Israeli-Arab Student Group, Hosted by Cheltenham High, Tours Philadelphia
By Suzanne Monaghan
CHELTENHAM, Pa. (CBS) -- A group of Israeli-Arab students are in Philadelphia for a ten-day visit organized by students at Cheltenham High School.
Between sightseeing events today, the students gathered at the Israeli consulate in Philadelphia to discuss US-Israel relations with consul general Yaron Sidemen.
"There is no better way of eliminating biases, prejudices, and to build bridges between people and cultures than projects like this," Sideman said, "and that's what I find very compelling about it."
Shahd Ahmad, 17, is among the fifteen students who arrived Saturday from Tel Aviv-Yafo.
"I have never been to America," he said. "I wanted to see new culture, new environment. It's very different than in Israel, but it's also very refreshing."
On Wednesday, the group will get to experience the culture of an American school when they spend the morning at Cheltenham High.