We at Gulf Coast Diplomacy love to give our visitors volunteer opportunities, especially those that highlight the beauty of the natural environment. Sharon Gincauskas, co-president of Ocean Hour, is always more than willing to meet with our visitors and provide an opportunity to both explore our beaches and walkways and help keep them clean. She...
Most Community Spotlights highlight the work of adults in Pensacola, Florida. This spotlight, however, focuses on an honorary citizen with a special connection to the City of Five Flags. Abraão José da Silva first came to Northwest Florida from his hometown in Brazil on a World Learning Youth Ambassadors exchange in high school. While here,...
Dr. Mohamed Khabou of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of West Florida (UWF) is the epitome of how international exchange can start small and grow into something greater. Dr. Khabou first learned of Gulf Coast Diplomacy through his daughter, a former Youth Diplomat. As an immigrant from Tunisia, Dr. Khabou encouraged...
When international visitors come to Pensacola, Florida, not only do they explore their fields of expertise through formal meetings, but they also frequently volunteer in roles to enhance our community. From feeding the hungry to building living shorelines, they contribute in many ways. Zachary Schang with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection always welcomes our...
Jereme Johnson is a program assistant at the Escambia County 4-H Youth Development, a local branch of the 4-H organization. This non-profit develops citizenship, leadership, responsibility, and life skills in youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. He and his organization are always ready to receive international visitors and explore the...
What do Cognitive Big Data Systems, Inc. and the U.S. Department of State have in common? International exchange, of course! Though people do not often think of science and technology as a large part of learning about other cultures, it is nevertheless a hugely important part of the exchanges we do at Gulf Coast Diplomacy....
Grace McCaffery is always pleased to meet with international visitors and speak about her experience as the La Costa Latina Newspaper publisher. She looks forward to sharing ideas and stories with the visitors to foster better connections with different communities worldwide. La Coast Latina Newspaper is a free bilingual newspaper serving to bridge the Spanish...
When Gulf Coast Diplomacy has international visitors studying human trafficking, domestic abuse, or any other women’s rights project, we frequently partner with Pace Center for Girls Escambia Santa Rosa. Through advocacy and education, they have created a strong support network for struggling young women in Florida for over 26 years. In an interview with their...
Professionals need to discuss issues with professionals and youth need to explore topics with other youth. That is why when Gulf Coast Diplomacy hosts short-term youth exchanges, part of the agenda goal is to include time at an American high school so international students can experience a day as an American teen in Northwest Florida....
Dr. Megan Pratt always makes an effort to meet with international exchange participants, both professionally and also informally as a dinner host or host parent for youth exchanges. She and her family all routinely express their excitement when a new group comes to town. As the founder of the Pensacola MESS (Math, Engineering, Science, and...
