Participants of 'Windows on America' program.

Film Screening for 'Windows on America' Group and Their Families
December 10, 2007. Public Affairs Officer Jim Seward from the U.S. Consulate Frankfurt and Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Ruth Ann Stevens from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin welcomed the participants of the 'Windows on America' Program and their families at Anna Schmidt Schule on December 10th for a screening of a film about their journey to the U.S. in April 2007. Film maker Gloria Zettel filmed and interviewed the 10 Muslim girls from Ditib (Turkish-Islamic Union of Religious Institutes) communities in the Rhein-Main area, and their two chaperones throughout their stay in the U.S., and made a documentary about their experiences. The girls aged 15-17 were selected through an essay contest for the program, which was initiated by Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue Timken. It gives young people of minority background –who are often underrepresented in exchange programs– the opportunity to travel to the U.S., live with host families, and gain firsthand experience of what life is like in the U.S. The Frankfurt participants brought along their families for the special screening of the film, where they were able to share their experiences with friends and family by recounting their memorable trip abroad.