News Release
Application Deadline Nears for 2019 St. Petersburg Japanese Cultural Exchange Program
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (November 26, 2018) – St. Petersburg’s annual summer Sister City cultural exchange program is looking for local students interested in serving as Student Ambassadors in Takamatsu, Japan.
Prospective Student Ambassadors must reside in St. Petersburg and be currently enrolled as a high school junior. Along with the application, students must submit:
- An original essay
- A class photo
- A high school transcript listing honors and activities
- Two reference letters, including one from a school faculty member
- Two letters of introduction to the prospective host family, one written by the student and one from the parent
All eligible students are encouraged to apply. Completed applications must be received by 3 pm, Thursday, February 14, 2019 to the SPIFFS office, either mailed to St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society Inc., Attention: Lotta Baumann, 330 Fifth Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, or hand-delivered to St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, Inc., 559 Mirror Lake Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Those chosen to serve as Student Ambassadors will live with a Takamatsu host family, attend high school, sightsee and share cultural experiences about life in the United States. Former Ambassadors have used the visits to further their cultural education by studying international relations, international business or Japanese studies. For more information on the Student Ambassador program and the application, visit www.stpete.org/arts_and_culture/student_ambassadors.php or contact Lotta Baumann at SPIFFS, 727-552-1896 or folkfair@ij.net.