Jessica Osei-Adjei, a student from Baltimore, had an eye-opening experience during her week-long trip to Anchorage, Alaska through the American Exchange Project (AEP). This program, founded in 2019, aims to bring together high school seniors from different sociopolitical backgrounds to bridge the divides in the US.
The AEP has organized nearly 1,000 student exchange trips over the past six years, allowing students to visit various towns across 40 states in the US. Funded by organizations like the MacArthur Foundation and Steven Spielberg’s Hearthland Foundation, students get to stay with host families for a week, free of charge, before reciprocating the hosting in their own communities.
David McCullough III, the co-founder and CEO of AEP, believes that engaging emerging adults in such exchange programs can have a significant impact in breaking down political divides. Many students, like Olmert Hirwa from Maine, have gained new perspectives on issues like gun ownership and racial acceptance through these exchanges.
Despite the challenges posed by a polarized society and the rise of divisive rhetoric, the AEP continues to grow, with plans to recruit more students for upcoming exchanges. McCullough acknowledges the difficulties in securing funding and finding host families but remains optimistic about the program’s potential impact.
For Osei-Adjei, the exchange to Alaska was not just about exploring a new place, but also about dispelling misconceptions about her hometown, Baltimore. She believes that hosting students in Baltimore has allowed them to see the city in a new light, appreciating its waterfront and diverse activities.
As the AEP looks towards expanding its reach and impact, many students like Osei-Adjei eagerly await their next exchange experience, eager to learn, grow, and build connections across geographical and cultural divides.
