What did twelve delegates visiting New Hampshire for WACNH’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) think of the state of the nation over the Independence Day weekend and the 250th anniversary of our foundational document? The warm welcome, the candor, and the willingness of everyone they met to try to explain how values match the contradictions all served to inform and enlighten the visitors to a country celebrating 250 years of independence.

Two Freedom 250 groups of State Department guests visited New Hampshire over the July 4th/America 250 weekend. Arriving on July 1 and departing July 7, each group included 6 international leaders from as many countries and focused on two interest areas: “U.S. State and Local Government” and “The US Constitution’s Enduring Global Legacy.”

Out of the sixteen meetings, two hosted Independence Day BBQs, World Cup game watches, and even kayaking on the Contoocook, the event that one of the visitor liaisons said “brought tears to their eyes” was the Naturalization Ceremony on July 4 at Strawbery Banke Museum.

Hangama Roeen, a WACNH intern for the summer who grew up in Afghanistan, helped welcome the visitors and observed:

“As an intern at the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, I had the chance to meet people from many countries. It was one of the best parts of my internship.

When the delegates arrived at World Affairs Council of NH office many of them looked through the gifts to WACNH that are displayed around the room for something from their own country. Thabile from South Africa found a necklace from her country and pointed it out to me with a big smile. Another delegate from Guatemala, Fredman, found a small banner and exclaimed, "Look! This is my country's flag!" It was nice to see how happy these small, familiar things made them feel.

I also made new friends, including Felista from Tanzania. After taking a selfie together, we exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch. Fredman and I spoke French together. We talked about our countries, our food, our cultures, and our daily lives. I learned so many new things from the delegates.

One conversation that I will always remember was with a delegate from Ukraine. We talked about the wars in our countries with tears in our eyes and hoped that one day there would be peace.”

As Anise Jasman-Sayers, WACNH IVP Director said, “Seeing that America is truly a nation of immigrants – that there is an actual process to become a US citizen, with a formal oath-taking ceremony, and that hundreds of local residents were there to welcome those 101 new Americans with cheers and applause – that made a huge impression.”

As did Bosnia-Herzegovina’s delegate’s surprise that there were more Bosnians than Americans at the Bosnia-Herzegovina v US World Cup watch party at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.

We observed sessions with Margaret Byrnes, NH Municipal Association executive director, Cindy Stewart, Manchester School Board member-at-large and, at UNH, Michelle Holt-Shannon, NH Listens president and Stephen Bird, executive director of the Carsey School where animated discussions contrasted the municipal government, education and public engagement experiences in 12 different countries with those in the US.

On the occasion of the 250th, New Hampshire’s own history and dedication to democratic principles, fair elections and the rule of law showed these groups why the state has played such an important role in the success of the United States, while providing insights into how communities remain flexible and responsive to changing realities. Questions asked and deeper understandings of how experiences in the US compared and contrasted with their shared experience with challenges in their countries.

The judge from Bucharest, Romania asked about corruption and whether municipal officials could amass too much power. The think tank executive director asked Michelle Holt-Shannon how the NH Listens process succeeded in getting opposing camps “at the table and talking to each other.” The Municipality Project Manager from South Africa and the Deputy Mayor from Guyana agreed with the Manchester School Board representative that the balance of discipline and responsibility in education were quite similar to those in the US. The political science professor from Monterrey, Mexico looked for a model that showed “how democracy can be strengthened at the local level by the local people.” A discussion at the Carsey School for Public Policy about sustainable development goals considered the energy issue of fracking.

Hangama commented, “America's 250th anniversary was also very special for me. It was my first time celebrating Independence Day in the United States. I saw American flags everywhere. Families and friends were together, and many people wore red, white, and blue. At night, I watched the fireworks. The streets were full of happy people, and everyone was enjoying the celebration. I could see how proud people were of their country.”

All of the conversations, in formal meetings and informal chats, ranged across the varied landscape of life in New Hampshire on the Fourth of July, 2026. And at the end of the day, both groups sported new t-shirts as their best souvenirs from the 250th as they left to meet up with 180 other Freedom 250 delegates in Philadelphia.

For Hangama: “This experience taught me many things. I learned that international exchange is not only about meetings. It is also about making friends, sharing ideas, learning about different cultures, and understanding each other better. I will always remember these experiences.”

By: Stephanie Seacord, WACNH Events & Education Coordinator