Cultural Exchange
Friendship that crosses borders.
Journey with us to our sister cities, or connect from home through our penpal program — building lasting friendships one letter, one visit at a time.
Featured Partnership
Dakar-Plateau, Senegal Pen Pal Program
The Dakar-Plateau, Senegal Exchange Pen Pal Program connects students at PUSD's Norma Coombs Elementary School with pen pals in Senegal, allowing children on both sides of the world to write and receive letters and build genuine friendships across cultures.
Ms. Annaliese Liberto, the teacher who organized the exchange, has helped guide students through the process of writing thoughtful letters and sharing pieces of their daily lives with their pen pals abroad. Because the letters are exchanged in different languages, Ms. Emma Franks generously translates each letter so that both sides can fully understand and connect with one another.
These photos were taken at Norma Coombs School on Thursday, May 22, 2025, capturing the students who are active participants in the program as they engaged with the letters and stories shared by their friends in Dakar-Plateau.
Sister City
Dakar-Plateau
Country
Senegal
Participating School
Norma Coombs Elementary (PUSD)
Program Type
Pen Pal Exchange
Getting Started
How the Program Works
Register
Sign up individually, as a family, or through your school or organization.
Get Matched
We pair you with a pen pal based on age, interests, and language preference.
Exchange Letters & Culture
Write letters, share photos, and learn about each other's daily lives and traditions.
Build Lifelong Friendships
Many pen pals stay connected for years, some even meeting in person one day.
The Benefits
Why Join?
Learn New Cultures
Discover traditions, food, and daily life from a completely different part of the world.
Improve Communication Skills
Writing regularly strengthens both language and interpersonal communication.
International Friendships
Build genuine connections with people you may never have otherwise met.
Language Practice
Practice reading and writing in another language in a low-pressure, friendly setting.
Cultural Awareness
Develop empathy and understanding for perspectives beyond your own community.
Global Citizenship
Take a meaningful first step toward becoming an engaged, globally-minded citizen.
Who Can Participate
Program Eligibility
Students
K-12 students may join individually or through a classroom.
Adults
Adults of any age are welcome to build their own pen pal friendship.
Volunteers
Help coordinate matches, translate letters, or support program events.
Schools
Entire classrooms can participate together as a group exchange.
Community Members
Anyone in Pasadena curious about the world is welcome to join.
Moments Captured
Photo Gallery
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join?
Students, adults, families, schools, and community members are all welcome to participate in the Pen Pal Program.
Is there a fee?
No — the Pen Pal Program is free to join. Some optional travel or delegation opportunities may involve separate costs.
How are pen pals matched?
We match participants based on age group, shared interests, and language preferences to help build a natural connection.
How often do participants communicate?
Most pairs exchange letters monthly, though the pace is flexible and up to each pen pal pair to decide together.
Can schools participate?
Yes — entire classrooms can join together, just like the students at Norma Coombs Elementary, often as part of a broader cultural or language curriculum unit.
Is travel required?
No — the core program is entirely letter-based. Travel and in-person visits are optional opportunities offered occasionally.
Start Your International Friendship Today
Join a global community of pen pals building understanding, one letter at a time. Your next lifelong friend could be just a letter away.