Parks & Recreation

Latest Sister Cities Program News

Student Exchange

Four Clearwater area students were recently selected to take part in the City of Clearwater's 2008 Summer Nagano Exchange Program. The students, who were selected by an interview process last December, are Megan Hayes and Katie Humberston from Countryside High School, Samantha Gray, who attends Osceola High School, and Rachel Canning from Clearwater High School. Ms. Judy Barrett, a Dunedin Middle School teacher who previously spent a year in Nagano with the Pinellas County School teacher exchange program, will accompany the students.

Once the students return to Clearwater, they will share their experiences with the City Council, Sister Cities, Inc., and other organizations around Clearwater. If you would like information about appying for the 2009 Summer trip, e-mail margo.walbolt@myclearwater.com.

"The men and women participating actively in the Sister City Program do more than talk about world understanding, they are contributing their ideas, resources and brotherhood to improve international understanding on a planet that grows smaller with each count-down." - Edward R. Murrow

Sister City - Nagano, Japan

Visit the Nagano City Web site

Background

Clearwater, Florida has enjoyed Sister City relations with Nagano, Japan since 1959 when Mayor Kurashima of Nagano came to the United States.  He was searching for a city with similar economic and community needs and wished to develop new friendships, ideas and business partnerships.

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, Japan

The ancient Zenkoji Temple located in Nagano, Japan and the beaches of Clearwater both attract large numbers of tourists each year.  Mayor Kurashima saw the great potential of a shared bond between the two cities.

The exchanges have grown through the years.  The current Mayor of Nagano, Mayor Shoichi Washizawa, is extremely committed to continuous interaction, which has resulted in cultural understanding, immeasurable friendships and the enhancement of the Sister City program.

The teacher and student exchanges have been the backbone of the Sister City Program.  Every year Nagano sends two teachers for a one month working visitation. The teachers are placed with volunteer homestay families and Pinellas County School System coordinates the school schedule.  Nagano also sends a group of middle school students and subsequently another group of high school students for one week of homestay and school visitation in Clearwater.

Clearwater Students in Nagano, Japan

The Pinellas School Board of Education teacher exchange program began in 1983.  Currently, two teachers are sent for one month in the summer to live with a homestay and teach English at several schools.  The student exchange program, initiated in 1990, comprises a group of four students and a teacher/chaperone. Their purpose is to attend middle schools, give presentations, interact with students and enjoy life with a homestay family. Students previously stayed in Nagano for one month.  Starting in 2005, the length of stay was changed to two weeks.

These mutually beneficial exchanges have had an extremely positive impact in promoting and nurturing cross-cultural relations in educational and community arenas. Long lasting friendships, deeper understanding and appreciation for our respective cultures are the bonds that connect our cities and make us one.

Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. Membership

Annual Membership in the Clearwater Sister City Organization is $15 per individual or $25 per family.  The organization promotes global friendship, communication and understanding through exchanges and activities. For more information, call Lois Sewell, (727) 726-0260, or download a membership application here.

Program Highlights

Photo Galleries

• Nagano Delegates Visit Clearwater, Spring 2005
• High School Students Visit Nagano, Summer 2005
• High School Students visit Nagano, Summer 2006
• High School Students visit Nagano, Summer 2007

Nagano Teachers to Clearwater in Oct. - Nov.

Clearwater hosts delegation from Japan – April 2005

Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. and the City of Clearwater welcomed a delegation of dignitaries and citizens from Nagano, Japan. The previous summer, fifty-three Clearwater representatives including City Council members, teachers, students and citizens visited Nagano to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Sister City relationship.

The reciprocal visit was a wonderful opportunity for Clearwater to host our international friends, show- off our Clearwater scenery, and display our Southern hospitality.  Discussions between the cities explored ways of increasing cultural, educational, business, and tourism exchanges.

Nagano High School and Middle School Students to Clearwater in February and March

Every year families in the Clearwater community open their homes to students from Japan. The students visit middle and high schools in Clearwater to teach students about their culture and experience education in America. On the students off days, the Clearwater families take them to the highlights in Clearwater: the beach, the marina, recreation centers and community parks.

In summer 2007, Lucy Feigel, Ben Popp, Zach Tranter and Joey Stokes, accompanied by teacher Stacie Little, spent two weeks teaching Japanese students about their experiences in America. The students volunteered for the city to fundraise for their trip.

Clearwater to Nagano in Summer

4 local High School Students + Chaperone to Nagano

Every summer Clearwater sends four High School students and one chaperone to participate in our cultural exchange with Japan. The four students are picked from a competitive pool of applicants and travel to Japan for a reasonable cost. The students stay with a screened homestay and spend two weeks immersed in Japanese culture. Activities include visiting local attractions, giving presentations at local schools and meeting the mayor of Nagano. If you or your child is interested in this program, please pick up an application from your high school's guidance, foreign language or social studies department. Or view our online announcement, flyer, and application.

Young Ambassadors Program

The Clearwater - Nagano Middle School Cultural Student Exchange Program began in 1999 and has sponsored exchange trips ever since. In 2004, in celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship, 45 students, teachers, and city officials went to Nagano.

Middle school students interested in a Summer cultural exchange experience should e-mail Marilyn Hall for more information, or call Richard Wisemiller at (727) 743-4518. The application and interview process typically occurs in December.

Since its inception, the program has taken over 60 students and their chaperones to Nagano, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo, Japan.

2007 Young Ambassadors