Category: Sister City Visitors

FORT WORTH, TX  –  Applications now available The 2014 International Leadership Academy (ILA), themed Social Ventures—Investing in Peace, will take place July 19—August 3 at TCU. High school students (grades 9-12) are invited to attend. Applications can be downloaded on the Fort Worth Sister Cities website. Participants will live on the TCU campus, and share a room with students from another country. They will attend classes that are designed to challenge stereotypes, highlight cultures, promote diplomatic dialogue, develop leadership skills, and solve global problems.  Activities will also include field trips to local museums, the Fort Worth Stockyards and a community service project. This unique youth leadership program promotes global understanding by building friendships and creating awareness of international issues.  Since 1989, this award-winning program has brought young people from Fort Worth’s eight sister cities to the area for leadership training. Middle school students are invited to attend the Jr. International Leadership Academy taking place July 14—18. Applications are also available online and will be accepted through April 21st. A full description of ILA and JILA, along with application information, is available at https://www.fwsistercities.org/programs/international-leadership-academy . For more information, individuals should contact Beth Weibel, Sr. Program Manager at (817) 632-7105 or email.

Trinity Valley Ambassador School 2013

Ten high school students from Toluca, Mexico’s Tec de Monterrey Multicultural Program will spend three weeks in Fort Worth hosted by Trinity Valley School Nov. 17 – Dec. 7th, 2013. TVS is one of several Ambassador Schools this year hosting student delegations from Fort Worth’s Sister Cities. Trinity Valley’s Director of Global Initiatives, Dr. Michael Roemer, has planned an enriched program as the 2nd year for this program. The exchange begins with sharing cultures in classes, discussion on “Leadership & Dignity”, local tours and a week of traditional Thanksgiving celebration with host families. The last week will include classes in Environmental Science , volunteer service activities and various club activities such as the World Cultures and Sustainability Club meetings. “Hosting this exchange at Trinity Valley School helps our students learn the value of diversity and to seek commonalities that tie us together,” said Dr. Roemer. Trinity Valley School’s Global Initiatives program is committed to educating K-12 students to become aware of and engaged with the world. The Toluca students will also take part in educational programs at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and BNSF Railways. Cultural tours are planned to the Stockyards, Cowboys Stadium, the Amon Carter Museum and Kimbell Art Museum. Opportunities for the students to enjoy a true western experience on horseback are also planned. The goal of the exchange is to provide an international experience for the students that will inspire global understanding, as well as, an opportunity to share their cultural heritage and traditions. The experience will also provide opportunities for the Toluca students to learn about the U.S. educational system and develop new friendships through a home hosted experience with Fort Worth families. The Toluca students must complete an international exchange as part of their graduation credits and chose to visit Fort Worth. Sister Cities will facilitate this exchange through the Ambassador School Program conducted with various high schools for a 2 to 3 week period. The participating Fort Worth schools support the requirements of the students through academic, entrepreneurial and institutional visits.

Sister Cities Partnering With Three Local Schools

This year’s Ambassador Middle Schools include McLean Middle School, Fort Worth Academy and Trinity Valley School. These schools will host 36 students and teachers from Nagaoka, Japan October 19-27^th on this annual international exchange initiative. Fort Worth Sister Cities established the Ambassador Middle School program in 1991 partnering with local public and private schools to promote global fluency. The goal of the Ambassador Middle School program is to prepare Fort Worth students to be globally fluent and give them the leadership skills needed to succeed in today’s connected world.  At the same time, teachers are given creative teaching tools and exposure to international cultures. “The Fort Worth ISD is proud to partner with Sister Cities on this program, as well as many other international initiatives. We want to give our students the best opportunity possible to be successful,” said Superintendent Walter Dansby.

The Japanese students will attend classes, participate in cultural activities and be home hosted by families from the participating schools.  In partnership with the City of Fort Worth Library, the students will present a Japanese enrichment program for Fort Worth youth at the Shamblee Library.  Through this unique experience the Japanese students will provide a glimpse into life in Japan and its unique culture.

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If you want your school to be involved in a program like this, contact Irene Chase, Vice President at 817-632-7101 or send email.  Your school could be mentioned in our FaceBook page similar to this post:

Congratulations to McLean Middle School! (https://www.facebook.com/mcleanmiddle) They will be one of 3 Fort Worth schools to host students & teachers from Nagaoka, Japan as a part of our partner program with Fort Worth ISD to promote global fluency. (www.fwsistercities.org/news)

Fort Worth, Texas – The World in HD Theme of Sister Cities Leadership Academies

Since 1989, the award-winning International Leadership Academy (ILA) has brought young people from Fort Worth’s sister cities to the area to discuss pressing global issues.  This year, over 100 participants will converge at TCU July 13-28 to share their cultures and learn about leadership. Students from Fort Worth, Italy, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Swaziland, and Indonesia  will be in Fort Worth for this two week program.  The Academy’s goal is to increase  communication and leadership skills through teambuilding, problem-solving, and sharing cultures.

The closing ceremonies take place on July 27th, 10:00 a.m. at TCU’s Ed Landreth Auditorium.  The ILA Class of 2013 will demonstrate what they have accomplished during the Academy in an elaborate performance.  The ceremony is free and open to the public. This year also marks the 9^th year of ILA’s middle school program, Jr. International Leadership   Academy (JILA) held at McLean 6th Grade campus July 8-12.  College students from Toluca, Mexico will serve as facilitators, as the Fort Worth students discuss the same issues as their high school counterparts.  The students will experience cultural presentations and interaction with high school students from Reggio Emilia, Italy; Trier, Germany; and Mbabane, Swaziland gaining an international education. “These students will be challenged to improve and refine their leadership skills and learn how    diverse cultures can support common goals.  It’s a tremendous opportunity for personal growth,” said Nancy Marchant, ILA and JILA Coordinator.

Fort Worth, TX – Students to Japan to represent U.S. as goodwill ambassadors

Since 1990, The Harashin Co. of Nagaoka, Japan has funded scholarships for eight Fort Worth students and two teachers to travel there for an educational and cultural enrichment exchanges. In return, the families of these Fort Worth students host students and teachers from Nagaoka in their homes for a reciprocal exchange. This program and all the scholarships have been funded by the Hara family and Harashin Co. Ltd. of Nagaoka. Exchange programs are a key element in the overall programs of Fort Worth Sister Cities and this unique opportunity for Fort Worth students is no exception. The students depart July 28–August 6^th for a week long exchange and the Japanese students will arrive in Fort Worth the following week. Exchanges with each of Fort Worth’s eight sister cities provide youth the opportunity to spend 9-15 days with an international host family and experience the local history, culture and customs. This is done as citizen diplomats and gives students a better understanding of other cultures providing them an international education only these programs can offer. All student applicants (8-12th) participate in a vigorous selection process including teacher     recommendations, essays and personal interviews. The Harashin scholars are required to attend monthly cultural orientations to further enrich their international experience and prepare them for the exchange. Harashin scholars include: Helen Brose, Meredith Johnston, Bailey Jones, Elise Lahoud, Nancy Martinez, Ricky Rodriguez, Sanish Shrestha, and Samuel Whiting,  accompanied by delegation leaders Lorraine Bretthauer and Jaime Morris.

Fort Worth Sister Cities International has partnered with Blue Bridge International for the 2^nd year and is welcoming an international intern from Nanjing, China to work on various international programs in our office July 22-August 16. Ms. Ring Tu just completed her Master’s degree in Media Management in the school of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University. She is home hosted by volunteers with the Blue Bridge International program in Fort Worth.  Blue Bridge International is a student and professional cross cultural leadership development organization that provides programs designed for personal growth and development. Their  mission is to foster opportunity for this level of interchange through programs that are not focused on resume building or sight-seeing, but rather that challenge us to personally contribute to the positive change that occurs when we give, receive, learn, and develop friendships. We are excited to welcome her to our team.