Mercer Island Welcomes French Students from Sister City

A delegation of 17 high school students and three teachers from Mercer Island's sister city, Thonon Les Bains, France, arrived last Thursday to begin a 10-day cultural and educational exchange. The visit, in which the students will stay in the homes of the families, tour points of interest throughout the region, and attend classes at Mercer Island High School, falls on the 25^th anniversary of the two cities’ relationship.

The visit kicked off with a Halloween-themed welcoming reception, held at the MI Community and Event Center, attended by Mayor Salim Nice, fellow council members Daniel Becker and Ted Weinberg, and members of the Mercer Island Sister City Association (MISCA).

“Earlier this year, our students began an eye-opening journey to Thonon, marking the first chapter of this wonderful exchange program. It’s rewarding to see the second chapter of this exchange take place here on Mercer Island,” Nice said during the event. “What makes this exchange truly special isn’t just the sights, it’s the friendships. The bonds formed in Thonon are being rekindled here, and I’m confident they’ll grow into lasting connections that cross borders and time.”

Deputy City Clerk Deborah Estrada, who serves on MISCA’s board, prepared an elaborate display of Halloween treats and decorations for the French students, who have not previously experienced this American cultural tradition.

The students have been immersing themselves with visits to Seattle and other sites in the Puget Sound, including a fish hatchery in Issaquah, the Space Needle, Chihuly Glass, and Snoqualmie Falls, with visits to Seattle’s waterfront park, aquarium, zoo and other sites also on the schedule.

A key aspect of the exchange is the opportunity for the students to stay in the homes of Mercer Island High School students who visited France this past April, providing a first-hand look at American family life.

“This experience is giving us the opportunity to discover American culture, improve our English skills, and build meaningful connections with American students and our hosts. The kindness of the people here will make our trip unforgettable,” said student Mehdi Bayram.

The relationship between Mercer Island and Thonon Les Bains, located on the shores of Lake Geneva in the French Alps, officially began in 2000 to promote cultural, educational, and economic ties across international borders. Over the years, many delegations of students and adults from each city have made the cross-Atlantic trip to build strong ties between the two communities.

“As we mark twenty-five years of partnership with Thonon-les-Bains, we celebrate more than a milestone—we celebrate friendship, understanding, and the joy of shared experiences,” Nice said.

For more information, visit MISCA’s website.