Traveling to countries around the world like Israel, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan, a group of Ahwatukee students have been chosen as youth ambassadors for the city of Phoenix’s Youth Ambassador Exchange program.

Those 19 or older who have a disability and live in the Phoenix area or one of Phoenix’s nine sister cities are eligible for the fourth annual Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Writers with Disabilities. The deadline for submitting entries is May 3.

Students from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, Ireland, visited the Seton Catholic Preparatory campus and showcased traditional Irish sports and music. Seton Catholic Prep’s relationship with the Sacred Heart is through the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities program.

Phoenix’s award-winning Sister Cities program is looking to expand and create more economic opportunities for the city.

Part of the Phoenix Sister Cities’ Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, three Ahwatukee Foothills teens returned from overseas trips last month.

Two photo exhibits, “The Many Splendors of Taiwan” and “Taiwan Plugging into the World,” will be on display 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, through June 15, at Phoenix City Hall atrium, 200 W. Washington St. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

WASHINGTON — The number of Mexican immigrants living illegally in the U.S. has dropped significantly for the first time in decades, a dramatic shift as many illegal workers, already in the U.S. and seeing few job opportunities, return to Mexico.

In the small town of Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, it is nearly impossible to walk by a residential neighborhood or a busy street without encountering a work of art. This is what photographer Burt Sun first noticed when he visited the town nearly six years ago, and it led to the creation of “Bel Borba Aqui,” which plays at the Phoenix Film Festival this weekend.

Mel Flake, naval officer veteran and resident of Ahwatukee Foothills, has experienced and seen a lot in his 75 years.

Ninety art entries have been received for the sixth annual Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities.

Ninety art entries have been received for the sixth annual Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities.

Artists over 19 years old, who have a disability and live in Arizona or one of Phoenix's nine sister cities, are eligible for the sixth annual Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities.

The three top winners of the Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Writers with Disabilities recently were honored at a special awards event. Applicants were asked to submit an original, unpublished poem of no more than 32 lines on the theme "One World, One Place, One Home."

As a 13-year-old, Yen-Li Chen swept floors in a ballet studio in Taiwan in exchange for lessons because her parents could not afford them.

As a 13-year-old, Yen-Li Chen swept floors in a ballet studio in Taiwan in exchange for lessons because her parents could not afford them.

A major culture shock is hitting the downtown Phoenix area this weekend with Phoenix Sister Cities kicking off its sixth annual WorldFEST celebration.

A major culture shock is hitting the downtown Phoenix area this weekend with Phoenix Sister Cities kicking off its sixth annual WorldFEST celebration.

Say goodbye to the volatile Year of the Tiger.

Say goodbye to the volatile Year of the Tiger.

Mesa police identified the owner of a massage parlor who was stabbed to death inside her business on Tuesday.

The results might have been the least important part of Alec Hsu's stay is Guangzhou, China.

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Paula West, who became one of a handful of people at the top of the Sister Cities International organization last month, was a housewife who had never been outside of the U.S. when she resolved to volunteer for the group back in 1983.

When Mountain Pointe High School senior Morgen Schreiner lived with a family in Grenoble, France, this summer she was surprised to be bombarded with unexpected questions. "The first question everybody asked me was did I like (President) Bush," she said. "Then when they found out I was from Arizona, they would ask me if I like cowboys or Indians better." Schreiner was one of 40 students chosen by the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission to participate in the Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program (YAEP). Her experience, she says, is one she will never forget. "It sounds weird, but I really learned to appreciate America because I didn't realize we had a culture here," Schreiner, 18, said. "So many people said I was lucky for being an American. It is really frustrating for them that they don't speak English." The purpose of YAEP is to offer opportunities for Phoenix high school students to appreciate and understand other cultures through an abroad/home stay experience. Through the program, students have an opportunity to travel to one of the 10 sister cities and stay with a host family for three weeks. They then, in turn, must host their brother or sister for the same length of time in Phoenix. Schreiner's host sister, Marlene Junet, stayed with Schreiner's family in Ahwatukee Foothills for three weeks. "The first thing she wanted to do was go to the movies because they are a much bigger deal here," Schreiner said. "She bought popcorn and was really excited because they don't have popcorn there." Their biggest obstacle? Communication. Schreiner's mother doesn't speak French and other YAEP students from France lived with their host families across the Valley. "I took her to a coffee shop where I knew someone spoke French because it really gives you a headache after a while," Schreiner said. Today 1,283 cities in the U.S. are linked with 2,139 international cities in 137 countries through the sister cities program. Phoenix sister cities include Calgary, Canada; Catania, Italy; Chengdu, China; Ennis, Ireland; Grenoble, France; Hermosillo, Mexico; Himeji, Japan; Prague, Czech Republic; Ramat-Gan, Israel and Taipei, Taiwan. High school students can apply as sophomores or juniors for the summer entering their junior or senior year. The deadline for summer 2008 is Dec. 7. "There are a lot of essay questions like, 'What would you do if you were served food you didn't like?'" Schreiner said. "Then, if you are selected, they call you in for four or five interviews at City Hall." Students must be willing to participate in the program as a Youth Ambassador for one year. Now that last year's program is coming to an end, Schreiner said she is currently promoting the program by doing volunteer marketing, participating in workshops and telling her story to other high school students. "My favorite experience didn't have anything to do with going to France," Schreiner said. "I've made so many friends here in this program. I have friends around the world now, even with the language barrier." For more information, visit www.phoenixsistercities.org. Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.