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Young Southeast Asian leaders studying U.S. culture, education in Omaha this month

A student group from Southeast Asia is spending this month in Omaha, learning about U.S. culture, education, and government.

It’s part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, created by President Obama in 2013 to promote leadership development and networking. The 21 students, ages 20 to 30, were chosen by their country’s governments and the U.S. Embassies in those nations.

Patrick McNamara, director of International Studies at UNO, says the students are taking part in classroom and community activities.

“I have been so impressed with their intelligence, their engagement, they are so eager to learn and to experience everything we have to offer, not only at UNO, but here in America. And if this is a testimony for what the next generation of leaders in Southeast Asia has to hold, we are in great, great shape.”

McNamara says the students visited his International Studies class last week, sharing their experiences and more about their home countries. UNO also has five student mentors working with the group.

Last week, the students visited Scottsbluff and Gering. This week, they’ll meet with Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale. Next month, the group will go to Portland, Oregon, and then on to Washington, D.C.