High School Ambassador Program
This cultural and educational exchange program between San Mateo and Toyonaka is part of the “People to People” programs initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the early 1950s. As part of these historical programs, the San Mateo Student Ambassador Exchange with Toyonaka, Japan, allows San Mateo students to travel to Japan, live in the homes of Toyonaka families, and participate in Japanese cultural events. In exchange, Toyonaka students live in San Mateo; thus, the program serves to strengthen and promote better understanding and friendship between the United States and Japan.
The students selected for this exchange program act as Ambassadors for the City of San Mateo and participate in numerous public appearances and speaking engagements in Toyonaka, Japan. Many fine friendships have developed among past exchanges and the people working together in the San Mateo-Toyonaka Sister City program. But this “People to People” program also fosters friendship and cooperation between the residents of the two cities: San Mateo and Toyonaka.
The San Mateo-Toyonaka Sister City Association selects up to 4 students from San Mateo to represent the Association and San Mateo City as ambassadors. Two are selected to travel to Toyonaka, Japan, and up to two alternates will remain in San Mateo to act as host ambassadors.
The San Mateo Sister City Association is responsible for this program. The San Mateo City Council supports the program. The Association raises funds to help defray the cost of sending San Mateo students to Japan.
The two students selected will visit Toyonaka, Japan, for 10 days during the summer. Exact dates will be determined in the Spring based on the schedule of Toyonaka and flight availability. Each student will live with host families while in Toyonaka and they will be treated as family members. There will always be someone with the students who speaks English. Prior to their departure to Toyonaka, the San Mateo student ambassadors will have a basic orientation on traveling to Japan and a review of the activities that they will be expected to participate in while in Toyonaka.
The host ambassadors remain in San Mateo to be part of the organizing committee planning the program for the Toyonaka students visiting San Mateo. This includes participating in San Mateo City functions affiliated with the San Mateo Sister City Association.
The students selected for this exchange program act as Ambassadors for the City of San Mateo and participate in numerous public appearances and speaking engagements in Toyonaka, Japan. Many fine friendships have developed among past exchanges and the people working together in the San Mateo-Toyonaka Sister City program. But this “People to People” program also fosters friendship and cooperation between the residents of the two cities: San Mateo and Toyonaka.
The San Mateo-Toyonaka Sister City Association selects up to 4 students from San Mateo to represent the Association and San Mateo City as ambassadors. Two are selected to travel to Toyonaka, Japan, and up to two alternates will remain in San Mateo to act as host ambassadors.
The San Mateo Sister City Association is responsible for this program. The San Mateo City Council supports the program. The Association raises funds to help defray the cost of sending San Mateo students to Japan.
The two students selected will visit Toyonaka, Japan, for 10 days during the summer. Exact dates will be determined in the Spring based on the schedule of Toyonaka and flight availability. Each student will live with host families while in Toyonaka and they will be treated as family members. There will always be someone with the students who speaks English. Prior to their departure to Toyonaka, the San Mateo student ambassadors will have a basic orientation on traveling to Japan and a review of the activities that they will be expected to participate in while in Toyonaka.
The host ambassadors remain in San Mateo to be part of the organizing committee planning the program for the Toyonaka students visiting San Mateo. This includes participating in San Mateo City functions affiliated with the San Mateo Sister City Association.
