The annual Pre-departure Orientation (PDO) is a memorable event for all FLEX finalists. During the three-day event, FLEX finalists participate in interactive lectures and trainings on program goals and organization, U.S. values and lifestyle, and tips on how to live responsibly and within their means while on program. The orientation culminates with the alumni panel and one of the cherished traditions of the FLEX program, the American Dream skit.

On July 12, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Tracey Ann Jacobson and Public Affairs Officer Jon Larsen experienced the excitement of the PDO first-hand. Twenty recently returned FLEX alumni shared personal experiences about living with a host family, studying in a U.S. high school, taking part in community service activities, and coping with a new culture and different lifestyle during the alumni panel. They also discussed how they managed to overcome issues such as religious and racial differences, gender roles, and homesickness; matters that teenagers do not often have to face. The finalists asked alumni many questions and shared their concerns about leaving home and studying in the U.S. Alumni encouraged students to be active, honest, and step up to the challenge of making friends and learning about a new culture.

With ideas flying through their minds and dreams drifting through their thoughts, the FLEX finalists, Ambassador, and Public Affairs Officer took their seats for the main event of the evening, the American Dream skit. Vasya, a FLEX finalist, drifts off to sleep on his flight to the U.S. He dreams of the ideal host family, the perfect house with a white picket fence, and friends gathering around a bonfire at his new family’s private beach with the California sun smiling down on them. Roughly awaken, he pushes his way off the plane to find that not only was his luggage lost, but also that everything is not the way he imagined it! His host family does not have a driver. He will have to wash his own clothes and there are no beaches in Minnesota!

True to experience, a majority of FLEX finalists are somewhat shocked during their first days in the U.S. Veteran alumni stressed the point that keeping an open mind and accepting that things are not better, not worse, but different, will help to make their time as a student and ambassador a success.

Following the alumni panel and skit, Ambassador Jacobson congratulated the finalists and wished them a rewarding year. All in attendance relaxed by the grill, played games, and talked about their hopes as finalists and experiences as alumni. The evening ended with a group photograph and hopes of having as much fun at the 2008 FLEX re-entry seminar.