The Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, sponsored by Phoenix Sister Cities, Inc., offers young people from around the world an opportunity to learn firsthand about each other’s cultures.
“This is a life changing experience for our youth that opens their minds to different cultures and prepares them for the global society we live in,” said Paula West, executive director, Phoenix Sister Cities. “Many of our past youth ambassadors have pursued international careers based on their experiences in this program.”
Phoenix resident high school sophomores and juniors are selected on the basis of their communication skills, maturity, flexibility, leadership and self-confidence. The students live with a host family in their designated sister cities for three weeks during the early summer and then open their home to their host family’s son or daughter when they come to Phoenix in late July. No city tax dollars are used.
The following is a list of the 2014 Phoenix youth ambassadors and their sister city destinations:
Catania, Italy
Seth Carroll, Sunnyslope High School
Henry V. Mackey, Arcadia High School
Chengdu, China
James Glasscock, Horizon High School
Jennifer Macias, North High School
Steven Sawtelle, Paradise Valley High School
Ennis, Ireland
Estefania Lopez, Trevor Browne High School
Emma Mertens, Arizona School for the Arts
Grenoble, France
Hannah Espey, North Canyon High School
Gregory Flores, Brophy College Preparatory
Juan “Danny” Valencia, Tempe High School
Hermosillo, Mexico
Rae Aaron, Arcadia High School
Haley Farley, AAEC – Estrella Mountain High School
Laurel Freeman, Arizona School for the Arts
Himeji, Japan
Amanda Corona, Arizona School for the Arts
Ryan Featherston, Arizona School for the Arts
Elena Pierson, Arcadia High School
Prague, Czech Republic
Ari Bradshaw, Phoenix Country Day
George Muhn, Mountain High School
Ramat-Gan, Israel
Jakob Nemetz, Sandra Day O’Connor High School
Cristobal Macias, Paradise Valley High School
Taipei, Taiwan
Mercedez Gutierrez, Mountain Pointe High School
Olive Mier-Holland, Chaparral High School
Emily Rauch, Arcadia High School
Since 1988, more than 600 Phoenix students have participated in the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program.
The 2014 program is funded through private donations and students’ families. Phoenix Sister Cities funds half of the airfare between Phoenix and the selected sister city through private funds, while the remaining half is the responsibility of the youth ambassadors and their families. Scholarships are also available.
For more information, call 480-635-6861 or visit phoenixsistercities.org.