Fort Worth ISD Students Visit Japan As Part of Fort Worth Sister Cities International Exchange

Six students from 4 FWISD high schools are among those on the trip

Six Fort Worth ISD students are among those in Japan this summer, part of a delegation sponsored by Fort Worth Sister Cities International.  

They are: Blaine Edwards, Southwest High School; Mariley Grissom and Alison Strickland, Paschal High School; Brian Loredo, South Hills High School; and Meagan Moses and Katherine Super, Arlington Heights High School.

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 departed July 26th 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.

The mission of Fort Worth Sister Cities International is to advance peace through lasting relationships and international understanding. Since 1985 Sister Cities has managed the international programs and relationships with Fort Worth’s sister cities Reggio Emilia, Italy; Trier, Germany; Nagaoka, Japan; Bandung, Indonesia; Budapest, Hungary; Toluca, Mexico; Mbabane, Swaziland; and soon to be Guiyang, China  to promote citizen diplomacy as a pathway to peace.