2025 High School Student Ambassador Program
The San Francisco-Osaka Sister City Association is proud to offer an opportunity of a lifetime to two San Francisco high school students through our annual High School Student Ambassador Program. This program is funded with the support of corporate sponsors and individual donors in the San Francisco Bay Area, including former participants of the program and their families.
PURPOSE: To enable two San Francisco high school students to gain an understanding of the people and culture of Japan through the practical experience of living with Japanese families in our sister city of Osaka, Japan, and to serve as Student Ambassadors for the City of San Francisco.
REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must be a high school student (9th, 10th, or 11th grade student) in the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 school year, either residing in and/or attending a public or private high school in San Francisco. Unfortunately, due to some post-trip obligations that can only be completed in San Francisco in Fall 2025, no graduating seniors (Class of 2025) are eligible to apply.
There are no language requirements to apply; however, it is highly preferred that the student has a basic knowledge of conversational Japanese. Successful applicants must conduct him/herself appropriately as Student Ambassadors while in Japan.
A "Student Ambassador" is expected to perform the following duties:
● Holding the position of Student Ambassador for a period of one year.
● Being a role model and leader, maintaining respectful and professional character at all times.
● Serving as a spokesperson and promoting awareness of the sister city relationship and the Student Ambassador Program through participation in events and activities around the San Francisco Bay Area.
● Coordinating activities not only on behalf of the SF-Osaka Sister City Association, but also in collaboration/partnership with other organizations.
Mandatory requirements include participating in:
● Orientation & a send-off luncheon prior to the trip.
● Events and activities arranged while in Osaka.
● Post-trip in-person oral presentation.
● Orientation for next year's Student Ambassadors.
● A minimum of 10 service hours (or 2-3 events) for the year.
AWARDS: Two students will be awarded round-trip tickets from San Francisco to Osaka. The students will be guests of host families in Osaka and will participate in family-oriented activities during their stay. The two students and their families will also be awarded free membership to the San Francisco-Osaka Sister City Association for one year.
DATES: Duration of three weeks, beginning early July (around July 7) to late July (to be confirmed).
APPLICATION: Submit an (1) online application which includes an essay (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfty4QvlEQ6LbQL6e-_VPpoFxfk7FiphFyUMKmD9Uts1yF-rA/viewform?usp=sharing), and (2) the consent form, available for download here. The essay must be no more than 500 words and double-spaced with the name of the applicant and school clearly indicated on all pages. Email your completed consent form signed by you and your parent to: sfosakasistercityassociation@gmail.com.
DEADLINE: All parts of the application, including the consent form, MUST be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, April 7. Receipt confirmation will be sent by email; if you do not hear from us, please email sfosakasisterassociation@gmail.com and Executive Director, (msack@mofo.com), to ensure our receipt of your application. Late applications will NOT be considered.
INTERVIEW: Those who are selected for an in-person interview will be contacted about their scheduled interview times via email. Unfortunately, interviews CANNOT be scheduled outside of the times below, so please plan accordingly. The two final scholarship winners will be announced a few days following the interview.
All interviews will be conducted in San Francisco as follows: Wednesday, April 23, 5:30-6:45 pm and Friday, April 25. 5-7 pm.
For questions or concerns, contact sfosakasistercityassociation@gmail.com or Executive Director Misako Sack (msack@mofo.com).
