Most came to Arizona to improve their English skills. All are here to learn about America, and meet real Americans. While here they will be mostly learning about Scottsdale”

Max Rumbaugh

As a tourist destination, Scottsdale must insure that visitors have a memorable experience while here. The city’s reputation is a key to its continued success.

Over a recent weekend, members of the Junior Board of Scottsdale Sister Cities organized a Halloween party for foreign students attending six Scottsdale area schools. They are in Scottsdale from Japan, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Slovakia and Italy.

Most of the students are here for a year-long student exchange. They live with host families and attend a full-class schedule at their high school. Most came to Arizona to improve their English skills. All are here to learn about America, and meet real Americans. While here they will be mostly learning about Scottsdale.

At the end of a year (sometimes only one semester) they will return to their home country to continue their studies. They will share their experiences with a hundred or more of their family members and friends.

If their impressions of Scottsdale and Arizona are good, then positive messages are spread in their home towns. If they felt welcome they will want to return here and bring their family with them.

Should they find Scottsdale residents to be friendly; their trip here will build goodwill between America and their home. As they become fluent in English, the world will become smaller. No matter what their experience, they will carry it will them for the rest of their lives.
The party was held at Arcadia High School.

The international students came to Scottsdale speaking eight different languages, but at the party they were united in their use of English. No matter their level of English all the foreign students had fun meeting each other and a cross section of Scottsdale students.

They enjoyed getting an early introduction to the American Halloween. All relished the apples, trick or treat candy, and pumpkin pie, as well as some international foods brought by the foreign students. They talked and played games which encouraged them to relax and get acquainted.

As the student from Spain said after the party, “my charter school has very few foreign students, and I was able to meet so many diverse new friends at the party.”

The Junior Board of Scottsdale Sister Cities is composed of eighteen leaders from six high schools in the Scottsdale area. Their purpose is to improve their international awareness and knowhow. They are committed to being youth ambassadors for Scottsdale and their schools.

Other annual activities of the Junior Board include the conduct of leadership training for SUSD International Club leaders, hosting the US Department of State Diplomat in Residence, raising funds for school equipment for needy overseas students, and exploring the cultures of other countries.

Over the weekend, they succeeded in spreading goodwill with Scottsdale’s foreign student visitors.

Go to: scottsdalesistercities.com.

Editor’s note: Mr. Rumbaugh is a resident of Scottsdale and community advocate