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Portsmouth Sister City committee hears alumnus praise homestay program
Summary
At its June 18 meeting the Portsmouth Sister City Committee read a letter from a Portsmouth High School alumnus who described homestays in Nichinan, Japan as "life changing" and urged continued student exchanges; the committee agreed to file the letter and share it with local school leaders.
At the June 18, 2026 meeting of the Portsmouth Sister City Committee, a committee member read a letter from a Portsmouth High School alumnus describing repeated homestays in Nichinan, Japan and urging that the student exchange program continue.
The letter, read aloud by Committee member (S1), recounted hosting Japanese students and visiting Nichinan as part of a delegation; the writer wrote the experience "was life changing for me," saying it opened their understanding of another culture and led to friendships they still maintain. The committee agreed the letter affirmed the value of the homestay program and should be placed on file.
Committee members discussed ways to keep the high-school connection active. Chair (S2) said the committee would share parts of the letter at the high-school graduation to highlight the program’s benefits. Members also recommended formally inviting the new Portsmouth High principal to a future meeting so the school and committee can coordinate exchange logistics.
The committee did not take formal action beyond agreeing to file the letter and to circulate it to school contacts and the mayor’s office for information.
