Helping
Aiken citizens understand the history and culture of their partner cities
– and vice versa – is at the heart of PIF’s programs.
PIF’s international student and teacher exchanges provide once-in-a-lifetime
opportunities for young people and adults to make new friends, gain
new perspectives on the world, and expand their cultural and intellectual
horizons.
The Student Exchange Program
Every other summer since 1997, Partners in Friendship has been sending students from Aiken-area high schools to Aiken’s Italian partner city, Orvieto. In the alternate years, young people from Orvieto have come as PIF-sponsored exchange students to Aiken.
In July, 2008 five students and two chaperones from Orvieto visited Aiken and were hosted by families of Aiken students who had previously visited Orvieto during the summer of 2007. Before flying back to Italy, the Italians spent two days in New York City.
During April 2009, seven students and two chaperones from Aiken visited Orvieto and resided with host families. Students spent two days in Rome and also visited Florence and other surrounding hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany
To qualify for the program, students must be rising sophomores, rising juniors, or rising seniors in Aiken County public or private schools, must meet certain academic and disciplinary standards, and must go through a written selection process. PIF encourages all interested students to apply.
For further information, contact one of the program’s chaperones, Linda Muse at South Aiken High (641-2600) or Francesca Pataro at Aiken High School (641-2500).
