Sister City Fukuroi Student Delegation

Visit Fukuroi, Japan.

Students, Apply NOW!

Students in 10 - 12 grade are invited to apply for a week-long cultural exchange to Hillsboro's Sister City, Fukuroi, Japan happening in June, 2025.

Two chaperones from the City of Hillsboro will accompany ten students as they visit:

• historic and cultural sites
• gardens and farms
• a sports stadium
• a local school
  

The trip will finish with stop in Tokyo before heading home to Hillsboro.

Hear From a 2017 Fukuroi Delegate

Apply to be a Delegate

The application process is now open.

To be eligible, applicants must be entering in their 10th, 11th, or 12th grade year in a Hillsboro high school and/or live in Hillsboro city limits. Applications are due by January 15, 2025, and will be reviewed and scored based on several qualification categories, including community involvement and interest in civic engagement.

After reviewing applications, a portion of candidates may be asked to participate in an interview process in late January. Selections will be announced in late January to early February. The delegation is a maximum of ten students.

Why Travel to Fukuroi, Japan

A visit to our Sister City offers students the opportunity to experience another culture, gain a broader perspective on the world, develop independence, boost confidence, and build new friendships.

Education

Student exchanges are all about building friendships among future leaders and opening doors to new knowledge. They offer a chance to experience different cultures firsthand and grow as individuals through short-term stays with host families—not as a tourist, but as a welcomed guest.

Culture

Student exchanges are a great way to connect with people from different backgrounds while gaining a deeper understanding of their history, values, and way of life.

Economic

Hillsboro already enjoys strong trade connections with Japan, and our Sister City affiliation adds an exciting new way to explore and expand those economic ties even further.

Estimated Cost

Final costs will be determined after airfare has been purchased. The best estimate at this time is a cost of approximately $3000 per student based on the following:

• $1,700 - $2,300 estimated airfare
• $160 - $180 estimated ground costs in Japan (transportation, admissions, etc.)
• Passport fees range $135-$165
• Spending money
• Additionally, each student should plan to bring a few gifts for their host families.

Please do not let the cost be a deterrent to applying. City staff is working on funding alternatives. Information will be shared as it becomes available.

About Fukuroi, Japan

Fukuroi is a blend of old and new. Its ancient history dates back to 15,000 BCE. It established itself as a municipality on November 3, 1958. Fukuroi is located in the Shizuoka prefecture, which is the home of the famed Mt. Fuji and is a quick 240 km on the bullet train to Tokyo.

In the fall of 1988, the City of Hillsboro reached a formal Sister City agreement with Fukuroi, Japan. A signature element of the friendship is a student exchange between the two cities.

Learn more about Hillsboro's Sister City, Fukuroi, Japan.