Medford Welcomes Students From Sister City Alba, Italy

Published on September 03, 2026

Seventeen high school students and two chaperones from Medford’s sister city, Alba, Italy, arrived in Medford on Saturday for a 12-day visit.

During their stay, the students will live with Medford host families and experience school and community life in the Rogue Valley. Their itinerary includes visits to local high schools, a pep rally and football game, camping, rafting on the Klamath River, a visit to Crater Lake, and a hike up Upper Table Rock.

On Wednesday, the students joined City Councilors and staff for dinner in the Medford Police Department’s Prescott Room, toured a newly installed mural in the Alba Room at City Hall, and presented during a City Council meeting.

The new mural, created by Becky Bradley with YorCor Design and recently installed by The Sign Dude, celebrates Alba with a map, timeline and photographs of the city. The City Council allocated funds from the Council Community Initiative Fund in September 2025 to upgrade the Alba Room and install flags in Alba Park to honor the sister city relationship.

The student exchange began in 1985, with more than 400 local students participating over the years. Last spring, North and South Medford students traveled to Alba, where they toured the Ferrero chocolate factory, explored vineyards, visited historic sites, and participated in sports competitions with Italian students.

Medford and Alba became sister cities in 1960, when then-Mayor John Snider envisioned a relationship that would foster lasting connections between the two communities.