MINOKAMO STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications for Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) Sister City Exchange Program with Minokamo, Japan is now open.
Students aged 15 to 18 who attend high school in the DRC Local Government Area can apply, along with adults interested in chaperoning the group.
Selected students and chaperones will experience life in Japan by living abroad for two weeks and being hosted by families who live in Dubbo’s Sister City.
The Sister City Exchange Program provides the experience of a lifetime where students learn about Japanese culture first-hand and the day-to-day life of a different community.
Sister City Officer Daisy Wang said 10 student positions are available for the Minokamo Exchange Program and two chaperone positions.
“We encourage interested students and chaperones to apply and experience this unique opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and customs,” Ms Wang said.
The Sister City Exchange Program runs during the September school holidays from 28 September to 11 October 2025. The trip includes three nights and two days in Tokyo, touring the city and visiting Tokyo Disneyland as well as a homestay with a local Minokamo family.
“Successful student applicants will attend school abroad and see what school is like in Japan where they will have the opportunity to make new friends,” Ms Wang said.
This Sister City Exchange Program aims to be affordable, with Council providing a subsidy of $1,000 to each successful student and chaperone applicant to offset airfares and travel costs.
“The cost to participate in the Exchange Program is affordable. There are very few accommodation costs as students will stay with local families which also provides them with a support base during their stay and a close-up experience of the host family’s different traditions and customs,” Ms Wang said.
The Sister City Exchange Program is reciprocal, with all participating Dubbo Region exchange students and their chaperones hosting a visitor from Minokamo in July/August 2025 when the exchange group visit Dubbo.
Applications for the Sister City Exchange program are now open and close 28 April (for students) and 21 April (for chaperones).
For more information and to apply, visit www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/Community-Groups/Community-Awards-and-Tours/sister-city-student-exchange
Last Edited: 14 Mar 2025