WILTON PARK, UK—My introduction to London was four hours spent in the Gatwick airport, with a splitting headache, no Starbucks in sight (I was in the wrong terminal for that), and in a pair of shoes that I’ll never wear to travel again. It was 3 AM on my body’s clock, so I sipped on a sub-par latte, wishing desperately I had a British accent and all the sophistication it implies, and prepared myself for the week ahead by browsing the latest Economist. I had intended to read it on the plane, as well as a whole stack of intellectual material, but the screaming infant in front of me had other plans for our seven hours together.

I’m one of three YPFP members privileged to participate in the week-long Atlantic Youth Forum, at the generosity of the British Embassy in Washington. The week is spent at Wilton Park, just south of London.  During the week, distinguished speakers – from the UK and from the US -- will come to Wilton Park to speak to the three of us in addition to roughly 50 other young people from 18 different countries, mostly European. The week's seminars and discussions will focus on a wide range of issues facing the world: the US elections, international security, EU enlargement, the political influcence of young people, and even a seminar on Facebook. We’re taking a day trip to London tomorrow to tour Parliament, visit the US embassy, and hear from the Foreign & Commonwealth office. In addition, we’re participating in lively discussion groups with the other participants—I believe a great deal of what I take back to America with me will have come out of these discussion groups. The distinguished speakers have a lot to offer by way of their experience and wisdom--but since I'll someday be running the world (so to speak) with the young people, I find their perspectives to be of particular value.

Unfortunately, Wilton Park has a very strong rule against attribution; as such, the benefit is great to those in the room, since it may encourage some guests to be more candid,  but I wish I was able to share more in this blog. Instead, I will write here about my experiences with European students / youth like myself.

Admittedly, I’m not an expert on Europe and European issues—so readers will have to forgive me if my observations seem obvious. So far, this has been a fantastic experience for me since my regional background focuses mainly on the Middle East.
 Kyle is taking his camera with us to London as well, so hopefully we can add some pictures. More to follow!