BOONE, N.C. — To say “I met someone from there” can be a start in demystifying foreign cultures.
Greater global understanding is the aim of the Cultural Ambassadors at Appalachian State University — a group of international students and scholars who visit K-12 schools, community organizations and Appalachian classrooms to talk about their native countries and the people who live there.
The Cultural Ambassadors program is one of many activities sponsored by Appalachian’s Office of International Education and Development designed to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences.
This academic year has seen the highest numbers ever in the program’s history: 21 students and scholars wanting to be Cultural Ambassadors, with more than 30 requests already this semester for them to speak.
The current ambassadors represent 13 countries in South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia. They can “humanize world events and allow local community members to hear different perspectives,” said Lindsay Pepper, assistant director of international student and scholar services and outreach at Appalachian.

(Spring 2018)

(Spring 2018)
“They talk about their families and where they grew up. They share photos and talk about their personal experiences,” Pepper said.
“We hear anecdotal stories of people’s feelings or attitudes about a country changing as a result of hearing the Cultural Ambassadors speak. If people learn to care about a particular person, they can care about that country, too.”
About the Office of International Education and Development
The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this story.