Phoenix is connected to 10 cities in different countries around the world through an international exchange program called Phoenix Sister Cities.  According to www.phoenixsistercities.org., the program is internationally recognized and has received multiple awards from Sister Cities International for Best Overall Program.

Phoenix Sister Cities offers high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of multiple cultures through their Youth Ambassador Exchange Program (YAEP).  

Accepted applicants serve as youth ambassadors to one of the 10 Phoenix Sister Cities: Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan.  

In preparation for their travels abroad, youth ambassadors participate in various activities, like Academy Sessions, etc.,) in order to learn how to interact in their host city and how to best represent Phoenician and American culture.   

Youth ambassadors travel to their assigned Sister City in the summer where they stay with an “international counterpart” and a host family for approximately three weeks.  During this trip, the ambassadors receive the opportunity to experience firsthand the diversity of international cultures and developing new friendships.

Once they return home, ambassadors receive their international counterparts in their homes.  Youth ambassadors are responsible for introducing the international students to American culture through a variety of activities.

Last summer, senior Victoria Jordan participated in the YAEP.  Jordan was one of the program’s youth ambassadors to Japan, where she stayed for three weeks and returned home to host two international students: a girl from Himeji, Japan, and a girl from Catania, Italy.  While Jordan was hosting the exchange students, they engaged in different activities such as a mock-prom and various American holiday celebrations.

“Traveling to a foreign country, especially one overseas, influenced how I now look at the world around me,” said Jordan. “I learned that teenagers around the world share so [many] more similarities than differences. Japan was a wonderful country to experience a whole new culture through its language, food, the people, and the overall atmosphere.”

Jordan’s sister, sophomore Rebecca Jordan, was inspired by her sister to become involved with the program.  “I want to get involved with the program especially because it allows you to make so many new friends and learn about their traditions and backgrounds from their [countries].”  Rebecca enjoyed the experience of having her sister host the exchange students and was very impressed with program overall.