Last year, Hacienda-La Puente school board member Jay Chen got a lesson in what he called xenophobia when community members became enraged over a Chinese language and culture program being offered by the school district. This year, he got a lesson in international relations instead.

Chen was chosen as one of seven delegates to Indonesia and Malaysia for an annual trip sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders.

The exchange program started in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on July 15 and returned home July 22. While overseas, the delegates met with political leaders, dignitaries and members of human rights groups.

Read about his trip at Chen.