FOREIGN ACADEMY EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The USMA Foreign Academy Exchange Program (FAEP) has been sending cadets to different foreign military academies since 1958 during their spring break to allow them the opportunity to learn about life in other countries. This year 60 cadets visited 30 different countries around the world from Argentina to Uruguay.

The program is meant to foster and maintain good will and establish relationships with other nations. All cadets, with the exception of fouth-class cadets, can participate with approval from the Dean and their tactical officer. Cadets must also have a working knowledge of the language of the host country.

The visits vary in each country, but each cadet gains a cultural exchange of ideas and values from the experience. Cadets attend classes and join in during military exercises with the cadets from the host country. Many also have an opportunity for fun and sight-seeing during their stay.

Cadets from Chile, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina gather for a group photo at King Dominion Amusement Park in Richmond, Va. Exchange cadets had the chance to experience some fun at the park with their American counterparts.

A trip to New York City is never complete without a stop at Gray's Papaya where customers can get a good lunch for under $3. Cadet Jeanne Gorlin (left) ensured that cadets from Chile and Uruguay didn't miss out on the experience.

Cadet Jeanne Gorlin (second from left) with senior Uruguayan cadets during her stay at the Escuela Militar (Military School of Uruguay).

Cadet Jeremy Singer poses with Uruguayan cadets prior to a night exercise at the Escuela Militar in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Cadet Jordan Roach (left) attends a soccer game with an Ecuadorian cadet from the La Escuela Superior Military "Eloy Alfaro" in Quito, Ecuador. The hometown “Liga de Quito” team beat “Barcelona” of Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2-1.

KUWAIT

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Cadets Zachary Watson (front) and Blaine Decker fire Berettas at the Ali Al-Sabah Military College indoor range in Kuwait.

Cadets Brandon Frei and Victor Munoz enjoy their visit to a popular beach for surfers in Vina del Mar, Chile.

Cadets Dmitry Shekyman (second from left) and Clayton Merkley (right) didn't choose a warm location for their FAEP visit. Instead they found themselves playing in the mud with a Ukrainian officer and cadets in Odessa, Ukraine.

Cadets Dan Lessard, Derek Mitchel, Walter Vogel and Amber Welch spent spring break at the French Military Academy 'L'ecole Speciale Militaire' at St. Cyr. While there they enjoyed a variety of French cuisine with St. Cyr cadets.

Spanish cadets stand with cadets Mark Salvati and Alexander Kline at the base of the mountain where Spanish cadets undergo their second year mountain training. The location is just one mile from the border of France.

A visit to the Moldovan Military Museum was a must for learning more about the independence of this eastern European country.

Cadets John Hughes and Chelsey Wright sit with General Prada, Superintendent of Heroico Colegio Militar, during their trip to Mexico for FAEP.

Cadets Wright and Hughes stop with their Mexican cadet escorts to view a model of the Mexican Military Academy. A Lieutenant took a minute to point out the symbolism of various architectural styles on the campus.

From left to right, Cadets Michael Duda, Clinton Wing, Curt Belohlavek, and Jacob Rykken pose with their Kyrgyz counterparts at the Kyrgyz Military Academy in Bishkek. While at the academy, the cadets attended classes and toured the barracks.

Cadet Belohlavek enjoyed his FAEP trip stating, "It was a great experience to hang out in Kyrgyzstan where there so many new foods and drinks to sample, beautiful mountains to explore, and above all great people to form friendships with."