to brochure

Yes, our family wants to know more about the
Sister Cities Foundation student exchange
program with Hermosillo, Mexico.
Student Name
School
Grade in spring 2006
Parent or Guardian
Address
Phone
Please return to:
Irvine Sister Cities Foundation
City Manager’s Office
1 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 19575
Irvine, CA 92623-9575
(949) 724-6254
Email: sistercities@ci.irvine.ca.us
Email
Irvine Sister Cities Foundation
City Manager’s Office
1 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 19575
Irvine, CA 92623-9575
Alternate Phone
Irvine Sister Cities Foundation Youth Exchange Program
H
ave you ever
wondered what it
would be like to
live in another country?
Well, here’s your chance to find out! Each year,
the Irvine Sister Cities Foundation selects a group
of Irvine middle school students to participate in a
youth exchange program with students from Irvine’s
Sister City of Hermosillo, Mexico.
During the 10- to 12-day program, Irvine participants will travel to Hermosillo, where they will stay
in the homes of their selected host families, attend
daily classes at Colegio Larrea, a private institute of
learning, and experience a variety of traditional cuisine, local culture and customs.
Approximately a month after returning, Irvine students will host their Hermosillo counterparts for a
seven-day home stay where they will attend school,
participate in field trips and experience life in the
United States.
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Space is limited and students are encouraged
to apply early.
Informational Meeting
A parent/student informational meeting is held each
year, usually February, at the Irvine Civic Center,
located at 1 Civic Center Plaza. All interested students and family members are encouraged to attend.
The meeting will cover trip itinerary, associated
costs, and feature former exchange students who will
share their experiences and answer questions. All
Irvine middle school students, including students of
IUSD, private schools, and home-schooled children,
are eligible to participate.
Cost
Participant’s families must cover the cost of airfare
(approximately $500) and travel insurance (approximately $20) as well as any costs for souvenirs or other
incidentals. Host families in Mexico will provide
food, housing, transportation, and admission charges
to entertainment and other venues. Likewise, Irvine
families are responsible for food, housing, transportation, and entertainment costs for their child as well as
the exchange student they host in their home (costs
vary depending on the itinerary developed each year,
but usually average around $200.)
Hermosillo, Mexico
Hermosillo, capital of
the state of Sonora, is
about 250 miles south of
Tucson, Ariz. Originally,
Hermosillo was the site
of a Pima Indian settlement called Pitic. With
a population of 750,000, the region maintains a
strong agriculture and ranching industry. Because of
its nearby sandy beaches at Kino Bay, Hermosillo
is also developing its tourism industry. The city
of Hermosillo itself is home to both light and heavy
industrial development, and the center for commerce
in the state of Sonora. Hermosillo is also Sonora’s
academic and research center. Additional information
about the City of Hermosillo can be found at
www.hermosillo.gob.mx
“Been There, Done That” - Testimonials
“My experience in Hermosillo was fabulous. Every
day we did something new and exciting.”
“I wish everyone could have the same experience I
had, because it was a wonderful adventure.”
•
“In Hermosillo, I found new courage
to try different things and I met new
friends.”
“By the end of the week, I felt I improved my
Spanish 100% and I also got a feel of life in another country.”
•
“I met people from a different culture
that I will hopefully stay in touch with
for the rest of my life.”