Richie Mathes the engaging “ah-shucks” fellow from SE Kentucky, who one the hearts of everyone has been featured in his home town newspaper, The Times Tribune. Check out his recollections.

“Richie made several good friends while at the program. Sadly, two of his friends returned home to their respective countries, The Republic of Georgia and Russia, to find their nations on opposite sides of a military conflict. The American has stayed in contact with his two European friends via Facebook, applying the diplomatic skills he learned during the summer program to help his friends cope with the stress of their current circumstances. “