Iraqi Students Get Lessons in Democracy

(CBS)  Growing up in Iraq, Hasan Talib's teenage years were scarred by war. Now, as CBS News correspondent Seth Doane reports, Talib wants to help his country heal and rebuild. His mission has brought him all the way to the U.S. capital to witness democracy in action.

"The diversity is what makes you guys stronger - I think the diversity is a good thing for every country," Talib said.

"So it's a challenge for you to say - how do we make that work to our advantage in Iraq?" Doane asked.

"Yeah - and we will make that work."

Talib is one of more than 50 Iraqi university students invited to the U.S. for a summer-exchange program funded by the U.S. State Department.

Through teambuilding workshops and community service projects, a diverse group of Iraqi Christians, Muslims, Arabs and Kurds are brought together to glimpse the patchwork of American life.

Medical student, Veyan Agha was one of 500 to apply. She says even the simplest values she's observed in America - like being on time - could help her country function more smoothly.

Can fifty students coming here and going back to Iraq really make a difference?

"We can make a difference," Agha said. "Because when you tell your friend and your friend is gonna tell his friend or her friends and it's just like - just the circle is gonna get bigger and bigger."

Of course, the idea of an exchange is that learning goes both ways. Iraqi student Flona Fareed is teaching some American students.

"When they ask me like do you go by camel to your university? And I was like, I'm going to be a dentist, I have my own car!"

This next generation of Iraqi leaders says they'll stay united back at home. After all, they've seen a country made up of many which can work together as one.

[HoosierAgain]

Nice piece -- but itleft the impression that the students spent all their time in Washignton, D.C. In reality, they were based in "the heartland," at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville and Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. Speaking as a Hoosier, I was glad to have the Iraqi students here -- and, no, not all of us assumed they ride camels to work.... :-)

[tsigili]

Which will be ignored, in the face of Islamic law, of course. America needs to remove its "stupid" mask.

[eruo90]

I?m Dutch citizen origin from Iraq. I would like to thank the American people for helping Iraq to turn to democracy. I appreciate all the scarified the American people done for Iraq.
Thanks America and Thanks Holland

[longtree-2009]

they will learn that nearly every product on our store shelves is made in china, that communist china has surpassed the usa the world's best democracy. they will see how divided americans are today, the class like social system in place. americans are a divided people along many lines and we all have forgotten that "united we stand, divided we fall." from the potus down to the average person on the street, all one hears and sees is more and more division, divisiveness. just listen closely to what anyone is saying. we no longer celebrate one flag, one culture but many across the land. allegiance is no longer to just the usa but to a person's original homeland, or ancestrial homeland. duty, honor, country are but words in history. if the usa is still around at the end of the 21st century, it will surely be a miracle.

[nevgreco]

I would love to see more students come here to America..We need this to introduce Democracy and getting along with other HumAns...Humans is an important word...Also how we respect in a way other people and their beliefs with out wanting to kill them...As a 2nd Genaration Greek, who came from Greece..we assimulated with everyone here..Represented our Greek Culture and also celebrated yours..Notice that we all eat chinese food and now thai...God is love..Nev from Las Vegas...