From February 10th to 14th, Sahuaro’s campus will host 10–15 foreign exchange students from South Korea as part of the KTAP (Korea Tucson Ambassador Program). This is an excellent opportunity to foster cultural exchange and share experiences with students from another country.
KTAP is organized by the Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student Services (APARSS), a dedicated group supporting academic achievement among Asian Pacific American and refugee students. APARSS has facilitated cultural exchanges between South Korea and Tucson for several years.
Our administration is seeking host families to welcome these students into their homes for the week. Both male and female students will need accommodations, and host families will play a vital role in making this exchange a meaningful and memorable experience.
As a host family, your responsibilities will include:
- Providing a comfortable place for the student to stay.
- Offering transportation to and from the airport.
- Ensuring the student can travel to and from school each day.
According to Principal Estrella, this program marks the first time high school students are participating in KTAP. “This is the first time bringing high school-age students…What makes the difference is that they are only here for a week, whereas in the past, it feels like students have stayed for longer amounts of time.”
The cultural exchange programs aim to strengthen ties between South Korea and the U.S. “It’s a way for us to strengthen our relationship between South Korean and American people. It allows students to expand their global vision, see cultural differences, and discover similarities that bring us together,” said Estrella.
One reason the school was chosen to participate in the program is its early enthusiasm. “Every school was offered the opportunity to participate, and we expressed very early on that we’d like to. Sometimes, it’s as simple as saying yes early enough and following through,” he shared.
This short-term experience enables students to appreciate cultural diversity and understand that, ultimately, they are all just teenagers facing similar challenges. It’s about fostering human connections and learning from one another. Mr. Estrella emphasizes that the exchange program not only allows students to experience new cultures but also aims to create an environment where cultural differences can be celebrated and recognized by hosting South Korean exchange students.
If your family is interested in hosting one or more students or would like to learn more about KTAP, please email Principal Estrella at [email protected].
