Travelers
TRAVEL INFORMATION Each year the Sister Cities of Greenfield organization chooses a group of current 8th grade through 11th grade students from Greenfield-Central Schools and adults to travel to our Sister City, Kakuda, Japan.
Adults must meet the following criteria in order to apply: 1) Be an employee of the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation; 2) Be employed by Hitachi Astemo; 3) Be an employee of the City of Greenfield, 4) Be a current Sister Cities of Greenfield board member, or 5) Be a former host family adult aged 22 or over.
While in Kakuda, Japan, the wing members will live with host families for approximately ten days.
While in Japan, the students learn and experience, firsthand, the culture of another country. They will tour Japanese schools and businesses, as well as, meet with city government officials. The students will also speak to a number of groups during their stay. Many times, they will answer questions from their Japanese student counterparts about American lifestyles. The students also will enjoy wonderful, fantastic sightseeing trips and festivities. At the end of the trip, the students visit one of the world’s largest cities: Tokyo.
Many students and adults who have traveled to Japan through this exchange in the past have commented that this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The value of firsthand experience with a different culture, as well as how the USA is viewed from another country cannot be understated. While the Sister City program realizes that the events in our nation and world within the past few years have changed our lives, we believe it is important to continue to offer this cultural exchange program.
Costs for this once-in-a-lifetime experience are minimal. Many expenses are paid through donations by local business and civic organizations. All participants must pay a fee of approximately $850. A $250 deposit is due within two weeks of the offer to travel and the remainder is due when we confirm the travel arrangements, usually in April. Not paying on time could forfeit your opportunity to travel. Travelers are also responsible for obtaining a passport and other travel expenses, as well as providing any spending money they wish to take. While in Kakuda, most meals are provided.
The current travel schedule for the Greenfield delegation is planned for June 2025. Student and chaperone applications are only available on the Sister Cities of Greenfield website at sistercitiesofgreenfield.org. Applications must be submitted by Saturday, December 31, 2024.
Selected students and chaperones will be called for an interview with the selection committee, and participants will be chosen in February 2025. Those selected will be required to attend a series of language and culture classes in April and May in order to prepare for their trip. Participants will be responsible to attend all classes with one excused absence. Failure to attend may eliminate your opportunity to travel. Please note: during the following year, the wing delegation will also represent Sister Cities of Greenfield, Inc. at area civic meetings and will present and speak publicly about their Sister City experience.
The Sister City travel experience is available only to Greenfield-Central students who will return to G-CHS or G-CJHS for the full school year following the trip. Students who move or otherwise fail to return may be held responsible for the sponsored portion of their travel expenses (Up to $3,000)
For further information, please email fundraising@sistercitiesofgreenfield.org.
