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Encinitas hosts students from Amakusa in annual Sister City youth exchange
Summary
Encinitas welcomed six student delegates and two adults from Amakusa, Japan, July 29–Aug. 4 as part of a youth-focused Sister City exchange that organizers say has run since 1988; host families and local businesses donated activities and supplies, and participants remain in ongoing contact.
Nicole White, the city supervisor who coordinates Encinitas’ Sister City program, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Oct. 21 that the program — begun in 1988 — is a youth-centered cultural exchange that alternates sending Encinitas high school delegates to Amakusa, Japan, and hosting Amakusa delegates in Encinitas.
"Last year, we sent three high school age delegates to Amakusa, and this year we received six youth delegates from Japan and two adults," White said, thanking the Sister City Committee, host families and local businesses for donations that included backpacks, sunscreen and activity support. She listed participating businesses and organizations that provided activities ranging from surf lessons to a Padres ballpark visit.
Samantha Merrick, a local youth commissioner who hosted one delegate, described the week as both "fun and meaningful," saying hosting gave local students a chance to act as cultural ambassadors and to see their city through guests’ eyes. Merrick read a translated message from a delegate’s mother expressing gratitude and saying the child wished she could have stayed longer.
White said the selection process aims to build a multi-year exchange: delegates are chosen from 9th and 10th graders who are Encinitas residents, apply by essay and interview, and are expected to host a delegate the following year. Committee outreach includes contacting schools and Japanese-language teachers; White said there is continuing communication between host families and past delegates.
Commissioners asked about funding and donations; White said the city historically covers sending three youth and an adult chaperone at no cost and that the committee can accept donations. She said the ad hoc committee will discuss fundraising options at its January meeting.
The commission expressed appreciation for the work of volunteers and businesses and for the apparent ongoing relationships between youth hosts and delegates. No formal action was taken; the presentation was received and staff were asked to share the presentation materials with commissioners.
