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Ishikari¨CÂé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ High School Student Short-Term Exchange Program

Ishikari Bay

Important Notes – Please Read Carefully

  • This program is part of the official sister city exchange between Ishikari City and the City of Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­. Participation is limited to families who are able to host a Japan exchange student (buddy) for two weeks in May.
  • During the exchange, students will stay with their buddy’s family in a homestay arrangement and attend the same high school as their buddy.
     Please note that the buddy may not be of the same gender.
  • Students from Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ will travel to Ishikari at the end of June immediately at the end of school. They will attend the same high school as their Japan exchange buddy.  
  • The student’s family is expected to act as a host family, providing a private room and support for the buddy’s school life.
  • If a student engages in dangerous or prohibited behavior during the exchange, the host organization (Ishikari International Association (NPO)) reserves the right to terminate the exchange early and send the student home.
  • A home environment inspection will be conducted for students selected to participate. Additionally, a criminal background check may be required at the request of the host organization.
  • Details will be provided to the selected students beginning in January.
     

 

Program Details

This exchange is open to 4 students who attend Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ High schools – Carihi Secondary & Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Secondary. 

These students will attend either Ishikari Shoyo High School or Ishikari Minami High School.

 

 

  • 4 students total
  • Exchange Period
    • Ishikari Students in Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­: May 16 (Sat) to May 30 (Sat), 2026
    • Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Student swill travel to Ishikari for June 28 (Sun) to July 11 (Sat), 2026

 

 Eligibility Requirements 

  1. Must attend either Carihi Secondary or Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Secondary
  1. Must actively participate in exchange activities as a representative of Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ City and continue international exchange activities after returning
  2. Must be able to host an incoming exchange student (buddy) from Ishikari in a private room
    • Hosting period: May 16 (Sat) to May 30 (Sat), 2026
  3. Must understand that the buddy may not be of the same gender

Application Requirements:

  1. Student School Photo and/or recent photo
  1. Previous School Report Card.
  2. Letter of Recommendation. Please have a teacher, school counselor, Principal, mentor, coach, tutor, or other adult who knows the student well but is not a family member write a letter of recommendation for the applicant. 
  3. Letter to your exchange buddy describing yourself
  4. Video of Self Introduction.
    • Duration: 3–5 minutes
      • Content: 
      • Motivation for applying
      • What do you hope to learn from this exchange?
      • What skills are important for participating in an exchange program?
      • How do you plan to use your exchange experience after returning?
  5. Passport picture page.

 

¡ö Estimated Costs

  • Approx. $5000CAD
     (includes round-trip airfare, travel insurance, passport fees, spending money, miscellaneous expenses)

¡ö Application Deadline

  • Submit to your school by November 12th, 2025

 

Additional Notes

  • This program is co-hosted by Ishikari City and the Ishikari International Association, with the Association as the main organizer
  • Students will stay with host families (buddies) in Japan.
  • Selection will be based on submitted documents and videos. Results will be announced via the International Student Program in early December
  • From January 2026, selected students will undergo a home inspection and A criminal background check may also be required. 

 

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