Programs & Events
Sailors from USS Curts make port visit and forge friendship with students of PISQ
On Wednesday, July 16th, sailors from the USS Curts, an American frigate conducting a port visit in Doha, spent the day with students from the Philippine International School Qatar (PISQ). The 15 students (aged 13-15 years old), were accompanied by their principal, the school CEO, and faculty on the day-long trip, which began with a session of ice skating at the Villagio Mall and ended with lunch and a tour of the Curts.
Once on the ice at Villagio, the American sailors, led by their Commander, paired up with the students. Both sides had their fair share of novice skaters encouraging sailors and students to work together to learn to navigate the ice and providing a fun environment for the initial interaction for nearly all of the students with U.S. military personnel.
Following the conclusion of the ice skating session, the PISQ students were invited for lunch on board the Curts as well as a tour of the ship. During lunch, the students chatted with the sailors about their lives on the ship and were then split into smaller groups for tours covering the flight deck, engine room, and control room. Afterwards, everyone reconvened on the flight deck where the students were given books from the U.S. Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Officer, Mahvash Siddiqui, as well as hats from the Curts and then group pictures were taken.
U.S. Embassies routinely work with ships making port visits around the world in reaching out to the local community. Activities range from assisting in painting local schools to playing friendly sports matches to providing medical care to those in need, as well as interacting with students and military forces. These encounters successfully foster a better understanding between the U.S. military and foreign citizens around the world.
Sailors, students and embassy officials on the deck of USS Curts