Applications are now being accepted for students desiring to participate in the 2020 student delegation that will travel to Hanamaki, Japan – Hot Springs’ sister city – for one week in early June.
Up to 10 students will be chosen to travel to Hanamaki as representatives of Hot Springs. They will visit schools and cultural landmarks, and homestay with area families. The students will also participate in Sister City Program activities throughout the year following their return.
Applications are available at www.cityhs.net/sister-city, and must be postmarked by December 21. Only complete applications will be considered. The program is open to Garland County residents in grades 8-11 at any Garland County school or homeschool. The approximate cost of the trip will be $2,500, plus the cost of a passport and other incidentals. Some scholarship assistance, based on financial need and merit, may be available.
“Three of my five children have participated in the Sister City Exchange. Each one of them returned from their trip in awe of the hospitality they were shown,” said Kathy Ballard, fourth-grade teacher at Lakeside Intermediate School. “They expanded their worlds and made connections and friends with which they still communicate.”
For information, contact Sister City Program Executive Director Mary Zunick at 501-545-6960.
Click here for the application