Youth Ambassador Exchange | Phoenix Sister Cities

Program Overview

Do you want to become part of a global community, learn about different cultures, and make friends around the world!?

High school sophomores and juniors living in Phoenix can spend a year serving as a Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador! Pandemic permitting 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 develop global and cultural awareness, build leadership skills, create international connections and participate in a life-changing experience!

YAEP 2021 Overview Packet

Program Information

The Youth Ambassador Exchange Program is an immersive cultural experience for high school sophomores and juniors. Students will spend a year serving as youth ambassadors where they will engage in a multitude of events and activities to build global proficiency.

Pandemic permitting, they will have the opportunity to spend 2-3 weeks abroad in the sister city they are paired with. They will then host their foreign counterpart in Arizona for 2-3 weeks.

Sister City and Counterpart Selection

City assignments are made when finalist are selected and are announced at a ceremony that 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 attend three “Academy Sessions.” At these sessions, Ambassadors receive training from alumni, volunteers, committee members, and professionals on topics ranging from culture shock to social media professionalism to diplomacy and cross cultural communication.

Fundraisers

Ambassadors are required to participate in two fundraisers during the spring that help fund July hosting activities in Phoenix. Ambassadors and their families are not required to donate funds to these fundraisers, but are asked to support fundraising efforts.

Committee Meetings

Prior to their departure, Youth Ambassadors must attend the Phoenix Sister Cities committee meetings for the sister city to which they are traveling. Learn more about our city committees here.

Travel Abroad

Pandemic permitting, 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 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.

Youth Ambassador Responsibilities

– Attend all program dates in Phoenix.
– Fundraise for July activities.
– Obey all laws of the United Sates and the host country.
– Be sensitive to cultural differences and not offend the religions, customs or politics of their host country.
– Assume the responsibilities of a family member while abroad.
– Participate in as many activities as possible to learn about life in that community.
– Act as hosts to their international counterpart during July.
– Stay involved with Phoenix Sister Cities for a full year.

Parent Responsibilities

– Support their child’s selection as a Youth Ambassador.
– Support their child’s training and fundraising efforts.
– Attend the first Academy Session.
– Attend the Parent Meeting in June.
– Host a foreign Youth Ambassador for three weeks during July and welcome this teenager into your family.

Contracts

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

Passports

Each selected Youth Ambassador is responsible for obtaining a valid passport and must provide a copy of their 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.

How to Apply

Please review the 2022 Program Calendar prior to starting your application and ensure you can commit to all listed dates.

All dates on the program calendar are required for Youth Ambassadors.

YAEP 2022 Calendar

Meet Alumni and get help on your 2022 Application at the Phoenix Sister Cities’ Youth Ambassador Exchange Program virtual Alumni Mixer & Application Workshop on Tuesday, November 30th at 6pm! RSVP Here.

Are you eligible? Applicant must be:

– A U.S. citizen and eligible for a passport.
– A resident of a Phoenix City Council District (find your district here).
– A sophomore or junior in high school at the time of application.
– Able to participate in the group and individual interviews during the specified dates and ALL scheduled program dates.
– Willing to serve as a Youth Ambassador for any of Phoenix’s 10 Sister Cities.
– Able to obtain a passport prior to summer 2022.

What you will have to do:

– Participate in all scheduled program activities, including pre-departure meetings and cultural orientations.
– Participate in program-directed fundraising efforts.
– Be willing to host a visiting Youth Ambassador from the city visited.
– Participate in all activities upon return to Phoenix in July.
– Be willing to promote the Youth Ambassador Exchange Program and commit a full year to Phoenix Sister Cities activities.
– Family members 18+ years of age must consent to a background check.

What you need to apply:

– Headshot
– Video response
– Online application
– Informational questions
– 3 short-answer questions
– 3 essay questions (100-300 words each)
– Parent Question
– Optional scholarship application
– Teacher/Coach/Counselor Nomination form

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.

Tip: 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. Nomination forms are due the same day as applications.

Nomination Form

Application

Applications are now being accepted for YAEP 2022:

Apply Here: YAEP 2022 Application

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.

Are you ready to apply? Have you:

– Attended a Preview Night Event?
– Read through the Application Preview Document?
– Created a video response and uploaded it to Youtube or Vimeo?
– Written answers for the 3 essay questions?
– Received a paragraph from one of your parents for the parent question?
– Talked to your parents about what you are open to for hosting? (opposite-sex, smoker, etc.)
– Figured out who you will ask for a nomination and given them the nomination form ?
-Signed the Application Signature Pages
– Collected your parent’s 2020 income information (for scholarship applicants)?
-Signed the Scholarship Signature Page (for scholarship applicants)?

Cost

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 their 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.

YAEP 2021 Estimated Expenses

Scholarships

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, 2022.

Meet the Ambassadors

2020 Youth Ambassadors

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 was suspended. All youth accepted into the 2020 program have been offered a place in next year’s program. We look forward to the 2022 Youth Ambassador Exchange Program!

Past Participants

2019 Ambassadors

2018 Ambassadors

2017 Ambassadors

Alumni

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 Marie.Raasch@phoenix.gov to get more information!