PAX - Program of Academic Exchange is a program of PAX Laurasian Exchange and is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.

PAX student’s work chosen over 200+ entries

Each year for the last 21 years, the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) has hosted their annual Art Cover Design Contest. In their words, “High school exchange students inspired by their experiences are encouraged to submit artwork representing the spirit of youth exchange and how it transforms the lives of young people.”

The winner’s artwork is featured on the cover of CSIET’s next iteration of the Advisory List, an annual compilation of exchange programs evaluated and found to comply with CSIET standards. In addition to that honor, the winner receives a cash prize of $500!

Through this artwork, I wanted to express the importance of sharing this part of our culture.

While entrants come from many organizations across the exchange student landscape, PAX students have fared extremely well over the years. In fact, another PAXer, Roberta Paraschiv of Romania, won as recently as 2020.

This year, among over 200 entries, another PAXer took top honors. Hosted in Washington State, Ekaterine’s (FLEX, Georgia) food-focused masterpiece had the judges’ mouths watering. Ekaterine’s insight into her work is nearly as masterful as the piece itself.

Here’s what the Georgian had to say:

"One of the biggest parts of an exchange year is to share your traditional food with your family and friends. Through this artwork, I wanted to express the importance of sharing this part of our culture. On the other hand, it shows how, maybe we differ so much from each other, but still, it’s not restricting us from sitting around the same table and sharing our meals with one another."

—Ekaterine (FLEX, Georgia), hosted by the Enck family (WA)