The City of Encinitas recently concluded a meaningful week-long Sister City exchange with a student delegation from Amakusa, Japan, marking another milestone in a relationship that has connected the two communities since 1988, according to a news release. Six student delegates and two adults stayed with Encinitas host families and experienced a full slate of local culture, civic engagement, and outdoor recreation, strengthening friendships and building the kind of understanding that lasts far beyond a single visit.
“Through our Sister City exchange, we create bridges of understanding, inspire our youth to lead with vision, and celebrate the power of people-to-people connections,” said Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers in the news release. “With heartfelt gratitude, we thank the hosts for sharing this journey with us.”
Student delegates in downtown Encinitas.
(Courtesy of City of Encinitas)
For 37 years, the Encinitas/Amakusa Sister City Program has been a living classroom for cultural literacy, empathy, and global citizenship. Delegates and host families learn from one another in everyday ways – at the breakfast table, on the beach, at city hall – creating intergenerational connections that ripple through schools, neighborhoods, and local businesses. Many current host parents once participated as students themselves, and local youth who have traveled to Amakusa return as confident, open-minded leaders at home.
Sixteen-year-old Quade Kelley, a youth commissioner for the City of Encinitas, shared his thoughts on the recent Sister City Exchange: “Visiting Amakusa as a part of the Sister City Exchange, I felt honored to add my story to this special Encinitas tradition. Sharing laughter and sports with my host family, trying new food, participating in local customs, visiting schools and meeting city officials taught me the power of global friendship,” said Kelley in the news release. “This experience showed me how curiosity connects cultures and people. I am grateful to be a part of this special youth program that celebrates the best of our beach town communities and inspires a lifelong passion for civic responsibility.”
The continuation and success of the program is made possible through the dedication of the volunteer Sister City Committee, whose members work year-round to coordinate exchanges, recruit host families, and foster relationships with Amakusa. Their leadership ensures each visit reflects Encinitas’ welcoming spirit and creates opportunities for cultural understanding across generations.
“As a longtime participant in the Sister City Program – first as a student delegate, later as a host family, and now as a committee member – I continue to be amazed by the lasting impression this incredible program leaves on the Encinitas community and the strong friendships we build with our friends from Amakusa,” said Isaac Trotta, Sister City Committee member, in the news release.
Student delegates in front of Cardiff Kook.
(Courtesy of City of Encinitas)
With generous support from community partners and volunteers, the delegation experienced Encinitas through signature activities that showcased civic pride, creativity, and the Encinitas coastal lifestyle, including:
•Surf lessons at Moonlight Beach with Concept Surf•Skateboarding sessions with Olympic skateboarder Bryce Wettstein•A Padres baseball game experience in San Diego•A hands-on art class and intimate music experience at Pacific View Arts Center•A classic American BBQ hosted by the Encinitas Fire Department•Community dinners, beach volleyball, and day trips that connected delegates with host families and local youth
Watch the video recap of the 2025 Sister City visit at: https://www.encinitasca.gov/community/about-encinitas/sister-city
To learn more about how to become involved or support future exchanges, visit the city’s website at the address above or contact Nicole White at nwhite@encinitasca.gov to be added to the interest list.
AloJapan.com