German Exchange Students Receive Warm Welcome To Norfolk

From the City of Norfolk: Monday afternoon, Councilwoman Mamie B. Johnson welcomed a group of 13 exchange students from Norfolk’s Sister City Wilhelmshaven. Wilhelmshaven, Germany and Norfolk became sister cities in 1976. Norfolk Sister Cities oversees multiple programs with Wilhelmshaven, including the Annual Summer Youth Exchange program, which was created in 1978. As part of their civic education, students spend time with Norfolk City Council members.

Yesterday, Councilwoman Johnson who represents Ward 3, hosted the students in the Chamber of Norfolk City Council. She noted, “I am delighted to be able to greet these young scholars as they participate in citizen diplomacy and learn more about our great city and historic partnership.”

As part of its relationship with Wilhelmshaven, Norfolk public school teachers, university professors and the Wilhelmshaven and Norfolk Youth Soccer League have participated in exchanges. Throughout the years, the partnership has also included a number of cultural events, including an engineering design challenge and ballroom dance exchange.

The students arrived on July 7th and will return home at the end of the month. Norfolk students will head to Germany as part of the exchange next summer.