Mars Area High School was selected to receive the 2023-24 U.S. Department of State Medallion recognizing the school’s participation in the AFS-USA student exchange program.

The medallion is awarded to those schools that welcome foreign exchange students; thereby introducing students to the diversity of cultures, attitudes, and languages. The symbol also shows appreciation for a school’s willingness in sharing local culture with a student from abroad.

This school year, Mars Area High School’s Mars International Student Association and American Field Service Chapter welcomed senior Charlotte Nikel of Germany and senior Marko Pavlovski of North Macedonia.

The U.S Department of State offers several scholarships for any students interested in studying abroad: the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study Program, the Future-Leaders Exchange Program and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program.