The weeklong summit, sponsored by Presidential Classroom, brings together student leaders from high schools around the world to explore international relations, diplomacy and the economy. This year nearly 180 high school students participated, expanding their knowledge through seminars and guest speakers. They also had the opportunity to visit the U.S. State Department, the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and memorials and museums.

Participants were split up into delegations then sub-units. After being assigned an issue, each unit had to create a bill to present at a mock world summit, using negotiating tactics learned earlier in the week to defend their position.

Cushma's unit created a human rights bill that focused on education. After the bill was presented, it was passed by the delegations.

"This is the first time in 10 years that a human rights bill was passed," Cushma said.

In elementary school history class, Cushma learned about the caste system. But at the summit she met students who actually belonged to castes and whose generation will be the first not to have an arranged marriage (although they are still not allowed to marry outside of their caste).

She learned that the students who belonged to the upper caste are not allowed to drive and therefore, have their own personal drivers-a shock to Cushma, who can't wait to obtain her permit and begin driving.

Cushma met delegates from Sri Lanka who admitted they had to remind themselves to eat with utensils while at the summit because they normally ate with their hands.

She couldn't believe how fascinated students from India and Latin America were with her blond hair and blue eyes (they all had dark hair and eyes).

The Peters Township High School junior was in awe of how well everyone spoke English. Many international schools teach classes in English so students learn it as their second language. Cushma also found that she had learned more in her Spanish class than she realized and was able to carry on a conversation with students from Guatemala and Honduras.

A Buddhist student talked to Cushma about his faith, expanding on what she had learned from a lecture in one of her classes at high school.

And while Cushma said American students know little about the history of other countries, the students she met were very knowledgeable of America's history and its past leaders.

Nevertheless, Cushma was surprised at the similarities.

"People think that teenagers from other countries are so different from us, but really teenagers from around the world are all the same," she said.

At Peters Township High School, Cushma is a member of the National Honor Society, Lady Indians basketball team, student council, and Spanish Club.

She plans to go into the medical field and become a physician's assistant, but the summit influenced her ideas even more.

"After I'm certified, I want to go to poorer countries and help those with medical needs. I think it would be really cool to live in another country," she said.

The Future World Leaders Summit opened Cushma's eyes to other cultures and expanded her way of thinking. She hopes other students take advantage of this great opportunity.

To learn more about The Future World Leaders Summit and Presidential Classroom, visit www.presidentialclassroom.org, or email info@presidentialclassroom.org.

Christine Goreman is a senior at Canon-McMillan High School.