In a world that’s more connected than ever, building bridges between communities across borders isn’t just about travel—it’s about transformation. At the Bryan–College Station Sister Cities Association, we believe that cultural exchange is a gateway to long-term economic growth rooted in trust, collaboration, and shared opportunity.
Trust First, Trade Follows
Before any international business deal is struck or trade route established, trust must exist. That trust often begins with personal connection—the kind that Sister Cities fosters through student exchanges, delegation visits, and long-standing partnerships with cities like Bastogne, Greifswald, Salamanca, and Toruń.
When a student from College Station shares a meal with a host family in Belgium, or a civic leader from Poland tours Bryan’s local businesses, it creates a ripple effect. People-to-people diplomacy opens the door for mutual understanding, breaking down stereotypes and building the relationships that future economic collaboration is built on.
From Cultural Curiosity to Global Competence
Cultural exchange programs give students and adults in the Brazos Valley the chance to experience other economies firsthand. Whether it’s witnessing how other cities support innovation, exploring new educational models, or understanding work culture abroad, these insights often spark ideas that come back home—fueling entrepreneurship, leadership, and smarter community development.
Communities that invest in international understanding are more competitive globally. They attract foreign partnerships, foster tourism, and build the kind of inclusive atmosphere that modern businesses look for when deciding where to invest.
Collaboration that Crosses Borders
Our Sister Cities program is more than symbolic. It’s a living, breathing network of cooperation. Past exchange participants have gone on to form lasting international relationships, pursue global careers, or launch initiatives that improve local infrastructure, education, or business practices. These connections don’t just enrich lives—they can reshape economies.
As Bryan and College Station continue to grow, the global perspective offered through cultural exchanges helps ensure that growth is informed, inclusive, and future-ready.
Why It Matters Now
In an era of rapid globalization, local communities can no longer afford to think locally. Programs like ours help make Bryan–College Station a place where the world feels welcome—and where our residents are prepared to succeed on a global stage.
At Bryan–College Station Sister Cities, we’re not just promoting peace through cultural understanding. We’re helping build a stronger, more collaborative economy—one handshake, one student exchange, one shared story at a time.
About Bryan–College Station Sister Cities
Bryan–College Station Sister Cities Association serves as a bridge between our community in the heart of the Brazos Valley (Bryan–College Station, Texas) and cities around the world. Founded in 1989, our mission is to foster mutual cultural understanding, educational growth, and economic development through citizen diplomacy.
We are proud to partner with Bastogne, Belgium; Greifswald, Germany; Salamanca, Mexico; and Toruń, Poland—each conversation and exchange solidifying global bonds and building trust across different cultures.
Through programs like the Youth Ambassador Exchange, local students and adults travel abroad and host visitors here in the Brazos Valley—experiencing immersive cultural, civic, and educational exchanges that benefit both communities.
Anchored by the values promoted by Sister Cities International—“to promote peace one person, one community at a time”—our local chapter reflects those ideals by engaging residents of Bryan and College Station in meaningful international collaboration.
Bryan-College Station Sister Cities 
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