Applications are now available for the Bi-annual Student Exchange with Interlaken, Switzerland.  Please give the applications to your International Club Advisors at your respective school by Oct. 18th.  The trip will be from Oct. 8-22, 2011, which is fall break plus one week.  The program is an leadership opportunity to become an Ambassador for Scottsdale sharing our culture and learn about another culture.  Four finalists will be selected from each school to begin the leadership program, with three students from each school finally selected for the trip. Interviews will begin the week of Oct. 23rd.

Application Requirements:  Each applicant must be a U.S. citizen, live in Scottsdale or attend a Scottsdale school, be a current sophomore or junior in high school, be in good health (and, upon request, be able to supply a doctor's statement of verification) and commit to live in Scottsdale for the 2011-2012 school year.  Applicants must be a member of Scottsdale Sister Cities Association and International Club at their respective school.

Applications:  Applications are available from the International Club Sponsors at Saguaro, Chaparral, Coronado, Desert Mountain and Notre Dame Preparatory.  In addition, the application is available through the link listed at the bottom of this page.  Completed applications must be received no later than 2:30 p.m., October 8, 2010.

Deliver to:

• Ms. Kathryn Ellefsen/Ms. Becky Evans/– Saguaro High School
• Ms. Faith Harris– Chaparral High School
• Dr. Yvonne Pasek/Mrs. Florence Richardson – Coronado High School
• Ms. Adrienne Jones – Notre Dame Preparatory School
• Ms. Anne Marie DuFour – Desert Mountain High School
• Ms. Mary Walther – Arcadia High School 

Or mail by Oct. 8th  to Max Rumbaugh, c/o Scottsdale Sister Cities Association, 3295 N. Drinkwater Blvd # 9, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Due Date: Completed applications must be received no later than 2:50 p.m.,  Friday, Oct. 8, 2010

Selection Process: All applicants will participate in one group interview and an individual interviews conducted by the Student Exchange Selection Committee in late October.  Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the interview times.  Applicants will also be required to attend one meeting with their parents, and informational meetings once every month for one year to learn educational information about Scottsdale and Interlaken, to fulfill the role of an ambassador and student leader, and to learn some German.  These meetings are the first Sunday afternoon of each month.  Final selection of eligible candidates will be made in December.

Travel and Hosting Dates:  Scottsdale students will travel to Interlaken, Switzerland during fall break of 2011 and the following week, Oct. 8-23, 2011.  They will stay with a host family for the entire two weeks, attending school at the Gymnasium, Interlaken in their English Immersion program and explore other cultural and educational sites in Switzerland.  The student will act as an Ambassador of Scottsdale, and will reciprocate hosting in April of 2012 for about two weeks (dates yet to be determined.)

Cost:  The student will be responsible for the cost of the trip which will include air fare and two week Swiss Rail Pass.  All of the living and transportation costs while there will be covered by the program.  The previous trip cost each student about $1200.  We are again seeking approval for Tax Credits to be used for a portion of this expense (TBD.)  Also, scholarship money is being sought for students with financial need by Scottsdale Sister Cities.

Special Notes: The SSCA Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to revoke the selection of any delegates prior to departure and also to determine the need for an early return to Scottsdale of any delegate at their parent's expense, due to any behavior deemed by SSCA as misconduct.

Passports:  Obtaining a passport and any visas required is the responsibility of the delegate and his/her family. The passport must be received prior to March 1, 201. It is recommended that delegates apply immediately following their selection.

Please refer any questions to Max Rumbaugh (max-r@earthlink.net) or Lisa White (lisaewhite@yahoo.com.)