Michael Benike

I have worked multiple jobs that have helped me develop a strong work ethic. I am also a very outgoing person and love meeting new people. In 2022 I was selected to be one of the first five American High School students to study abroad in the country Kazakhstan through the FLEX Abroad Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. By studying abroad for a year and spending time in Washington D.C., I was able to put our country's government in perspective and learned the importance of maintaining positive relations with foreign nations. These experiences have shaped me into the passionate and hard worker I am today.

07/01/23-Present. Waconia, Student Body President, Waconia High School.

 As the student body president of Waconia High School, I am able to use the leadership skills I learned during my year abroad towards organizing and running meetings and events for the high school. 

08/01/22-06/01/23. Almaty, Exchange Student, FLEX Abroad Program.

 I was a part of the inaugural year of the Flex Abroad Program funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This program sent out the first group of high students to live in post-soviet countries and I was sent to Almaty, Kazakhstan along with four others. Living abroad was undoubtedly the hardest thing I have ever done but also the most rewarding in so many ways. 

04/01/23,-06/01/23. Almaty, Founder & Leader, Almaty Conservation Club.

 I was also able to start my own conservation club in Almaty, Kazakhstan which I am very proud of and is still in place today. I was able to use my prior years of experience as an officer in the conservation club at Waconia High School to start this organization through the American Space Center in Almaty. This was the first organization I was entirely in charge of to lead and I put my all towards it.