Memories that will last a lifetime
Jr. Ambassador Programs
The Junior Ambassador program is a short-term experience from both Asahikawa and from Bloomington-Normal. The goals of this program are to:
Provide opportunities for young people to develop international friendships, language skills, and cultural experiences
Strengthen personal bonds between our two cities
Give host family members an opportunity to learn about the ambassador student’s community, language, and culture
Give students the ability to represent their communities and encourage other students to visit and volunteer as host families
Provide students with an opportunity to visit Asahikawa before considering the High School exchange program
The application for the 2027 Jr. Ambassador trip to Asahikawa is now open!
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The application for the 2027 Jr. Ambassador trip to Asahikawa is now open! 〰️
Jr. Ambassador Trip to Asahikawa
The trip from Bloomington-Normal usually occurs each June for up to 8 students. This program is available to any McLean County student who will have recently completed 7th - 10th grade at the time of the trip. Students who participate will attend multiple orientation sessions to learn basic Japanese language phrases and customs prior to the trip.
Check out this interview with a recent ambassador, Sahith!
While in Japan, the students will be matched up with Japanese host families and experience varied activities. The estimated trip cost is between $2000 - $3000 for nearly 10 days of travel (depending on airfare pricing) with a $200 participation fee. Watch the web site for the information session to learn more about this amazing trip. The current projected flight dates are June 1 - June 11, 2027 (Subject to change).
Apply to be a Jr. Ambassador for Summer 2027
Original Art by Harley Brandt
Jr. Ambassador Trip from Asahikawa
Just as we take students to Japan, our sister city, Asahikawa, Japan sends students from their community to Bloomington-Normal each year. Our cities host up to 15 students for about 1 week at the end of March, beginning of April. Families from Bloomington Normal host a student in their home and share a similar cultural experiences. While visiting, the Japanese students see many attractions and take part in various daily activities during each weekday of their trip. There will be more information posted about how your family can host a student and share in this amazing experience.
The next Asahikawa to Bloomington/Normal trip will be from March 26-April 4 2026!
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The next Asahikawa to Bloomington/Normal trip will be from March 26-April 4 2026! 〰️
