Switzerland delegate Markus Herrmann listens while 12th grade students speak with him during a special event set up for their AP Comparative Government class at Glacier Peak High School on Thursday, in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Switzerland delegate Markus Herrmann listens while 12th grade students speak with him during a special event set up for their AP Comparative Government class at Glacier Peak High School on Thursday, in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

European delegates talk American culture with Glacier Peak students

Representatives from 18 different EU countries made a stop in Snohomish during their US tour.

SNOHOMISH — Slovakia. Slovenia. Spain. All in Snohomish.

Delegates from 18 different European countries traveled to Glacier Peak High School on Thursday to chat with the Advanced Placement Comparative Government classes about international social, political and economic issues.

The delegates, ages 25 to 35, work in a variety of roles, such as National Assembly member of parliament, senior adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, digital journalist, International Studies assistant professor, vice mayor, director and CEO. They are participants in the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program and are currently working on a project titled “Current U.S. Social, Political, and Economic Issues for Young European Leaders.”

Their pressed suits stood out a bit among the high school library’s superhero-themed book displays and cardboard cutouts of Captain America — until, that is, they all huddled together at desks in small groups to discuss big ideas, abuzz with lilting accents and foreign languages.

“It almost made me cry,” said Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers, the director and CEO of National Youth Fund in the Netherlands. “To see all these kids so engaged, so motivated to make the world a better place.”

Ensberg-Kleijkers’ group discussed the students’ passions, such as volunteering to help with the homeless crisis in Seattle. The Dutch CEO is originally from Suriname, a country in South America, and he and some of the first-generation American students discussed their desires to use what they’ve learned in the United States to give back to their mother countries.

High school seniors had one-on-one time to ask officials like Adrian Stano, a director in the Slovakian prime minster’s administration, about the biggest issues facing their countries today.

“Energy is our biggest issue,” Stano said, explaining how the war in Ukraine has affected Europe’s energy costs. High construction prices and inflation, he explained, are ripple effects of the energy crisis.

In turn, he asked the students about what high school in the United States is like, and they indulged him on the daily expectations. All around the room, the exchange of ideas and experiences continued.

The president of the city board in Belgrade, Serbia, spoke. A Helsinki City Council member answered questions. A member of parliament in the Bulgarian National Assembly listened.

Klemen Balanč, a Bloomberg journalist from Slovenia, asked students about their favorite and least favorite aspects of American culture. A trio of senior boys discussed “The American Dream” and its feasibility. They puzzled over racism and how it shows up systemically in academic institutions. Balanč regaled them with tales of Slovenia, recommending they all visit Lake Bled at some point in their lives.

When AP teacher Ryan Hauck announced the end of discussion had neared, the senior adviser for Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adriana Viz Fernandez, vehemently requested more time to talk with students. She said Thursday’s conversation was her favorite part of their American trip thus far.

On Jan. 21, the delegates arrived in Washington D.C. and were briefed at the Pentagon. Then they split up for projects in Cleveland and Cincinnati respectively before reconvening in Seattle. Their next stop is San Antonio to discuss immigration before leaving from Boston on Feb. 11.

They aim to “examine interrelated U.S. foreign and domestic policy topics,” including homeland security, economic development, immigration, health services, environmental sustainability and energy. They also hope to “explore the role of diversity, the individual and religion in the United States.”

It’s rare, Hauck said, to have such a plethora of different countries and experiences to learn from in one room. He said the unique chance offered a “cross-cultural” discussion with young professionals from around the world.

Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449; kayla.dunn@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett
Police search for suspect in attempted kidnapping

A female said a man attacked her and attempted to pull her into his vehicle. She fought him off and was able to escape, police said.

Bothell
Mexican citizen, living in Bothell, indicted on child pornography charges

The suspect in the case was previously registered as a sex offender, police say. His registration was terminated in 2017 when he was turned over to federal authorities for deportation.

Provided photo 
Tug Buse sits in a period-correct small ship’s boat much like what could have been used by the Guatamozin in 1803 for an excursion up the Stillaguamish River.
Local historian tries to track down historic pistol

Tug Buse’s main theory traces back to a Puget Sound expedition that predated Lewis and Clark.

Archbishop Murphy High School on Friday, Feb. 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Former teacher charged with possession of child pornography

Using an online investigation tool, detectives uncovered five clips depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

A person waits in line at a pharmacy next to a sign advertising free flu shots with most insurance on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Have you had the flu yet, Snohomish County? You’re not alone.

The rate of flu-related hospitalizations is the highest it’s been in six years, county data shows, and there are no signs it will slow down soon.

City of Everett Principal Engineer Zach Brown talks about where some of the piping will connect to the Port Gardner Storage Facility, an 8-million-gallon waste water storage facility, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port Gardner Storage Facility will allow Everett to meet state outflow requirements

The facility will temporarily store combined sewer and wastewater during storm events, protecting the bay from untreated releases.

Founder of Snohomish County Indivisible Naomi Dietrich speaks to those gather for the senator office rally on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Membership numbers are booming for Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter

Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter, a progressive action group, has seen… Continue reading

Lands commissioner plans to keep working with feds

Dave Upthegrove expects to continue to work with U.S. Forest Service, after Trump’s latest executive orders aimed at boosting logging.

Melody Schneider holds a sign protesting pay cuts to teachers as an Edmonds School District bus passes by during Edmonds College faculty union rally as part of a national day of action outside of the Lynnwood Event Center on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County educators rally against state and federal cuts

Gov. Bob Ferguson proposed state employees take one furlough day a month for two years to address the budget shortfall.

Two suspects sought in attack, robbery of Marysville bus driver

Anybody with information on the case is encouraged to notify the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Everett
Judge sets bail at $2M for second suspect in Everett fatal shooting

Martin Mirey Alvarez, 18, was booked into Snohomish County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Rick Steves speaks at an event for his new book, On the Hippie Trail, on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Third Place Books in Lake Forest, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Travel guru won’t slow down

Rick Steves is back to globetrotting and promoting a new book after his cancer fight.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.