Embassy of the United States

There was one difference in Consular Officer Dan Koski's December 6, 2007 visit to students of Rózsa High School in Békéscsaba (southeast Hungary).  He wasn't there.  Dan engaged the students via a Skype connection and a webcam in the Public Affairs Office. The twenty-five students gathered in the school's computer lab where Dan's image was projected on a screen and asked questions on a wide variety of topics.  In reply, Dan explained that students should not be intimidated by the sticker cost of a term of study in the U.S.  American universities are keen to have Hungarian students on their campuses and many opportunities for scholarship and tuition fee abatements exist.  Moreover, the Embassy approves more than 90% of all student visa requests, so this should not be an impediment either. 

In answering other questions on the students' minds, he assured them that U.S. goals in Iraq were to restore stability and facilitate political reconciliation to allow Iraqis to chart their own future, and he expressed appreciation for Hungary's commitment to democratic transitions in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Békéscsaba broadcast and print press covered the event - it was the first time anyone had seen electronic media used in such a way.  Given this success, Public Affairs Budapest expects to expand the use of this public diplomacy tool in the future.