09/28/2026
When we introduce the Open World Program to someone unfamiliar with the program, it is hard to fully explain all that takes place over the course of a single visit. Delegates from around the world are welcomed into the homes and communities of Americans they have never met before. Over the course of the week, delegates and their generous hosts share meals, exchange ideas and perspectives, experience one another’s cultures, and form connections that would otherwise be difficult to create.
It is rare that we are able to capture the full scope of an Open World program, but thanks to a group of students at Miami University, we are able to offer a glimpse into what the Open World experience is truly about. Enter our recent Ukrainian delegation's visit to Oxford, Ohio.
Over the course of the week, our delegates from Dubno, Ukraine had the opportunity to connect with people from across the community. They met with students and educators, families and local residents, city leaders and public servants, university faculty, community organizations, and everyday members of the Oxford community.
Oxford welcomed the delegation into the community with open arms. Delegates stayed with local host families, attended a Talawanda High School Homecoming football game, joined residents for OXtoberfest, and participated in the installation of a Peace Pole with the Rotary Club of Oxford.
Throughout the week, our delegates experienced Oxford from many different perspectives. They learned about local government and community policing from city officials, toured essential public services, and explored how Oxford and Butler County approach infrastructure, emergency management, and public safety.
Education was also a major part of the exchange. At Miami University, delegates met with faculty, administrators, and students to discuss public affairs, civic education, international engagement, and undergraduate education, while also learning about the Myaamia Center and the history of the university.
At Talawanda High School, Delegates shared Ukrainian culture and perspectives on local government with students and then visited nursing, agricultural education, art, and music programs, giving students and delegates alike an opportunity to learn directly from one another.
As always, one of the most important aspects of our program is simply experiencing the community. From exploring Oxford with host families and meeting residents at community events to riding the Oxford Area Trail System, learning from local beekeepers, gathering with city staff and community partners, and traveling to Columbus and Cincinnati, our delegation was able to truly experience the Ohio spirit.
That is what makes the Open World Program so special. Professional exchange is an important part of every program, but so are the relationships built around dinner tables, in classrooms, at community events, and through conversations between people who live thousands of miles apart.
A special thank you to the Miami University students who traveled to Every.Single.Meeting with our delegation and helped capture their Oxford experience through photos and video! Your work helped document not only where our delegates went, but the many connections and friendships that made their visit so meaningful.
And a huge thank you to the City of Oxford, Ohio Administration, host families, Miami University, Talawanda City School District, the Rotary Club of Oxford, Ohio, local organizations, community partners, and everyone who welcomed our Ukrainian delegates with such generosity and enthusiasm. This truly was a community-wide exchange!
