The Windows on America program

Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr., and his wife Sue Timken initiated the Windows on America program in Germany in 2006 for high school students from immigrant and German families who are significantly underrepresented in traditional exchange programs between Germany and the United States. They did so with the intention of giving these students the educational opportunity afforded by “overseas experience.” The ten-day visitors program in the United States for groups of ten youth and two accompanying teachers is intended to motivate the students to pursue further education and to encourage them to learn English. The Windows on America program includes guided visits, round table discussions, school visits, and host family stays with American families. The content and specific locations included in each project are tailored to the needs of the participants. The program is implemented in the United States by the well-known Washington D.C.-based exchange organization World Learning and its German partner, Experiment e.V.

The staff of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates approaches schools (of all types), mosques, and youth centers nationwide to introduce them to the Windows on America program. Students applying for the program must write an essay in English on the theme “My Window on America”. The participants are selected by U.S. Mission staff, in collaboration with teachers and staff. After the trip, the participants are asked to share their impressions and experiences in a short written report. All participants qualify for alumni status, as past participants in a U.S. State Department-sponsored program. As alumni, the students are encouraged to share their experiences with other students, and to take advantage of the alumni contact and support network. Ideally, the program should not only open a window on America for the participants, it should also present them with brighter perspectives for their futures. To this end, the Windows on America Association offers concrete support in cooperation with the American Embassy and the program’s sponsors, such as continuing educational opportunities, English language tutoring, and opportunities for internship positions.