Study abroad in Japan
High School Exchange program from Bloomington-Normal to Asahikawa
Each year, the Bloomington-Normal/Asahikawa Sister Cities Committee selects one student from the residential boundaries of Bloomington District 87 or McLean County Unit 5 School Districts to attend school in Asahikawa, Japan. Students spend the entire year with different host families while attending a local high school in Asahikawa, Japan. Students at private schools or who are homeschooled but reside within the above school district boundaries are eligible to apply.
Applications for our Next Exchange Student will open later this summer.
〰️
Applications for our Next Exchange Student will open later this summer. 〰️
2026-27 HS Exchange Student
Mathilda Estabrook
Mathilda is a student at Normal Community West high school, about to start her year abroad at Higashi high school in Asahikawa, Japan as a 1st year. She has always loved experiencing new things and hopes to get the most out of the short time she has.
2025-26 HS Exchange Student
Harley Kay Brandt
2024-25 HS Exchange Student
Clara Stegemann
Clara is a Junior at Normal West High School. She has always been interested in Japanese culture, and she is excited to spend the 2024-25 school year at Asahikawa Tosei High School.
2023-24 HS Exchange Student
Arisa Mahatanankoon
Arisa is now a senior at University High School. She had an amazing experience in Asahikawa, and said it was very hard to leave.
2018-19 HS Exchange Stuent
Asia Quizon-Colquitt
Apply to be the next Bloomington/Normal Exchange student to Asahakiawa
