TORRANCE, CA & KASHIWA, JAPAN

Student Exchange

2025 student Ambassadors

Noah, Redondo Union High School
Nathan, South High School
Kai, West High School
Artemis, Torrance High School
Isa, Bishop Montgomery High School
Grace, South High School
Mason, CA Academy of Math and Science
And Clay, Adult Leader

2026 Student Exchange Application is now open
Click here to see more information
STUDENT RECOMMENDATION FORM, click here.

Send questions about applying or the program to: tscaexchange@gmail.com

Click here to see past exchange videos.

A. WHAT
The annual student cultural exchange program with Kashiwa, Japan.

B. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Torrance and its sister city, Kashiwa, Japan, have had many rewarding civic, educational, and cultural exchanges since February 20, 1973, when the two cities became affiliated. Under this program, over the past fifty years, the Torrance Sister City Association has sponsored hundreds of exchange students.

C. QUALIFICATIONS
1. Any high school student who is a sophomore, junior or senior at the time of applying. (19-year-old maximum age at the time of the trip.)
2. The student must be a FULL-TIME resident of the City of Torrance.
3. The student must be mature enough to benefit from the experience and be a creditable Ambassador representing the Torrance Sister City Association, the City of Torrance, and the United States of
America.
4. The applicant must be a student in good academic standing at his/her school.
5. The student must be interested in learning about Japanese customs, culture, and language. This trip is far more than a vacation in a foreign country; it’s a cultural experience!
6. If selected, the student’s family must be able to host a Kashiwa student in their home for 10-12 days during August.

D. EXPECTATIONS OF ALL APPLICANTS
1. Each applicant and his/her family are expected to attend an Alumni Reunion potluck luncheon hosted the TSCA on Saturday, January 10, 2026. At this luncheon the applicants and their families
will meet many TSCA members, including former exchange students, and learn more about the student exchange program.
2. Each applicant and his/her parents will be interviewed by the Student Selection Committee during a weekend in January, beginning at 8 a.m.
3. Each applicant is expected to participate in TSCA scheduled selection activities during January, February, and March. If selected, additional activities will follow throughout the spring and summer.
4. Each applicant’s family is required to submit a TSCA family membership application and dues of $40.00 when the student applies for the Exchange Program. Make check payable to: TSCA. Alternately, electronic payment accepted on membership page of website.

E. EXPECTATIONS OF SELECTED STUDENTS – REQUIRED ACTIVITIES
1. Each student and his/her parents must participate in Bunka Sai, a festival of Japanese culture (the major fund-raising event for TSCA). This is a three-day event starting Friday, April 17,
2026 evening, Saturday, April 18, 2026, and Sunday, April 19, 2026.
2. Prior to departing for Japan, each student shall attend ALL orientation meetings (approx. 8) whichcover the language, customs, clothing, protocol, etiquette, behavior, etc. in Japan, as well as facts about the City of Torrance. Attendance is mandatory, and active participation is required.
3. Each student is expected to participate in activities planned for the Kashiwa exchange students visiting Torrance in August. Most admission costs for students to attend events will be paid by TSCA.
4. Each student and his/her parents shall sign 1) Memorandum of Understanding detailing their obligations; 2) a letter of permission to participate in the program; and 3) a medical release form. Host parents and others in the home over age 18 will be required to undergo a background check with fingerprints.

F. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
1. The student’s portion of the airfare shall be $1200, payable in two checks ($600) at the first and last orientation session.
2. The TSCA is to provide the balance of the airfare costs and all expenses related to the three-day tour of other areas in Japan.
3. The student shall provide his/her own spending money during the three-week stay in Japan, as well as gifts for their host families.
4. The student must possess a current, valid passport at least 60 days before leaving for Japan. Passport must also be valid for at least six months from the departure date (January 2027 or later). Please indicate expiry date. If a visa is also required, the student is responsible for obtaining such visa.

G. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION
1. The TSCA Student Selection Committee will review all applications.
2. The applicants and their families shall attend the Alumni Reunion potluck luncheon in January.
3. The Committee will interview applicants and their parents on a scheduled weekend in January. See Calendar of Applicant Activities below.
4. Committee member(s) will conduct a home visit interview with each applicant and his/her family during the month of February.
5. The applicants shall participate in all the scheduled activities during January, February and March.
6. Final selections will be made by the Committee in early March, and delegates notified.

H. CRITERIA FOR STUDENT SELECTION
1. A sincere interest in Japanese culture, language and customs.
2. A willingness to participate in all TSCA pre-selection activities and related exchange activities throughout the program.
3. Good citizenship.
4. The ability to handle new or stressful situations gracefully.
5. The ability to get along with others and work together.
(

 

Revised 10/25

Our Torrance ambassadors arrived in Kashiwa on July 9th to begin their “trip of a lifetime” and spent time with students at Kashiwa Municipal High School (KMHS) on July 11th.
They learned how to play taiko, took a judo lesson, and enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony performed by KMHS students.