PEACE THROUGH PEOPLE, A Foreign Exchange Student Program, Sister Cities: Gastonia, NC; Gotha, Germany; Santiago de Surco, Peru
Over thirty years ago a thought emerged about increasing global cooperation at the municipal level. In 1990, then Mayor, James B. “Jick” Garland was approached by a local German businessman, Kurt Scholler, who suggested Gastonia get involved in the Sister Cities International Program. Mayor Garland contacted friend, Bill Lawson, to spearhead a citizens group for the purpose of establishing a local Sister Cities nonprofit organization. After a quick exploratory trip to Gotha, Germany in 1992, a Sisterhood was born and the rest is history! Gastonia now has two Sister Cities: Gotha, Germany, and Santiago de Surco, Peru.
Words like friendship, culture, community, and above all peace are the concepts defining the Sister Cities organization. How does it work, you ask? It is a collateral exchange program at the student and citizen levels. For our Gaston County students, sophomores and juniors apply and interview for the opportunity to travel. Once chosen, they spend two weeks in the summer exploring the culture alongside a local student and their host family. When fall comes around, the German and Peruvian students come to Gastonia to be hosted by their same American counterparts. Each year we get an opportunity to showcase our community to the youth from abroad, and celebrate Gastonia, NC – A Great Place, With Great People, Offering Great Promise.
Throughout the 34 years since inception of the Sister Cities program, the students, many who are grown adults and have children of their own, have stayed connected to their counterparts. As letters turned into emails, and now are social media conversations, the friendships and bonds that are discovered through this exchange lend a valuable lesson: What can be possible when our students are offered the opportunity of traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. Many alumni of the program’s experiences formed their career aspirations and connections, globalizing Gastonia, North Carolina. The relationship of the citizens in each city have been fortified since the early years as embodied in these stories I was lucky enough to hear firsthand. Former Mayor of Gastonia and founding staff director of Sister Cities, Jennie Stultz shares a powerful memory:
“I remember sitting at dinner with the former mayor, and we were both speaking through a translator. We were discussing how beautiful it was that we could be sitting here together, when our parents were generational enemies. How quickly it seemed times were changing and progress was being made. He agreed and shared that his father had been killed by American troops when he was only two weeks old. In a moment of sheer appreciation, I shared that my father had been in the Armed Forces and served in Germany during World War II. With a stunning weight and simultaneous elation, I asked him, ‘Wouldn’t our fathers be proud to see us sitting here as friends today?’ He agreed with tears of joy in his eyes.”
Another example of the connections between the cities came from Vice President of the Board of Directors Bill Gray. He beamed with pride when he shared how our textile company, Parkdale Mills, sent thousands upon thousands of masks to Gotha during the pandemic. Despite all of our scheduled exchanges and travel being canceled for several years, the bond was never broken. Letters were sent from Gastonia to Germany and back along with email exchanges of hope and promise of future travel continued to be sent.
“If this is not an example of Peace Through People, I’m not sure what is, “Gray exclaimed.
We even have a tribute to Gotha at our Lineberger Greenway trail, noting where the Green Heart of Gotha meets the Greenway of Gastonia. This relationship between cities is a particularly strong and special sisterhood. Both regions are lush and green and celebrate experiences in nature.
Eleven students from Gotha, Germany will be here from September 18 – 30, 2024. They will be exposed to the wonderful sites within our city and county, enjoy our delicious local eateries, meaningful historical places, and the beautiful outdoor venues. Our American students are eagerly anticipating seeing their friends again. The students first met when our American crew went to Gotha in early June.
Before our students travel to either Sister City, they take six months of classes where they learn the language, history, and customs of their particular country. “Peace Through People” is practiced through our differences and celebrated through our similarities. While the Germans are here, they will experience American culture.
Board President Bob Latta shares, “the little idiosyncrasies of being in the south is not structured learning, but it is learning our culture and the same is true when we visit Germany. They gravitate to learn more about our Southern slang, and our varieties of options in daily life that are not as normal there. Our students learn how even buildings and staircases differ, alongside the rich historical components that saturate the German experience of daily life. These kids are walking by castles every day, something our students really are affected by on a cultural lens.”
This fall, the German students and chaperones will be guided around the area by Sister Cities staff. Education Coordinator Breanne Horne, and Administrative Director Juliann Lehman have put together an itinerary that truly highlights all that makes Gaston County a great place to live and play. Our local host families play a huge part in these experiences as well. During down time with their host families, some German students will make a quick trip to the mountains, coast, or they may simply visit more local gems and relatives. These personal experiences between the students are what makes this program affect its participants for a lifetime.
And guess what Gaston County residents? You can embrace this life-changing program by celebrating it in your classrooms, at church on Sundays, during your business meeting or simply when you are having lunch with a friend. Discuss the things about our great county that you might want to share with students from around the world! Let others know what is happening in our own backyard. Be generous with your time and grace while they are here with us.
Stay tuned, there is more to come! As a follow-up to this article, we will share what some of the students say about their visit, what stood out to them; maybe something special they will take back to their country to share with their community. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram for pictures and happenings during their visit.
Local student recruitment for next summer’s adventure is happening right now and is currently open to all Gaston County sophomores and juniors. Check out Gastonia Sister Cities’ Instagram to learn more, or email Breanne.Horne@GastoniaNC.gov.
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