Where do you travel?

• We currently travel to our four siter cities:

  • Gera, Germany

  • Plock, Poland

  • Taizhou, China

  • Takaoka, Japan

What is the length of an exchange?

• The exchange program contains two portions:

  • A one week Cultural Immersion Program touring the host country and possibly neighboring countries of the sister city. The program includes a full time guide who will introduce you to the country through linguistic, cultural, and gastronomic experiences.

  • A two week homestay with a host family in the sister city. During this time, the sister city and host family will host a variety of local experiences to allow you to immerse yourself in the culture of our sister city.

When do your exchanges take place?

• Out outgoing exchanges to our sister cities take place during the summer months of June and July. We attempt to travel at the conclusion of all participants’ school year.

• Incoming exchanges are planning to take place during the school year and are hosted by a local high school.

I want to study abroad, is Chapman the program for me?

• At this time, Fort Wayne Sister Cities does not offer study abroad opportunities. There are other local organizations that sponsor such exchanges in our community.

What are the qualifications to apply for the program?

• Current 10th and 11th grade high school student

• GPA of 2.5 or higher

• Strong Community Involvement

• Leadership Experience

• Interest in International Exchange

• Availability to travel in June or July of the Travel Year

• Current resident of Allen County, Indiana

What is the application process?

• Information is distributed to students at all Allen County High Schools in early Fall. Applications, essay, and letters of recommendation are due through our online application portal by mid October each year.

How many students are selected each year?

• Each host city has the capability of hosting between 4 and 6 students each exchange. We recruit between 8-12 students each year to travel to one of two sister cities.

What type of student are you looking for?

• The Chapman Student Exchange Program is open to high school students that are residents of Allen County, Indiana. Students are selected to interview based on the following criteria demonstrated through their application to the program: 2.5 GPA or higher, school/community involvement, appropriate age level maturity, three letters of recommendation.

What is the process for being selected?

• A half day group interview in which students participate in whole group and small group activities. Students are interviewed and observed by a panel of Fort Wayne Sister Cities Board Members, Chapman Committee Members, future/former chaperones, and affiliates.

What is the Summer 2025 Exchange timeline for applications?

• For the 2025 Summer travel opportunities, an initial application is due through our application portal by October 11, 2024.

• Applicants will be notified of intent to interview by November 1, 2024.

• Selected students will interview on November 24, 2024. Please note this is a group interview that will run from late morning through late afternoon. A light snack will be provided.

• Final selection status will be communicated by November 27, 2024.

• All selected applicants must submit a signed Traveler Acceptance Agreement and $100 non-refundable deposit by December 6, 2024.

• All applicants designated as alternates will be alerted to their travel status by December 31, 2024.

What is my investment for this opportunity?

• The Chapman Student Exchange Endowment pays for roughly two-thirds of the exchange program cost.

• All students are required to invest $800 personally in their program.

• Additionally, some meals may not be included in the program cost, this can be up to 12 meals.

• Snacks and souvenirs are not included in the programming cost.

• Students should have access to at minimum $300 in emergency funds. Students traveling to China should have access to $500 in emergency funds.

Is there financial aid?

• The Chapman Student Exchange program is heavily subsidized by the Chapman Student Exchange Endowment. Additional funds to cover programming beyond the sister city experience must be raised by the student and their family.

• Often students apply for local scholarships to help cover the program investment, food, and spending money. Information for these opportunities will be distributed to selected students.

When is the final payment due?

• The final payment for the programming is due by March 1, 2025.

What happens after I am selected?

• Students are required to attend five meetings as a travel group to prepare for international travel. The orientation meetings are held by the program chaperone and cover items from packing ideas to staying safe and healthy on travel.

Fort Wayne Sister Cities Gala Requirement

• We ask that all students volunteer at Fort Wayne Sister Cities International’s Gala during the travel year and the year directly following travel. This allows student travelers to share with our donors their exchange experience.

What documents are required to travel internationally?

• All applicants and travelers must obtain a valid passport permitting entry and travel to the country or countries to which the exchange is traveling by the required deadline. A valid passport must have an expiration date valid through January 1st of the year succeeding the anticipated travel year.

• Any student holding a non-US passport must schedule a passport and visa consultation with the Chapman Student Exchange Administrator within 30 days of acceptance into the program.

• All applicants and travelers for programs to Europe must have a valid passport and vaccinations for entry to all Schengen Area Countries.

What vaccinations are required to travel internationally?

• All applicants and travelers must be fully vaccinated to participate in our programming. Exceptions cannot be made due to the rapidly changing travel restrictions and guidelines. Proof of full required vaccination must be submitted to the Chapman Student Exchange Administrator no later than April 1st of the travel year.

• All applicants and travelers must obtain required testing and participate in quarantine/isolation for international travel as designated by the US Department of State and the country/countries of travel and exchange.

• Safety is our number one priority for both students and chaperones. We vet both travel programming and sister cities to ensure that our programming meets rigorous expectations set by our organization.

• We contract yearly with On Call International to provide pre and during travel safety and security reports. Through meetings with On Call International’s security specialists, we are able to determine the viability of programming and update our traveler preparation materials and trainings.

• On Call International also provides health, medical, travel, and security services to all of our exchange travelers.

End of program survey

• We ask that all students, parents, and chaperones provide our program with feedback in order to improve future programming.

Media Choice Project

• All traveling students are required to complete a media choice project to reflect and share their experience with the greater community.

• Students may choose from the following media formats: Blog, Video, Art, Creative Writing

Can I host my host brother or sister when they come to Fort Wayne?

• Due to logistics, we are unable to provide a reciprocal exchange experience.

• All of our incoming exchanges are programmed in partnership with a local high school. The local high school provides the host school experience and provides host families. This allows for a more integrated experience and a wider reach for the exchange participants.

• We do offer activities in which you can join your sister city brother or sister while they join us for their two-week exchange.