Phoenix Sister Cities will not be accepting applications for the 2021 Youth Ambassador Exchange Program. All youth selected for the 2020 program have been offered a place in the 2021 program. We look forward to seeing your application in fall 2021!
Do you want to travel and make friends around the world? Are you looking for an adventure this summer?
High school sophomores and juniors living in Phoenix can spend a year serving as a Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador! Each Youth Ambassador will spend two to three weeks abroad during June, living with an international teenager and their family, and becoming fully immersed in the culture of one of our sister cities.
In July, the international counterparts travel to Phoenix to spend three weeks living with the Youth Ambassador and their family. Throughout the month, both the Phoenix and International Youth Ambassadors will participate in trips and activities to highlight Phoenix culture and international relationships, including a trip to the Grand Canyon, meeting the Mayor of Phoenix, and enjoying an American Holidays party and prom.
By being a part of the Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, students become part of global community, learn about different cultures, make great friends from around the world, and participate in a life-changing experience!
What are you waiting for? Where will you go?
All dates on the program calendar are required for Youth Ambassadors.
City and Counterpart Selection
City assignments are made when finalist are selected and are announced at a ceremony, which takes place approximately 2 weeks after selection. The selection panel puts significant time and energy into choosing the best city for each ambassador.
Ambassadors are paired with their international counterparts in the spring before they travel abroad. Pairs are introduced about a month before departures begin.
Training
Throughout the spring, Ambassadors are required to attend three training sessions called “Academy Sessions.” At these sessions, Ambassadors learn from alumni, volunteers, committee members, and professionals on topics ranging from culture shock to social media professionalism to protocol gifts.
Fundraisers
Ambassadors are required to participate in two fundraisers during the spring that fund activities in Phoenix in July. Ambassadors and their families are not required to donate funds to these fundraisers, but are required to support fundraising efforts.
Committee Meetings
Prior to their departure, Youth Ambassadors are asked to attend the Phoenix Sister Cities committee meetings for the city to which they are traveling. Learn more about our city committees here.
Travel Abroad
During June, Ambassadors will spend 2-3 weeks in their assigned sister city. They travel with a cohort of 2-5 Youth Ambassadors, but are not accompanied by program staff. Youth Ambassadors are home-hosted by their counterpart’s family and learn about local culture, government, holidays, foods, and activities.
Phoenix Hosting Calendar
Youth Ambassador families host their teenager’s foreign counterpart for approximately 3 weeks in July. During this time, Phoenix Sister Cities hosts a series of activities to introduce the international ambassadors and their Phoenix counterparts to Phoenix, Arizona, and the United States. Activities typically occur on weekdays, with weekends free for families to enjoy together. All activities are mandatory for Youth Ambassadors and their counterparts.
All Youth Ambassadors and parents/guardians are required to enter a contractual agreement upon being selected for the program. Please review the agreements to fully understand the requirements associated with the YAEP.
YAEP Code of Conduct and Contracts
Each selected Youth Ambassador is responsible for obtaining a valid passport and must provide a copy of his/her passport to the Phoenix Sister Cities office. Staff make arrangements for visas if required. The Maricopa County Passport Office is located at 601 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, (602) 506-6350.
Please review the 2020 Program Calendar prior to starting your application and ensure you can commit to all listed dates.
Are you eligible? Applicant must be…
What you will have to do:
What you need to apply:
An Application Preview Document is available to help you prepare your responses prior to submitting the application.
Video Response
You will be responding to the following question in a video:
“You are going to be on your own in another country. Your ability to adapt will be tested. Describe in detail a situation or occurrence in your life in which you needed to adapt dramatically in order to succeed in an unfamiliar environment. How did you approach this challenge and what were the results? What did you learn about yourself in the process?”
Videos should be no longer than 2 minutes.
Creativity is encouraged, but you do not need a professional-quality video. Please upload the video to Youtube or Vimeo and make sure the video is public. You will be asked in the online application to share the link to your video.
Tips: plan your response in advance, practice, and show your personality!
Nomination Form
A nomination form (recommendation form) is required from a teacher, coach, counselor, group leader, etc. They must complete the form provided, recommendation letters are not accepted. Nomination forms will be sent directly from the teacher to Phoenix Sister Cities at april.cavaletto@phoenix.gov. Nomination forms are due the same day as applications.
Saving Your Application
To save your work on your application and return to it later, you must complete the page you are working on and then exit out of the application window. If you return to the page on the same computer you originally used, you will be able to continue your previous work.
Phoenix Sister Cities will not be accepting applications the 2021 Youth Ambassador Exchange Program. All youth selected for the 2020 program have been offered a place in the 2021 program. We look forward to seeing your application in fall 2021!
To continue working on your application, return to the URL using the same computer. Before navigating away from the page, click “next” to save your work on the current page.
Are you ready to apply? Have you:
Each Youth Ambassador is expected to pay a $325 partially-refundable deposit that covers training costs and a Phoenix Sister Cities family membership. The deposit is due shortly after the Announcement Ceremony in February. $100 is refunded after the completion of a school presentation in the fall.
Travel expenses to and from the selected sister city and health insurance will be coordinated by Phoenix Sister Cities and paid by the Youth Ambassador and his/her family. Costs vary by city. Families will be invoiced as travel arrangements are completed.
Need-based scholarships are available to offset costs. See the scholarship section of this website for more information.
You should also budget for additional costs while abroad (souvenirs, meals out, activities, etc.) and during the hosting calendar in Phoenix (gas costs, activities outside the program, etc.). These additional costs will vary depending on your lifestyle.
Full and partial scholarships are available based on financial need on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships cover a percentage or the entirety of the cost of airfare, insurance, and the initial deposit. Completion of the scholarship application does not guarantee financial aid. Scholarship applicants will be informed if they receive a scholarship upon acceptance to the program.
To apply for a scholarship, complete the optional last page of the application. You will then be instructed to submit a copy of your family’s most-recently filed federal income tax return. These are free to request and can be requested online at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript or at any IRS office. Transcripts must be submitted in hard-copy and can be mailed or hand-delivered to:
Phoenix Sister Cities
ATTN: YAEP
200 W Washington St, 20th Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Transcripts are due to Phoenix Sister Cities by February 21, 2019.
The health and safety of our communities – in Phoenix and around the globe – is of utmost importance. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Youth Ambassador Exchange Program has been suspended. All youth accepted into the 2020 program have been offered a place in next year’s program. We look forward to the 2021 Youth Ambassador Exchange Program!
Past Participants
Former Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors are invited to participate in year-round activities to stay involved with the program, share their passion for building international relationships, and reconnect with other alumni. Opportunities are available for alumni of all ages.
Alumni Association
The Youth Ambassador Alumni Association meets monthly throughout the school year. Elected officers lead the Alumni Association in completing an annual service project, supporting the current Youth Ambassadors, and hosting networking events.
Volunteering
YAEP alumni are key to the success of the Youth Ambassador Exchange Program. Alumni support the program throughout the year and can volunteer with recruitment, the selection process, lock-in, and academy sessions. Alumni are also invited to act as mentors or to share their YAEP story with groups.
Phoenix Sister Cities Committees
Alumni are encouraged to be involved with our City Committees. City Committees meet on a monthly schedule. More information on the City Committees can be found here.
Are you a YAEP alumni looking to get involved? Email April.cavaletto@phoenix.gov to get more information!