By Kathryn Hadland
Contributing Writer
Many people get the chance to travel, but few get the opportunity to go to other countries. Dr. Gleny Beach, director of Visual Arts, is one such person.
The National Art Association, of which Beach is a member, emailed her asking her to apply and be a part of the People to People Citizen Ambassador Progam.
According to the program’s website, “People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs offers professionals unique travel opportunities that foster local and global networking, career development, personal enrichment and international goodwill. Citizen Ambassadors interact with other professionals from around the world and engage in cultural activities, seminars and humanitarian efforts.”
Although there are various countries participants can visit through this program, Beach has been accepted to go on a 10 day trip (Oct. 18-Oct. 31) to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. “I’ve been to Europe before but I’ve never done anything like this in this way,” said Beach.
Beach has paid for the trip out of her own pocket using funds from the Faculty Service Award that she received just last year. However, she has applied to get some funding from Southeastern to assist her with the trip, she said.
There are eight other people from the U.S. who will be attending this experience ranging from teachers to art education professionals. These participants are from various states across the country, including Colorado, Maryland, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Kansas and Iowa.
The Ambassadors will be exhanging cultures, ideas and interests with delegates in South Africa. It is also customary for them to exchange gifts and bring something that shows our culture. Being a director and and instructor at Southeastern for 17 years, Beach has decided to take a Southeastern flag with her. For the exchanging of gifts, Beach said she wasn’t quite sure what to bring, but she thought maybe souvenirs with the SE logo on them, such as key chains and hats, would be appropriate.
For more information about the People to People Ambassador Programs can log on to www.peopletopeople.com and click on the “Our Programs” link.