City affiliations between the United States and other countries became a national effort when President Eisenhower proposed the People-to-People program at a White House Conference in 1956. To date, 800 American cities representing all 50 states have affiliated with 2,600 cities in 126 countries around the world. The objective of the program is to create goodwill and further international understanding at the community level on a continuing, long-term basis. It is not a movement to convert others to our democratic ideals, but rather a way to help learn about the people of other countries, their customs, their similarities as well as the differences, and help chart a better road to understanding in the world.

Introduction

The high school youth exchange program offers juniors in high school who reside in Gilbert or are a student in a Gilbert or Higley school, an opportunity to develop an understanding of different countries, their cultures and people. The high school delegates are chosen by a committee through a selection process, which includes group interviews, a series of  individual interviews and informal gatherings with both the students and their parents. The students that are selected from Gilbert will travel to our sister city for approximately three weeks. During their stay they will have a chance to closely experience a new culture and make lifelong friends by living with the family of their exchange "brother or sister." The home hosted experience makes it possible for the delegates to learn about their host cultures and customs in ways not available to a casual visitor. The Gilbert delegates will bring back a wealth of fascinating stories about their stay abroad, their contacts with the people and the precious experiences, which teach them lifelong lessons.

Download applications here:

- GSC.2008-application.doc

- Student Agreement

- Teacher Recommendation

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