Embassy Hosts Alumni Day

alumni_day_workshop2016On August,  27th , U.S. Embassy Algiers hosted an Alumni Day which gathered around 120 alumni from past U.S. Government exchange programs. The event brought together our diverse alumni, highlighted opportunities for them to remain involved with the Embassy, and built and strengthened our existing alumni network.  Ambassador Joan Polaschik opened the event with a welcoming speech followed by a presentation about alumni at the State Department given by Embassy staff.  Four distinguished alumni shared their experiences in the United States and how this opportunity impacted their lives and careers.  Participants then attended professional development workshops presented by Embassy staff and successful alumni on effective grant writing, social media branding, and public speaking.  At lunch, the Embassy was honored to have one of Algeria’s oldest alumni, Ambassador Nourredine Djoudi, deliver a moving speech about how his studies to Bowdoin College in 1954 as a Fulbrighter during the Algerian war of independence influenced his view of the United States as an Algerian independence movement leader and diplomat. Ambassador Polaschik delivered certificates to the 2016 Alumni Grant Award Winners.  The Alumni Day ended with an Exchange Programs Fair, where over 200 visitors were able to ask questions and meet with alumni who had been on the many programs the Embassy offers.