Student Exchange Application Information and Student Testimonials
What is the Student Exchange?
The Salinas-Kushikino Sister City Association was established in 1979 to build a bridge between all of the citizens of Salinas, California and Ichikikushikino, Japan. One of the goals of The Association was to create an outstanding annual summer student exchange program. Since 1987, The Association has sent students biennially to Ichikikushikino. Exceptionally conscientious, responsible, and mature students from all economic and ethnic backgrounds in the Greater Salinas and North County areas are actively encouraged to apply. While in Japan, the students stay with local families, attend school, meet with civic and youth leaders, and share ideas, culture, and goodwill.
The year after our Student Ambassadors’ visit, we welcome the Student Ambassadors from Ichikikushikino who stay with our local families, making this truly an educational and cultural exchange program.
Am I Eligible to Apply?
Our Student Ambassador and Exchange Program is open to current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who legally reside within the zip codes of Salinas, CA (93901, 93905, 93906, 93907, & 93908) or whose immediate family (student, parents, or grandparents) have been members of the Association for a minimum of two years. In order to be selected as an Ambassador, students must complete an application, which will be reviewed by our Board of Directors. Applications are selected from this review and selected students will be interviewed by our Interview Panel. Ambassadors are selected through an evaluation of both their written application and interview. Once the Student Ambassadors have been selected, they participate in various Association events and Japanese language classes in order to prepare them for their trip.
Latest Information for our 2023 Student Exchange Trip
2022-2023 Student Application
We are very pleased to announce that our application for the Student Ambassador group traveling to Japan during the summer of 2023 Is available now!
Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. For more information, please contact Bonnie Dillard, (831) 320-3526, or email, salinasiksistercity@gmail.com.
Want a Student’s Perspective?
Introducing former Student Ambassador testimonials! Learn more about the experience of traveling to a new country through the perspectives of students from both Salinas and Ichikikushikino.
Who were Student Ambassadors in the Past?
Take a look into some of our past student ambassador groups!