Winona–Bytów Sister Cities Student Ambassador Program

 

The Winona–Bytów Sister Cities Student Ambassador Program is a well-established initiative connecting high school students from Winona, Minnesota and Bytów, Poland. It was founded in 1998 by Father Paul Breza, the founder and former director of the Polish Cultural Center & Museum of Winona (PCCM). Its goals are to educate and engage Winona high school students with their Kashubian Polish heritage and to strengthen the sister cities relationship between Winona and Bytów. Today, the program continues to reflect Winona’s deep historical and cultural ties to the Kashubian region of Poland. It fosters intercultural understanding, friendship, and global citizenship through immersive summer exchanges.

 

The program operates on a two-year cycle with Bytów students visiting Winona during year one and Winona students visiting Bytów during year two. The program is housed at Winona Area Public Schools (ISD 861). The program was resumed in 2024 after a brief pause during COVID.  The current class of ambassadors is the second class since the program resumed.

 

The program has built a strong history of logistics and financial support using a home-stay model. Student ambassadors are immersed in the culture and daily life of their hosting community by staying with local families. This model provides an engaged and financially accessible experience for students from both Bytów and Winona. 

As the coordinating and cultural sponsor, PCCM aims to ensure continued growth, inclusivity, and sustainability.  Formal structural support is provided by the Winona Area Public Schools. The City of Winona assists in welcoming the visiting Polish delegations.

For more information email: exchangeliaison@polishmuseumwinona.org