Student Exchange Program: The purpose of the Longmont Sister Cities Association’s Student Exchange Program is to provide an opportunity for Longmont students and families to develop cultural understanding with the people of Chino, Japan and Ciudad Guzman, Mexico through family living experiences.
Who is eligible to apply? Student applicants must reside in the St. Vrain Valley School District attendance area or attend school within the boundaries of the school district and must be currently enrolled in 8th – 11th grades. Students may attend public, private or charter schools or be home schooled. Students must also expect to live in the St. Vrain Valley School District area following their summer travel.
Cost: Travel costs to Japan are approximately $2,000, and $800 for Mexico per student. A program fee of $150 will be collected at the time of ambassador selection. Each ambassador will receive two organization shirts, 5 grocery gift cards, LSCA family membership and payment for all exchange activities (Water World, Rockies, horseback riding, etc.). This cost does not include an exchange t-shirt, passport fees, spending money or gifts. Costs may fluctuate depending on currency exchange rates and airfare at the time of travel. Parents, with the help of Sister Cities Board members, will develop fundraising opportunities for ambassadors in spring and early summer so that each ambassador can earn some of his/her own money for travel. All funds raised through the Sister Cities fundraisers must be used for Sister City activities. There should be a direct relationship between effort expended and reward. A strict accounting system will be established to record participation in fundraising. Financial aid may be available, and if so, will be granted based on financial need. Financial aid must be used for travel expenses. Applications for financial aid will be available upon student selection.
Selection Process: All applicants are required to attend an individual interview scheduled for both the applicant and a parent on Saturday, November 14. You will be contacted to select a time for your interview. You will need to bring with you to your interview a copy of your school attendance record. The interview panel will make the final selections, and student/parents will be informed of their status within one week of the individual interviews. The selected ambassadors and at least one parent will be expected to attend an orientation meeting scheduled forTuesday, November 17, 2015 for more specific information and to begin planning fundraising, training sessions and other activities.