Bloomington Normal Sister Cities

2012 Jr. High Exchange Program Information to Asahikawa, Japan

2012 Program Flyer

Student application

Chaperone application
  • Tentitive Dates: June 7 -- June 21
  • Informational Meeting: Sunday, January 29th -- 2pm to 3pm
  • Central Illinois Regional Airport
  • (2nd floor conference room #2)
  • Approximate Cost: $2500
  • March 1, 2012 Application and first payment of $600 due
  • April 1, 2012 second payment of $600 due
  • May 14, 2012 balance due
In cooperation with the Sister Cities Committee in Asahikawa, the Bloomington-Normal-Asahikawa Sister Cities Committee has been sponsoring a home stay junior high student exchange since 1985.

Each year, a group of students is selected from the Bloomington-Normal area to travel to Asahikawa for approximately two weeks. The trip usually takes place in July.

On the trip the students stay with host families, tour cultural, historic, and recreational sites. This program offers students the opportunity to see another culture up close and personal.

Applications are distributed to area schools in January/February or from committee members.

The size of the group is typically limited to no more than 15.

The group is chaperoned by two or three adults, usually including at least one member of the Sister Cities Committee.

Since participants pay their own way, the junior high exchange program is not limited to students in Bloomington-Normal schools. Students attending other area schools have participated in the past.

Prior to departing, students and chaperones meet on a regular basis for training classes.

Participants learn basic language skills, such as how to say simple phrases ("Hello, my name is...", How much does this cost?", "Can you tell me how to find..."). The classes are also used for the sampling of Japanese foods and to learn about international travel procedures.

The Sister Cities Committee in Asahikawa plans the agenda for the junior high visitors. On previous trips students have visited schools, businesses, and government offices and toured Asahikawa-area attractions and landmarks.

Students and chaperones stay with host families in Asahikawa.