We are excited to announce that students from our sister city, Bizen, Japan, will be visiting Menlo Park this summer from July 30 to August 5. This visit marks the first such exchange since 2019 and continues our cherished every-other-year tradition that began in 2015.

This year, a group of Japanese high school students will be exploring Menlo Park and the Bay Area. The COVID-19 pandemic had previously disrupted this enriching cultural exchange, but we were pleased to resume visits last year with Menlo Park students traveling to Bizen.

The Menlo Park Sister Cities Association is currently seeking host families who can provide a welcoming home to these students during their stay. Preference is for host families with students aged 13-18 years old. Hosting responsibilities are light, as the students will spend most of their time engaging in scheduled activities and tours throughout the Bay Area.

Hosting is a rewarding experience that fosters long-lasting friendships. Many of our past host families have not only formed close bonds with the students they welcomed but have also had the opportunity to visit Japan as part of the Menlo Park delegation in following years.

If you are interested in becoming a host family and making a lasting impact through cultural exchange, please contact us at info@menloparksistercities.org. We look forward to your participation in this wonderful tradition and to the new connections that will continue to enrich our community.