Sister City Youth Exchange
International Culture 4-H Club
Thank you for your interest in the Fort Dodge Sister City Youth Exchange. Our program is in a transition year and we are looking for two groups of students.
Students who will be 16-17 years old August of 2019 could have the opportunity to travel to Kosovo and participate in Camp TOKA and a Sister City visit in Gjakova, Kosovo. Camp TOKA is located in National Park Germia-Youth Recreation Center near Prishtina, Kosovo.
Students who are 14-16 could be selected to first host our Kosovo Sister City Youth as they travel to visit us in Iowa. The second year of participation, this same group, will be traveling to Kosovo to participate in Camp TOKA and the Sister City visit.
Four students are able to travel to Kosovo each year, therefore we will be choosing five (4 plus 1 alternate) 16-17 year olds and six (4 plus 2 alternates) 14-16 year olds.
In the event the opportunity doesn’t work for one of the four who are scheduled to travel that year an alternate will take their place. Alternates are expected to participate in all activities and opportunities.
Why is Fort Dodge involved with Kosovo?
Purpose of Camp:
This camp, similar to the 4-H model, is an international camp located in Kosovo. Kosovo and the State of Iowa have an exciting history, and by applying for this opportunity you will now become a part of it!
As you may know, the Iowa National Guard was partnered with the Kosovo Security Force in 2011. Soon after that the City of Johnston signed a sister city agreement with Peja, Kosovo. In 2013, Governor Branstad signed the sister state agreement between Iowa and Kosovo. Most recently, in 2016, the City of Fort Dodge signed a sister city agreement with Gjakova, Kosovo. Also in 2016, Kosovo opened Iowa’s first foreign diplomatic office in Des Moines.
At this camp you will join others from Johnston, along with students from Ft. Dodge. At the camp you will also meet up with students from Peja and Gajakova as well as students from around the world.
Requirements:
Submit an application with a 1 min video; letters of recommendation are encouraged. Email video and recommendations to jhays@fdschools.org
You must have a passport, or able to get acquire a passport as soon as possible. (Passport costs are to be paid by the student) There is not a visa required for U.S. citizens traveling to Kosovo.
Participate in fundraising efforts.
Give at least 1 presentation on your trip to Kosovo to a group in Iowa after you have returned. We will look to you as an ambassador of the program and hope you will continue to help grow the program.
Register and Participate in the International Culture 4-H Club
Participate in all activities leading up to and after the Sister City Youth Exchange, in relation to the Exchange.
Cost
We do not want cost to be a barrier for anyone who wants this opportunity. We encourage ALL interested students, to apply. Students will participate in fundraising efforts to make this possible. Students and families will be responsible for the cost of their student’s passport. Students must provide their own spending money for souvenirs.
Timeline:
Applications are due on October 8th, 2018. Apply at bit.ly/FD-Kosovo Participants will be notified of acceptance around October 10th.
Questions?
Please contact Jolene Hays at FDSH Counseling at jhays@fdschools.org
About Us
Email: jhays@fdschools.org
Location: Fort Dodge, Iowa
Phone: 515-574-5444
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1758636407777918/?ref=br_rs