsif Anam – an immigrant from Bangladesh – shared his insights with the group. Mr. Anam spoke of his passion for social and political issues, particularly the American healthcare system. He also provided the participants with an understanding of the role of Senator Ron Johnson.
Following the tour of the capitol building, we made our way to the iconic Memorial Union building, which overlooks the stunning Lake Mendota. There, participants enjoyed lunch with a wide selection of restaurants to choose from. The rainy afternoon did not dampen spirits and participants took the opportunity to get to know one another better.
We finished the day exploring the huge campus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A tour led by UWM students gave participants the opportunity to learn about an American university and reflect on the similarities and differences with their experiences in their home countries.
This tour of Madison, Wisconsin was not only a wonderful educational opportunity for the participants but also a celebration of cultural exchange! With one participant afterwards describing the daytrip as “unforgettable” and another saying it was their “favorite experience”. Watching participants from diverse backgrounds come together, create connections and discover shared interests was an excellent reminder of how the BridgeUSA Summer Work and Travel Program fosters international cooperation and understanding.