Lomita Sister City Association
Building cultural bridges with Takaishi, Japan since 1981
Become a Student Ambassador
Ready for the experience of a lifetime? Learn how you can represent Lomita in Japan as a Student Ambassador!
Program Requirements
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You must be a student
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You must be at least 15-22 years of age (at the time of application)
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You must be interested in learning about Japanese customs, culture, and language
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You must be a legal U.S. resident
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You must live, work, or perform community service in or near Lomita
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You must have a “C” average. (2.0 GPA)
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You must be willing to participate in ALL LSCA activities and become a member
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You must commit to being a host family
Your Experience in Japan
What you will do and experience in Japan differs from trip to trip. However, you will visit many cultural sites, such as temples and shrines, as well as public works in Takaishi. Some examples of activities from past exchanges include:
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine ( 伏見稲荷大社)
Known for its miles of torii arches and makes for some beautiful, striking pictures that just make you think of traditional Japan.
Tea Ceremony
Experience the beauty of Japanese tradition through a formal tea ceremony. Student ambassadors learn the art of mindfulness, hospitality, and cultural etiquette in this serene and meaningful practice.
Kinkaku-ji ( 金閣寺 )
A Bhuddist temple in Kyoto, Japan. It is known as the Golden Temple or Golden Pavillion because it is covered in pure gold leaf.
Takaishi Fire Station
Get an inside look at how emergency services operate in Japan! A tour of the local fire station offers students a hands-on, cross-cultural view of public safety and community service. You might even get to play dress up for a day!
The famous deer in Nara
The deer are people friendly and so you can feed them, pet them, and take pictures with them! If you are lucky you might even get a great selfie with them!
Dōtonbori
No trip to Osaka is complete without a visit to Dotonbori! With its bright lights, street food, and iconic sights, this bustling district gives student ambassadors a taste of modern Japanese culture and fun.
Next Student Exchange
We are excited to announce that the next student exchange trip to our sister city, Takaishi, Osaka, Japan, will take place in July 2025!
High school students from Lomita will travel to Japan as cultural ambassadors, staying with host families, participating in local school and city events, and experiencing the rich traditions of Japanese life.
Applications for student ambassadors are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who applied!
If you're interested in joining a future exchange, check back in late fall or early winter for information on becoming a host family—it's the first step toward securing your spot for our 2027 exchange program and is a meaningful way to experience cultural exchange right from home and form lifelong international friendships.
Exchange Timeline
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Be a Host Family
The summer before our exchange to Japan, Lomita families host student ambassadors from Takaishi. Hosting is a key part of the exchange experience and gives families a chance to build early connections with our Sister City.
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Application
Applications open in late fall to early winter before the exchange year. Students must submit all required forms and paperwork by the deadline and will take part in an interview with the LSCA board and chaperone in early spring. Priority is given to students from families who hosted the previous summer. Students who haven’t hosted yet are expected to do so the following year.
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Go on Exchange
In the summer, selected Student Ambassadors travel to Takaishi for 10-15 days of cultural exchange, home-stays, and unforgettable experiences as representatives of Lomita!
Preparing for Exchange
Once selected as a Student Ambassador, participants will receive a comprehensive orientation guidebook and attend a series of group orientation meetings designed to help them prepare for the cultural exchange experience.
These sessions cover:
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Japanese customs, etiquette, and daily life
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What to expect when living with a host family
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Travel logistics and packing tips
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Cultural presentation planning and ambassador responsibilities
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Safety, communication, and representing Lomita abroad
Our goal is to ensure students feel confident, informed, and ready to make the most of this unforgettable opportunity.
