Graduating in 2025 webinar - SIGN UP Loading...

Secure a place for the Graduating in 2025 webinar

📅 June 18, 2025 • 12:00 pm • Malaysia (GMT +8) • Online
9.30 a.m. Mumbai, 11 a.m. Ho Chi Minh, 2 p.m. Sydney
Limited Registration Closes In:
0 Days 00 Hours 00 Mins 00 Secs
A 2025 CV starter pack, exclusive to international students
Practical guide to scoring interviews
Discover scholarships for master's programmes worth up to US$25,000

    Only 21 spots Available.
    Barack Obama high school
    Obama crashed a class at McKinley Tech in Washington DC, on Sept 8, 2017. Source: @BarackObama

    As high schools in the US are settling back into the first semester after summer break, students at McKinley Tech in Washington DC thought Friday was going to be a day like any other day… until in walked a former President of the United States.

    With his usual laid back cool-dad approach, Barack Obama strolled into the high school class with a simple, “Hey, how’s it going everybody?”, taking them entirely by surprise – needless to say, hysteria ensued.

    Once the high schoolers recovered from the shock, Obama spoke to them about the importance of politicians, such as himself, engaging with young people.

    “One of the things I did throughout my presidency was I’d meet with groups of young people everywhere I went, whether it was here in the US or when I was travelling overseas,” Obama told the teenagers.

    “Just to kind of hear from them, find out what they’re interested in, because I do believe most of the problems we have are going to be solved by you.”

    Video of the classroom “crashing” was posted to Obama’s Instagram and showed the former president leaving the school to throngs of screaming student supporters who covered the front lawn. “Make us proud,” his Instagram caption reads. “You’re the next generation of leaders, and we need you.”

    Appreciation for Obama and the inevitable comparisons with current US President Donald Trump quickly flooded social media.

    In a statement obtained by The Hill, Obama spokesman Keith Schiller said the former president was joined by District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson for a discussion with students about “their life goals, pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities.”

    “President Obama is focused on supporting the next generation of leaders,” the statement said. “Today’s meeting is part of that ongoing conversation with young people.”

    Throughout his presidency, Obama made a point of connecting with young people around the globe, often visiting schools and spearheading campaigns to promote education in deprived areas.

    Then-first lady Michelle Obama is a known classroom crasher herself, casually walking into a cooking class at John Burroughs Elementary School in Northeast Washington back in 2016. Her arrival prompted one young boy to leap from his seat and fly into her arms.

    As First Lady, Michelle also worked on a global girls’ education initiative. The Let Girls Learn mission is a global effort aimed at giving girls the education they need to “fulfill their potential and lift up their families, communities and countries.”

    Liked this? Then you’ll love these…

    Malia Obama moves into Harvard dorm with little fanfare

    Medical students, faculty rally to try to save Obamacare