Winona has two sister cities in Misato, Japan, and Bytów, Poland. The Winona International Friendship Association (WIFA) was established in 2014 to coordinate student ambassador delegations with Misato, Japan. WIFA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization run by a volunteer Board of Directors. 

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Each year, WIFA accepts applications and interviews 8th-10th grade students who are interested in becoming ambassadors to Misato. Once selected, this group meets throughout the year to host the October Misato delegation in Winona, learn about the Japanese culture, and host fundraising events to offset their travel fees.

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For students & families interested in applying for the 2026-2027 cohort to learn more:

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June 29, 4:30 PM at Winona Public Library: Join for an informational session with WIFA leadership to learn specifics about what the program entails, what is expected of each ambassador, and learn about some of the fun that awaits them! Please feel free to bring any questions you may have about the process to this meeting. There will be time to chat with leadership during & after. 

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To learn about each of Winona's sister cities, visit the "About" page.

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