Joyce Clemmons, Christina Albertson, and Joni Bruce spent three weeks in Europe this summer as part of the People to People Ambassador Class of 2006. As members of the People to People Student Ambassador Class of 2006, Christina Albertson, Joni Bruce, and Joyce Clemmons, students at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School, traveled in Europe for three weeks in June and July.

As Student Ambassadors, they joined the effort to bring the world together through education and friendship while experiencing a wonderful journey of discovery.

The People to People program was founded in 1956 by United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower who believed that faceto face encounters between people of different backgrounds would form the foundation for lasting world peace. He created People to People with the idea that ordinary citizens of different nations would solve their problems and find a way to live harmoniously with one another.

The Washington-Wilkes students traveled with other United States Students to France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, visiting many outstanding landmarks, and having unusual encounters with the people they met. In Austria they stayed in family homes and got to experience new foods and new ways of living.

Christina, Joni, and Joyce gave the following account of their threeweek journey.

"From June 17 until July 6, we traveled in Europe. The countries that we visited were France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. For three weeks we had the time of our lives and we made some friends that we'll never forget. This is just a little of what we did in each country.

"In France our first stop was Paris. While there we saw the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Louvre, and Notre Dame. Next we went to Strasburg, a quaint little city that looked like it popped right out of a fairytale. Our last stop was the Palace of Versailles where we saw the beautiful gardens.

"In Switzerland we visited the lovely city of Lucerne. This place is home to the Kapellibrucke, also known as the Chapel Bridge, with paintings centuries years old on it.

We spent the night in Zurich where we were given a little bit of time to explore on our own in groups.

"The next day we continued into Austria. First we made apple strudel then went on to Vienna where we saw a classical concert. We also went to the Prater Amusement Park. We had a home stay and learned how the Austrian families really live. Our last stop before leaving Austria was Mauthausen, a concentration camp, and we got to talk to a concentration camp survivor.

"In Italy we began with Venice and rode a gondola through its watery streets. We were also shown how they make glass at a glass factory. We then went to Florence and saw Michelangelo's "David." Next we went to Pisa where we saw the leaning tower and ate pizza. Following Pisa we traveled to Rome where we saw the Coliseum, the Parthenon, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain. Our last stop before heading home was the Vatican City where we saw the Sistine Chapel and the beautiful paintings inside.

"All in all we had a marvelous trip that will never be forgotten. We realized that although many things are different, there are also many similarities and that we all have something in common."