The Detroit Sister Cities Program seeks high school students who reside in Detroit to visit Toyota City, Japan for two weeks during the summer. Preference is given to Detroit residents, however individuals who live outside Detroit are considered.
The families of the selected exchange students must agree to serve as hosts for the Detroit Sister Cities Program. Participants are responsible for their airfare and spending money. Once in Japan, meals, accommodations and activities will be taken care of by the Toyota government or the host families. Each participant including the chaperones will stay with a host family.
While in Japan, the delegation will get a first-hand look at life in Japan. During the group’s stay, the Toyota City government provides activities mostly during the weekdays, reserving the weekends and evenings for host family activities. The tentative dates for the program are July 14-29.
The selection process includes completion of an application (including a school transcript and essay) and an interview by a selection committee. Background checks also are part of the selection process.
Preference is given to students who are in their last two years of high school or whose families have hosted a student from Japan in the past. However, past participation in the Detroit-Toyota Sister Cities Program does not guarantee selection as an exchange student or chaperone.
For more information, contact Rose Love at (313) 850-1940 or lover@detroitmi.gov.
Sister Cities Flyer 2026 – Student Recruitment
Detroit Sister Cities Program Details and Application Instructions 2026