2026 San Francisco High School Student Ambassador Program
The San Francisco-Osaka Sister City Association is proud to offer an opportunity of a lifetime to two high school students in San Francisco through our annual High School Student Ambassador Program.
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 & County of San Francisco.
REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must be a high school student (9th, 10th, or 11th grade student) in the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 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 2026, graduating seniors (Class of 2026) are not 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 themselves appropriately as Student Ambassadors while in Japan.
A "Student Ambassador" is expected to perform the following duties:
● Hold the position of Student Ambassador for a period of one year.
● Be a role model/leader who maintains respect and professionalism at all times.
● Serve as a spokesperson to promote awareness of the sister city relationship and the Student Ambassador Program by participating in events and activities around the
San Francisco Bay Area.
● Coordinate activities on behalf of the SF-Osaka Sister City Association and in collaboration/partnership with other organizations, including high schools.
Mandatory requirements include participating in:
● Orientation session and a separate 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.
● Hosting Student Ambassadors from Osaka in March of next year, either for a homestay or visitor activities.
● 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 through our partner non-profit San Francisco-Osaka Youth Connect (SOYNET, an organization with primarily senior members so a website is not available) 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, between late June to late July 2026 to be confirmed at a later date by our hosts based in Osaka. Applicants MUST be available during this timeframe. If you already have solid plans during this time, do not apply to this program.
APPLICATION: There are 2 required documents.
(1) Submit an online application which includes an essay on the following topic,
Select a person, past or present, whom you admire. Explain what you admire about this person and how your selection relates to your interest in the High School Ambassador Program and going to Osaka, Japan this summer.
The essay must be no more than 300 words and double-spaced.
(2) Download and print the consent form, available for download here. Applicant and parent/guardian must sign the printed consent form. Scan and email your consent form to: sfosakasistercityassociation@gmail.com. If you have any questions, please email Executive Director, Misako Sack at msack@mofo.com.
INTERVIEW: As part of your application, you are required to state your availability for a 10-minute interview with the Selection Committee. Unfortunately, interviews CANNOT be scheduled outside of the times below, so please plan accordingly. Not all applicants will be interviewed. All interviews will be conducted in Japantown as follows:
● Monday, May 18, 4-6 pm
● Tuesday, May 19, 4-5:30 pm.
The two final scholarship winners will be announced a few days following the interview.
DEADLINE: All parts of the application, including the consent form, MUST be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 10 to sfosakasistercityassociation@gmail.com.
Receipt confirmation will be sent by email. If you do not hear from us, please email Misako Sack, msack@mofo.com, to ensure our receipt of your application.
Late applications will NOT be considered.
For questions, please contact sfosakasistercityassociation@gmail.com.
