Wilmington Friends is a school committed to giving students an international education. In the first week of May this year, there will be yet another opportunity for Friends students to see from a more global perspective. Every other year, Swedish students from Kalmar international school in the town of Kalmar, Sweden pay a brief visit to Wilmington Friends.

This exchange program began eight years ago, so this year will mark our fifth visit from the students at Kalmar. The international school offers an American studies course every other year, which is considered a major part of the curriculum. Ten students who are taking the course are selected to come on a two week trip to the East Coast. During this trip, they will visit New York, Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., as well as spend a few days with a host family here in Wilmington.

Kalmar is one of Wilmington’s sister cities: the sister cities program is an international organization dedicated to forming relationships among communities across the globe. Some may recall that representatives of the organization have met here at school in the past for their once a month meetings. The organization has been picking up steam within the past few decades: more and more cities in the U.S. have reached out to communities in other countries to develop this sister city relationship. These Swedish visitors will give the Wilmington Friends community an opportunity to learn more about the cultures and lifestyles in our sister city Kalmar.

The visit between Friends and Kalmar students begins on the Kalmar Nyckel, which is the name of a sailboat on the Christina river. The fact that the orientation occurs on this river is significant: as the Swedish were the first colonizers in Delaware and they came along that river. It is named ‘Christina’ after a Swedish queen. The Swedish-American society here in Wilmington are instrumental in arranging this sail boat trip.

After the welcome orientation, the students come to Wilmington and stay usually stay for two nights with a host family at Friends. The students stay for two nights in the home of students here and spend one full class day here at school. The visit between the swedish students usually ends in a dinner sponsored by the Swedish-American society at Gallucio’s Restaurant on Lovering St.

In Mr. Rhodewalt’s words, “Both groups of students are given a unique opportunity to bond over a short period of time.” He reported that, although their visit is brief, the students tend to become good friends, and that often the goodbyes are difficult. This opportunity is a one-of-a-kind chance for Friends school students to form a life-long friendship with students from across the country.
Four juniors have already committed to hosting a student already – 9th and 10th graders can do it too. Unfortunately the visit occurs while the seniors are off on their explorations so they will not be able to host. Ten students are visiting, so six more hosts are still needed. This is a great chance to begin making international relationships. If this experience interests you, talk to Mr. Rhodewalt. Don’t miss this opportunity!