This spring, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and the Mitchell Institute selected two exemplary, globally minded students from current Mitchell scholars to participate in an innovative diplomacy internship.
The 2012 CIEE and Mitchell Institute international fellows, Amanda Hall ’14 of Yale University and Spencer Traylor ’15 of Colby College, had the unprecedented opportunity of examining firsthand the elements that contribute to successful peace processes and public diplomacy and those factors that inhibit success in Belfast, Ireland and Amman, Jordan. While abroad, Hall and Traylor met with local experts and government officials, explored communities and cultures, and engaged with faculty participants of a special CIEE international faculty development seminars. Read about Hall and Traylor’s experience abroad, at http://mitchell-fellowship.ciee.org/.
To celebrate the fellows’ accomplishments and honor the lifetime achievements of former Senator George Mitchell—a prominent advocate of public service and the peace process in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, and founder of the Mitchell Institute—CIEE hosted a reception at their world headquarters in Portland, Maine, on Aug. 9, 2012.
At the event, the fellows presented findings from their explorations of the complex realities of peace and conflict in Northern Ireland and the Middle East. During his keynote speech, Senator Mitchell spoke about the importance of the collaboration between CIEE and the Mitchell Institute, the future of education in this country and Maine students’ place in the international community. He said that life-changing international cultural experiences that compliment formal education are the key to a more peaceful and prosperous future.