2026 Student Exchange Application, Information and Timeline

Student Exchange Application Due no later than May 5 (form is below)
Teacher Recommendation

Students from Pendleton High School and Nixyaawii Community School are eligible to apply to be student ambassadors for the program. While the group is in Japan, they and their chaperone will participate in the experience of a lifetime.  They stay with host families and participate in activities, such as tours, high school visits, and learn about the history and culture of the Soma Nomaoi Samurai Horse Festival (now takes place in May). When the Japanese students come to Pendleton in August, our student ambassadors will host Japanese students and/or participate in some of the Pendleton activities. The Japanese students can be seen throughout the community during their two-week visit.

2026 Exchange Program Timeline

• May 5, 2025 – Application Due.
• May 10 – Student interviews at BMCC, Pioneer Hall, Room 101
• May 10 – Students contacted with results.

• August 2025  – Japanese students visit Pendleton. Host and/or participate in some activities with Japanese students.
• October 1, 2025 – $600 deposit, Consent to Travel form, and passports or proof of passport submission due.
• May 2025- June 2026 – Weekly/Monthly/Bi-Monthly meetings for Japanese language and culture training and fundraising with Chaperone.
• July 2026– Trip to Japan (plus or minus 2 days on either side)
• August 2026  – Japanese students visit Pendleton. Host and/or participate in some activities with Japanese students.
• August to December 2026 – Participate in program outreach and fundraising to replenish Pendleton Cultural Foundation funds.

Cost and Fundraising

Depending on air fare, the cost for going to Japan is approximately $2,000 per person for this exchange. Each student will personally contribute $600, which is non-refundable after the plane tickets are purchased. Each student MUST participate in each fundraising activity, or make other approved arrangements with the chaperone, prior to an event. The chaperone, selected students and families, and members of the Pendleton Cultural Foundation will organize the fundraising program each year. The Pendleton Cultural Foundation has scholarships or fundraising assistance available for any selected student for whom cost would be a barrier to participation.

Student/Family Responsibilities

• If the student does not have a current passport, the student and student’s parents must apply for a passport by October 1, 2025. (A copy of the student’s passport or proof of application must be submitted to the chaperone by October 1, 2025.)
• Students must pay a $600 deposit by October 1, 2025 (Checks made payable to Pendleton Cultural Foundation).
• Attend regular meetings with the chaperone.
• Participate in outreach and fundraising activities through December of 2025.
• Return a “Consent to Travel” form by October 1, 2025 (to chaperone).
• Host a Japanese student in August of 2025 and 2026 and/or be involved with the activities of Japanese students while they are in Pendleton. 

Student Expectations while in Japan

• Students are selected as Ambassadors of their community: Pendleton, Oregon, and the United States. As such, they are expected to adhere to a level of behavior befitting that role.
• Students are required to participate in all organized activities while in Japan.
• Students will live with a Japanese host family; they will eat the meals provided, participate in activities that the family organizes, and generally be a member of that family. Students will have little to no free time apart from their family or the exchange group.

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Name *

First

Last

Email *

Student Phone # *

Parent/Guardian Name(s) & Phone Number(s)

Expected Graduation Year

future an

Do you currently hae a US Passport *

• Yes
• No

If no, will you apply for an expedited passport immediately if you are selected as an exchange student *

• Yes
• No
• N/A, I already have a passport

Do you have any specific questions about the terms listed on this form, or the program?

What are your future plans and ambitions concerning your education and future career? Why? *

What do you specifically hope to accomplish and learn as an Exchange Student? *

We all dislike certain things. List those things which you dislike. (e.g., What kind of foods, certain animals, certain treatment by other people, etc.) *

List what you feel are your strong characteristics *

List what you feel are your weak characteristics *

Describe a time in your life when you were in an uncomfortable situation and how you dealt with it. *

What impression of Pendleton and the United States in general do you hope to make on the people you meet in Japan? How will you do that? *

How do you think you can share the knowledge you will learn in Japan with the people and/or students in Pendleton? *

Do you agree with the terms and conditions as described on this form? *

• Yes
• No

Submit

Teacher Recommendation: Please provide at least one recommendation from a teacher or adult, non-family member (Youth group leader, athletic coach, etc.).