Tulsa Hosts German Bundestag Delegation Through “Beyond Washington” Program
Tulsa Global Alliance was privileged to host a group of 20 staff members of the German Bundestag, or parliament, August 11-15 through the “Beyond Washington” program, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. They were accompanied by Bettina Heinen Koesters, Public Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. The purpose of this program is to strengthen transatlantic relations by providing the German participants with a deeper understanding of the U.S. heartland, and thus promote a deeper understanding of U.S. domestic and resultant foreign policies in the political landscape in Germany.The Beyond Washington program has been administered by Cultural Vistas, one of TGA’s National Program Agency partners, since 2018, and 2025 was TGA’s first opportunity to host this group. More information on the program is available at: https://culturalvistas.org/our-programs/professional-study-tours/beyond-washington
TGA arranged high-level meetings with government leaders in Oklahoma and Tulsa, including Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, City Councilor Christian Bengel, State Representative Suzanne Schreiber, and former Sac and Fox Chief Kay Rhoads. Their schedule included opportunities to learn about the importance of energy and agriculture in Oklahoma through visits to Williams and the Flying G Ranch, and a community service project volunteering at the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Oral Roberts University provided the delegation with a campus tour, and Tulsa Innovation Labs catered a special lunch for them to learn about Tulsa’s leadership in advanced technology. The group also met with organizations such as the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, Victory Christian, OSU Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma Republican Party, and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. TGA hosted the group for a Toast the Travelers reception at Marshall Brewing Company and a Tulsa Drillers baseball game.
The group also enjoyed home hospitality dinner in the homes of Tulsa families. One of the German participants, Victor Bashkatov, shared this about his experience: “One of the most memorable parts of the program has been the warm hospitality of our host family during a shared dinner. These moments go far beyond a simple meal — they are a form of dinner diplomacy, where stories, perspectives, and laughter help bridge the Atlantic. Such evenings create genuine connections between people from Germany and the United States, fostering a deeper understanding not only between our countries, but also between the participants who shape the transatlantic relationship every day.”
TGA Vice-Chair of Global Education Tina Peña spoke about her experience meeting the German delegation at Toast the Travelers: “What an exciting experience it was to share a meal with our international guests! It was a chance to truly connect, exchange ideas, and build friendships. Over delicious food, we talked about political stances, current issues, and our different perspectives, discovering how much we can learn from one another as a global community. Moments like these remind me that understanding often begins with something as simple and joyful as breaking bread together.”
After the program concluded, many of the group returned directly to Germany, but some took advantage of Oklahoma’s unique position in the American heartland to continue their adventures in the United States, traveling to Saint Louis, Chicago, New Mexico, and Washington, DC by bus, trains, and airlines. TGA wishes our new German friends well, and we hope to see them again soon.
