Gaston County students recently traveled abroad to represent the greater Gastonia area in Santiago de Surco, Peru and Gotha, Germany.
The Peru group visited the famed Machu Picchu, llamas, and colorful markets.
The nine students and two chaperones then traveled to begin their homestays over the weekend before returning home.
The Germany group, consisting of 10 students and two chaperones, spent 10 days to tour Gotha and the surrounding area known as Thuringia.
The trips were made possible through Gastonia Sister Cities.
Sister Cities International was established in 1956 to strengthen global cooperation at the local level, with the motto “think globally, thrive locally.”
The Sister Cities Exchange program in Gastonia began more than 35 years ago when the relationship with Gotha, Germany was established. In 2004, Santiago de Surco, Peru became Gastonia’s second sister city.
In order to participate in the Sister Cities Exchange Program, students must complete an application and go through a selection process. Students selected for the program spend at least six months in preparation for the exchange, which includes taking classes. After completing their program this summer, they will have the reciprocal opportunity to share their homes with their host brothers and sisters in the fall for about two weeks.
While overseas, students experience day-to-day living with their host families, enjoying activities like sports, attending classes at their host’s school, meeting important community members, touring cultural sites like museums, cathedrals and other unique buildings, parks, and of course local cuisine.
When asked about their experiences, rising Piedmont Community Charter School senior Zaniah McDowell wrote while on the trip, “My favorite experience so far was hiking Machu Picchu and capturing the historical moments in person and on film. I enjoyed all the information our tour guide Mr. Washington gave us. I am enjoying spending time with my amazing host family, forming a strong bond with my host sister and spending time with her kind friends.”
Jada Brooks wrote, “In 2016, I was a part of Sister Cities as a student and in 2025, I was able to be a chaperone. It has been so wonderful to experience the beauty of Peru again. My favorite part of the trip has been witnessing everything from a different perspective. When I came the first time, it was my first trip out of the country, and I was overcome with excitement about all the different places that I didn’t soak in all the information that was provided. This time, I was able to take in more details about this history and the culture.”
Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved with other international exchange opportunities or becoming a member, send an email to gastoniasistercities@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston students visit Peru, Germany with Gastonia Sister Cities program