Sixteen students from North and South Medford High Schools departed on Friday morning for Alba, Italy, to immerse themselves in the lifestyle and culture of their city's Italian counterpart. The journey, reported by Medford's official website, continues a tradition that has been fostering global friendships since 1985.
Stepping into an experience that mirrors their Italian peers' visit to Medford in September 2024, the students will be residing with the families of Alba students. Having arrived with two chaperones, the group will endeavor into a packed two-week itinerary. Having been initiated in the past by Medford's former mayor, the program looks to create shared experiences between the youth of the two cities.
According to the itinerary, the students will engage with Alba by visiting local schools, exploring the halls of the city's governance at the city hall, and witnessing the inner workings of the Ferrero chocolate factory—home to some of the world's most beloved confections. The educational tour will not stop at modern production; history and nature will also grace their path, with visits to ancient castles, cathedrals, and the natural beauty of the Italian countryside through guided hikes.
Tracing its inception to 1960, the program was birthed from a vision of the then-Mayor John Snider of Medford, who seeded the Sister City relationship. The similarities between Medford and Alba—paralleled in population size, agricultural vitality, and climate—became the fertile ground for this cultural exchange, seeking to weave the threads of friendship and understanding through generations, as informed by Medford's official website.
