While many students spend Spring Break in warm, tropical places, Ashton Charles will be spending hers talking about diplomacy in the cold climate of Russia.
On March 6, Charles will set off to Russia with 14 other student body presidents as part of a program to extend diplomacy through young leaders across the U.S.
“Words cannot express how excited I am,” she said.
The trip is financed by the Russian government, and the Open World Leadership Center of Congress connects the young leaders with Russia.
Chang Suh, senior adviser to the Open World Leadership Center of Congress, said the purpose of the agency is to support citizen diplomacy, especially with young people.
Charles said she was very thankful for the nomination and plans to learn as much as possible before the trip.
Charles and Student Body President Gallop Franklin from Florida A&M University are the only two representatives from Florida.
Charles said she hopes to represent the U.S. and UF as best as possible by talking about ideas to move toward goals for future generations.
“The best diplomacy you can have is to interact with others,” she said.
