Ep 7. Foreign Relations

Elena's world is expanding in the seventh episode of Diary of a Future President season 1 titled "Foreign Relations." With her confidence and knowledge continuing to evolve, Elena is finally gaining some traction in her school campaign to become class president. But she's also looking beyond her own school with new experiences, this week taking her to meet with a foreign dignitary.

Though at first Elena balks at the notion of meeting a diplomat a world away from her Miami world, her mother encourages her to think bigger. It's a valuable lesson in looking beyond oneself and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes one's way. So Elena gets to work learning about cultural differences, traditions, and manners as she prepares for her meeting with a Ghanaian diplomat, who also happens to be a highly-regarded and decorated alum of their school.

Elena's new interest in other cultures and ways of life also impacts her personal life, as she becomes more interested in learning about the culinary customs of countries around the world. Though her father initially suggests that they stick to the "American staples" of hot dogs and hamburgers during a barbecue, Elena pushes for a more diverse menu. With the help of her grandmother, Elena ends up embracing flavors from around the world and preparing some truly unique dishes for their cookout.

As Elena prepares for her meeting with the diplomat, she also navigates the tricky terrain of friend dynamics. When her childhood friend Bobby begins showing an interest in her school campaign, Elena suddenly realizes that she might have feelings for him, too. But her best friend Sasha cautions her against mixing friendship and romance, causing Elena to reevaluate her feelings and put a bit of distance between her and Bobby.

Meanwhile, Elena's mother Gabi is up for a promotion at work, which is exciting news for the family. But it also means that Gabi has to be a bit more secretive and strategic in her job, something that is new to her. As she juggles her work and home life, Gabi is also dealing with her own feelings of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Elena and her brother Bobby try to help their mother by offering words of encouragement, but it's ultimately up to Gabi to gain the confidence to go for what she wants.

In "Foreign Relations," the characters of Diary of a Future President continue to grow and evolve, as they explore new interests, grapple with complex interpersonal dynamics, and become more curious about the world around them. Elena's journey in particular is one of self-discovery and education, as she embraces new experiences and challenges herself to be bolder in her pursuits. With humor, heart, and relatability, this episode highlights the importance of having a growth mindset and staying curious about the world.