Invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, fifteen International Visitors from North Africa and the Near East, and their four Arabic-Language Interpreters prepared to examine the importance of Curriculum Development and Civic Education in the U.S.

During their stay, they met with Martha Ball, Director of Utah 3Rs Project (Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect); Michael Hardman, Dean of the College of Education at the University of Utah; Paula Smith, Executive Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring; Kari Ellingson, Interim Director of the Bennion Community Service Center; Robert Austin, Social Studies Curriculum Development Specialist at the Utah State Office of Education; and Christine Kearl, Education Director for the Governor. They also met with Clayton Middle School Principal, Rosemary Baron, and had the unique opportunity to listen to the school's band and choir, visit the facilities, and interact one-on-one with 8^th grade students.

Their cultural activities included an informative visit of Temple Square and the Conference Center, and a lunch generously provided by Elder and Sister Ben and Susan Banks, and LDS Church Hosts, Keith and Irene Longson.

I had the privilege to interview four of our Visitors. I asked them: "What have you learned here (good or bad) and what will you take back home?" Here are their answers.

Mr. Al-Sheebani, QATAR

Mr. Al Ashoor, Mosul - IRAQ

"I learned much about democracy, federalism, and how the American system works. When I came here, I touched democracy and I see it real here in the United States. It's a vast country, people are educated, there are very good schools, and very good systems. What I'm trying to do, the materials which I collect, I will translate them into Arabic. I will contact the City Council (Mosul, Iraq) and members who are responsible for education and press them to teach principles of civic education in primary and secondary schools. I also had the chance to visit the Iraqi Embassy when I was in Washington D.C. I explained that instead of using weapons, bombs, or tanks against Al Qaeda, we can spread democracy."

I asked him whether civic education meant, for him, spreading democracy. He answered, "Yes."

"America is a country of law. There's a system, an organization, a democracy, accountability, responsibility. Before I came here, I didn't think America was a religious country. I've discovered that America is very religious and very committed to religion. There's freedom, individualism and these principles are offered to people. There is such a level of freedom, it's great, very positive. People have high morals and treat people in a very nice way. For example, when we went to the mall, we got lost, at 10:30 at night. A woman stopped in front of us and asked whether we were lost. She offered her assistance. She took an interest in us. We all thanked her. We said among us, "Look at American society, what a wonderful thing!" In our society, that stuff doesn't happen. In terms of education, I learned both theoretical and practical aspects of civic education. I learned how to serve my local society, focus on our problems, and how to go about in the future. Seeing the values of the curriculum will benefit me when I got back to my country."

Mr. Abdel Karim, EGYPT

"This is the first time I come to America. I'm getting to know citizens in the U.S. Most people in the Middle East wish to get to know Americans. Because we hear that things, such as education, are so advanced in the U.S., we also want to live the American Dream. I really benefited from my visit in Utah. Utah is the state so far that pleases me the most, that I enjoyed the most, because people are religious here. People have dignity here. I'm from the South of Egypt. The way people treat others here reminds me of the way they treat others in Southern Egypt. What really pleased me today was meeting with an official who is responsible for education (Christine Kearl, Education Director for the Governor). I really benefited from that meeting. I saw in her mind vast knowledge. I really wished that this meeting would have lasted longer. I had so many questions for her. She was a person of understanding and knowledge. When I go back to my country, I'm going to keep with me what I've seen here in the U.S. I want to try to apply these principles if the resources are available. For example, I've noticed here that you have 5 periods of athletics and music. I'd like to bring this back to Egypt. I was also impressed on the focus on kids with special needs, who have weak points. Here, they help to elevate their skills and their ability to learn. When I go back, I'm going to design a plan that promotes the positive points and treats the negative aspects in education. I almost feel like I'm engineer, I'm designing a building!"