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One of the most striking aspects of the program was its emphasis on community service. In the United States, volunteering is not simply a leisure activity; it is widely understood as a moral duty and a cornerstone of civic life. 

Participants worked in food services, supported local outreach programs such as Amherst’s Black community’s Ancestral Bridges, and experienced firsthand how Americans mobilize grassroots efforts to support those in need. These activities highlighted a form of social responsibility that complements—rather than replaces—government systems, reflecting a deeply held belief in the power of communities to take care of their own. 

For many participants, this revealed a perspective on citizenship and service that contrasted with the structures in their home countries, while at the same time inspiring ideas for how similar initiatives might flourish abroad.

In the United States, volunteering is not simply a leisure activity; it is widely understood as a moral duty and a cornerstone of civic life.

Equally meaningful were our hospitality visits with American host families. These encounters brought the principles of community and care into a more intimate setting. Sharing meals, hiking together - watch out for poison ivy! - and engaging in conversation around kitchen tables offered a glimpse into everyday American life that no lecture or museum could provide. These moments of generosity and openness reminded everyone in our group that beyond politics, the essence of cultural exchange is about human relationships.

The program also coincided with significant cultural events, such as the Juneteenth celebrations in Amherst and the 4th of July traditions in Washington D.C. Observing and participating in these commemorations gave us the chance to witness how the U.S. confronts and reinterprets its past.

Juneteenth, which marks the emancipation of enslaved people, underscored the importance of remembering history not as static, but as a living dialogue between past injustices and present aspirations. 

The same was true in visiting Washington D.C., where we had an opportunity to visit both National Archives to see the original Constitution of the United States and the Smithsonian Institutes biggest museums. For international visitors, joining local communities in reflection and celebration made tangible the ways in which culture, memory, and activism continue to shape American identity.

Throughout the program, Americans themselves left a lasting impression. From university lecturers and community organizers to school teachers and local volunteers, there was a palpable warmth and willingness to engage with visitors from abroad. 

Despite the country’s internal challenges, the openness with which Americans welcomed participants spoke volumes about the resilience of hospitality as a cultural value. Whether sharing historical insights, explaining baseball rules, or engaging in a warm conversation with an election worker on the functionings of a ballot box from the 1930s, these acts of kindness created bonds that transcended national divides.

The SUSI 2025 experience demonstrated that cultural exchange is most powerful when it is grounded not only in academic inquiry, but also in shared work, celebration, and fellowship. In times of political uncertainty, programs like these remind us that people-to-people connections are the most enduring form of diplomacy. By engaging with local communities, embracing host families, and participating in moments of cultural reflection, participants discovered that the heart of America is not only in its institutions, but also in its people.

Cultural exchange is most powerful when it is grounded not only in academic inquiry, but also in shared work, celebration, and fellowship. In times of political uncertainty, programs like these remind us that people-to-people connections are the most enduring form of diplomacy.

As the group dispersed back to Finland, Morocco, India, Honduras, South Africa, and beyond, they carried with them more than knowledge—they carried relationships, memories, and renewed belief in dialogue. In a world often defined by division, the lessons of SUSI 2025 are clear: cultural exchange and community spirit remain essential pathways to understanding, cooperation, and peace.