News Summary
Three students from St. Petersburg have been chosen as 2025 Student Ambassadors for a summer exchange program with Takamatsu, Japan. They will engage in cultural activities, attend high school, and present about their hometown, fostering understanding between the cities. This longstanding sister city relationship has been promoting cultural connections since 1988, enhancing international awareness through youth engagement and educational exchanges.
St. Petersburg Students Selected as Ambassadors for Summer Exchange Program in Takamatsu, Japan
Three students from St. Petersburg have been selected as 2025 Student Ambassadors for a summer exchange program with Takamatsu, Japan. The chosen ambassadors are Rachel Eeten from Osceola Fundamental High School, Jared Jackson from Lakewood High School Center for Advanced Technologies, and Jayda Parkes-Quarrie from St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. They will be participating in a cultural exchange that showcases the long-standing relationship between the two cities.
The exchange program will allow the students to swap cities and experience life in each other’s homes for nearly two weeks this summer. During their stay in Takamatsu, the students will engage in a variety of cultural enrichment activities, such as attending high school for two days and visiting important cultural sites. Additionally, they will present about St. Petersburg to local leaders in Japan, fostering a deeper understanding of their hometown.
Long-Standing Sister City Relationship
The tradition of student exchange between St. Petersburg and Takamatsu began in 1988 and has been actively promoting cultural connections for 37 years. The cities have maintained a Sister City relationship since 1961, focusing on cultural exchanges and initiatives that benefit both communities. St. Petersburg and Takamatsu share similarities in climate and size, along with facing comparable coastal challenges, further enhancing their partnership through this program.
Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has expressed pride in the ongoing relationship with Takamatsu, emphasizing the exchange program’s importance in fostering cultural understanding. The student ambassador program aims to expand cultural awareness and appreciation among young people, a sentiment echoed by local leaders. The selection process for this year’s program was competitive, with over a dozen students from various local high schools applying for the honorable ambassador roles.
Experiencing a New Culture
Students participating in the program will have a unique opportunity to engage with a different culture and way of life. Jayda Parkes-Quarrie has shared excitement about the chance to broaden her horizons and experience the rich traditions of Japan. Through their experiences, the ambassadors will not only learn about Japanese culture but also share aspects of their own community, enhancing the mutual understanding between both nations.
Ongoing Cultural Exchanges
The student exchange program is part of a broader approach to maintain cultural ties between St. Petersburg and Takamatsu. In addition to the ambassador program, there are ongoing arts initiatives such as the Artlink project between Creative Clay and Heartlink that promote artistic collaboration and cultural sharing between the two cities.
This exchange marks another chapter in the long history of friendship between St. Petersburg and Takamatsu, fostering new connections and reinforcing existing bonds through shared experiences and cultural appreciation. The involvement of students as ambassadors emphasizes the importance of youth engagement in international understanding, creating lasting relationships that extend beyond borders.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: Student Ambassadors to Japan
- Fox 13 News: St. Pete Students heading to Japan
- ILoveTheBurg: Takamatsu Sister City
- St. Pete Catalyst: International Sister City Program
- TBN Weekly: St. Petersburg and Takamatsu Relationship
- Wikipedia: Sister City
- Google Search: St. Petersburg Takamatsu exchange program
- Google Scholar: Student Exchange Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Student Exchange
- Google News: St. Petersburg Takamatsu exchange
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
