Friendship Force of Southern Oregon awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the Medford Alba Sister City Association. High school students from Medford, Oregon and Alba, Italy have been participating in exchanges for the past 40 years. In March of 2025, 16 Medford high school students and 2 chaperones traveled to Alba, Italy to participate in the latest exchange. They experienced a new culture by spending 2 weeks living with Alba host families and getting to know the Alba students. The exchange program is more than just an opportunity to study in another country, it’s a chance to build real connections in a divided world. By living with a host family, students don’t just observe a new culture, they become part of it. Sharing daily life with an Italian “sibling” offers a deeper, more person understanding of traditions, values, and perspectives that no classroom can provide. These experiences foster empathy, global awareness, and lifelong friendships, proving that despite our differences, we have more in common than we might think.
The awarding of student scholarships provides our club with positive publicity, as well as promoting the important mission of Friendship Force.