Two Schools. Two Countries. One Mission

Connect globally. Thrive Locally.

The Focus of Saluda Sister City

Our children are our future!

Our primary focus is on the children of Saluda Elementary and Carunchio elementary. We find ways to connect the children by pen pals; a shared website; exchanges of drawings, letters and internet communications; sharing of school materials and more. We provide materials to both schools to introduce the students to different cultures, and provided over 200 pounds of English-language children’s books to Carunchio. The larger Saluda community gets involved with art and culture displays of things “Carunchio,” special italian food events, a display in the visitor center and in City Hall, regular articles in the "Saluda Lifestyles” newsletter, visits to Saluda from cCarunchio mayor and citizens, Displays at community events, etc.

Student Exchange Program

Each summer a student journeys "across the pond” to spend time in their Sister city. In Saluda, students are housed with families in the town and various famlies take them on excursions to explore the beautiful mountain environment. Our first student, Benedetta Formisano, spent six weeks in Saluda in 2017. The covid slowed us down until 2023 when Claire Thompson travelled to Carunchio and spent a week in the Palazzo Tour D’Eau with its cooking school and Abruzzo touring, four days each with the mayor’s family and the truffle hunter’s family. Then Benedetta took Claire on a whirlwind train trip around Italy. In 2024, Saluda hosted Marta Pignatelli and Nora Criscio.