Omura Student Exchange

High School Home Stay Exchange Program between San Carlos and Omura (Japan)

Student & Chaperone Applications for Summer 2027 are now open!

Student Application Information

Every summer, San Carlos offers a homestay exchange experience with a Japanese student in Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. For a week, students will stay with their Japanese host family in Omura, Japan, experiencing unique cultural experiences and a glimpse of high school life in Japan. In exchange, students representing San Carlos host their Japanese counterparts for a week in their homes.

Families are asked to pay the cost of air travel for their student and a portion of the chaperone's airfare and stay, with no additional fees toward the program. The exchange dates are set well ahead of time to allow us to coordinate with parents about the designated dates and flights to ensure everyone is traveling together. We do not allow families to choose different flights or itineraries without prior permission from SCSCA (i.e. student is staying in Japan after the exchange to spend more time with the actual family).

Apply Here by Dec 31, 2026

For transparent communication, each family is given contact information of all exchange students and their parents, as well as Omura City's International Department. We encourage communication between parents and students through texts, emails, and pictures prior to meeting to familiarize themselves with each other.

Candidates must be in high school and reside in the Bay Area. The ideal exchange candidate is mature, able to benefit from the exchange, and would contribute value to the experience of the Omura exchange students.

The online application is due by December 31st, 2026, along with a single-page essay on why they wish to go, what they anticipate getting from the experience, and what they feel they would contribute. We hold interviews in which parents are encouraged to join, and the final group of students is announced in late February to early March.

Chaperone Application Information

Every year, the San Carlos Sister City Association selects a dedicated volunteer chaperone to accompany our student delegation during the annual exchange with Omura, Japan. Chaperones play an essential role in ensuring a safe, enriching, and unforgettable experience while serving as ambassadors for the City of San Carlos and the Sister City Association.

If you're passionate about cultural exchange, mentorship, and international friendship, we'd love to hear from you.

Chaperone Responsibilities

As a chaperone, you'll help create a safe, supportive, and memorable experience for every student.

Responsibilities include:

Accompanying students during all group activities and excursions in Tokyo and Nagasaki
Providing daily photo updates during the trip
Maintaining communication with SCSCA regarding any concerns or emergencies
Safeguarding important travel documents, including passport copies and flight information
Representing the City of San Carlos and the San Carlos Sister City Association professionally
Hosting the visiting Japanese chaperone for approximately one week during the San Carlos exchange and assisting with local transportation
Supporting students throughout the exchange while fostering a positive cultural experience

Japanese language skills are preferred but are not required.