Sixteen students from North and South Medford High Schools returned from their two-week visit to Medford’s sister city Alba, Italy earlier this month.
The group, along with two chaperones, stayed with the Italian families of Alba students who visited Medford in September 2024.
Students toured the Ferrero chocolate factory, hiked through vineyards, visited cathedrals and castles, and participated in sports competitions with the Italian students.
The group was also featured on the Radio Alba talk show. When South Medford student Tia Nesbitt was asked what she loved about Italy, she replied, “every beautiful landscape has a beautiful story that goes with it.”
Bella Aquirre, also from South Medford, agreed and added that she enjoyed “finding a great, extensive piece of history everywhere you go in Italy.”
The Medford-Alba student exchange began in 1985, and over 400 local students have participated in the program over the years.
The sister city relationship was established in 1960 by then-Medford mayor John Snider, who believed it would foster lasting bonds between the two communities. At the time, both cities shared similar populations, climates, and thriving agricultural industries.
The group returned to Medford on April 5th and came together for a welcome home party on April 13.