Anna Berry, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council, was invited on an Intercultural Exchange trip to Turkey this summer on behalf of the Turkish Cultural Center of New Hampshire. The delegation also included academic leaders from Vermont and Maine. During the one-week tour, the group visited Istanbul, Izmir, Neveshir, Kayseri and Konya. In addition to seeing cultural sites, the group also met with local academic institutions and non-profits and enjoyed dinner in local homes (above).

"It was exciting to experience life in a country that has been at the crossroads of civilization for centuries," Anna Berry said. "I'm grateful to the Turkish Cultural Center for the incredible opportunity!"

See more photos of the trip below:

The group toured Mevlana University in Konya and learned about higher education in Turkey.

The group at a viewpoint overlooking Istanbul and the Bosphorus.

The group visits Ephesus.

The group enjoying traditional Turkish kebabs.

Find out what Google leader Ross LaJeunesse had to say about freedom and power in the digital age by watching video of the 4th annual Global Business Summit online.

http://avstream.snhu.edu:8134/videoplayer.html?source=rtmp:/publicvids/WorldAffairsForum9-14

Global Ties US is excited to announce a new program for international students studying in America. International students face countless competing desires to make the most of their experience in the United States, both personally and professionally. While international students want to travel and connect with American families at a more personal level, they are also concerned about securing an internship or job in their chosen fields of study.

Meet America offers both! It combines meaningful cultural experiences with substantial career preparation for the U.S. job market. APPLY HERE!

Richard Cary, a retired architect who is living in Boston, recently traveled to Iran as part of the World Affairs Councils of America “Travel the World” program. Cary, currently a member of the World Affairs Council of NH, worked and lived abroad on four continents and has learned 3 languages. Living and traveling abroad has been an important part of both his and his late wife’s life for nearly 60 years.

Cary’s life as an architect peaked his interest in how people design and construct their living environment, historically and contemporary. The most interesting things he found while he was in Iran was the Persepolis, which is the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. He also found the citadel, and the traditional garden of Bagh-e Tarikhi very interesting.

Cary describes the openness and friendliness of the people as being surprising to him, and he believes that the present regime cannot suppress these people for long. He felt that the trip lacked a social and daily aspect of how the urban dwellers of Iran live. He wished he was able to see the daily life and experience school, home, worship, shopping, and community activity to see the way everyone on that side of the world is living in comparison to our everyday lives.

Cary has read extensively about Islam, and lived in the Arab part of the world, The many talks on the Persians and subsequent reading have certainly enriched his understanding and he is grateful for the experience to have been able to travel with the World Affairs Council on this trip to Iran.

His trip to Iran with the World Affairs Council was what he thought would be interesting as a member of the World Affairs Council of NH, but also to just be with the group of other members who would be going on the trip, of whom he thought would be interesting unto themselves. He wanted to “explore and ageless culture in a format I hoped I could tolerate. It worked. Consider this a bucket-list adventure.” 

ABOVE: One of the many travel groups that visited Iran, thanks to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. Your local Council partners with Philadelphia to bring these unique travel opportunities to YOU- check out all the trips offered here.

At the Council's annual meeting in June, members elected four new trustees for three-year terms. Welcome! Read more about our new Board Members below.

   Charles Davis Farmer, East Kingston

Davis Farmer is Founder and Chairman of MSM Protein Technologies based in Woburn, MA and Russia. MSM is the pre-eminent company for the discovery of antibodies to complex cell membrane proteins. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont. Davis is past Chair of Squamscott Community Commons and founding member of the board of the New Hampshire BioMedical Council. He also serves as NH Commercial Consul to Australia and New Zealand.

   Thomas Hildreth, Hollis

Tom is Director and Chair of Immigration & Law Practice Group at McLane Law Firm. He has been counseling a diverse mix of closely-held business clients for nearly 20 years. In addition, Tom has substantial experience in  real estate development, telecommunications, and franchise law. He has served as President of the Nashua Association for the Elderly; Trustee of the Beaver Brook Association; Member of the Board of Advisors at First Colebrook Bank; Founding Member of the Hollis-Brookline Rotary Club; and Selectman, Treasurer and Member of the Strategic Planning and Budget committees for the Town of Hollis.

   Geoff Moody, Dunbarton

Geoff Moody is the Associate Vice President of International Programs at SNHU.  Geoff's work revolves around international education and he has extensive experience living and working abroad.  He spent over a decade in Europe, living for eight years in northern Italy with shorter stints in Barcelona, Paris, and Greece.  Prior to his position at SNHU, Geoff was the Director of International Recruitment at Green River College in Washington State and Director of the International Center at Hawaii Pacific University.  Geoff holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from New Mexico State University and an MBA from the University of Washington.

   Virginia Szymanowski, Bedford

Ginny Szymanowski graduated magna cum laude from Boston University in 1974, earned an MBA with distinction from Babson College in 1980 and an MS in taxation from Bentley College in 1991.  Ginny is a certified public accountant and member of the American Institute of CPAs. After beginning her career with the audit staff at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, & Co in Boston, she later entered the non-profit sector, serving as Director of Finance at the NH Historical Society and Families First of the Greater Seacoast Health Center; and Chief of Staff at US FIRST.  Ginny, along with her husband Joe, has hosted many groups of foreign visitors through WACNH.  Ginny and Joe are also supporters of the Currier Museum of Art, the NH Historical Society, US FIRST, Manchester Historic Association, the NH Institute of Art, the Manchester Community Music School and Canterbury Shaker Village.

Attend the World Affairs Councils of America National Conference in D.C.!
Highlights include keynote speaker Governor Tim Pawlenty & embassy receptions with Singapore, Mexico & Norway

Wednesday, November 5- Friday, November 7

Held annually for over two decades, the World Affairs Councils of America's National Conference engages our regional leaders and members from across the country with leading policy-makers and experts. The World Affairs Council of NH is a member of WACA, the largest non-profit organization in the U.S. dedicated to educating and engaging Americans on global issues.

Local college students are eligible for a scholarship to attend the conference (contact our office to apply) and registration for members of the World Affairs Council of NH is $455.

MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION