Japanese Students, Chaperones Arriving In Livermore As Part Of Sister City Exchange Program

LIVERMORE, CA — Students, chaperones, and delegates from Yotsukaido, Livermore’s Japanese sister city, will spend a week in Livermore as part of a 25-year-old exchange program.

Since 2001, the Livermore Yotsukaido Sister City Organization has arranged homestay and cultural exchange programs between the two cities. In October, Livermore students and chaperones spent a week in Yotsukaido, where they attended school and explored the surrounding area. On March 13, 20 middle school students, five adult chaperones, and 14 delegates will arrive in Livermore to stay with local families, attend their schools, and explore the wider Bay Area.

The visitors will spend three days at their host students’ schools, which include Valley Montessori, Mendenhall, East Avenue, Joe Michell, and Junction middle schools. Outside of school, visitors will join their host families’ daily activities and participate in special activities planned by the school, students, and parent organizations. All visitors will enjoy a day in San Francisco, where they’ll ride a cable car and visit the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39.

“I have made friends that will last a lifetime from my experiences with our Yotsukaido sister city. Friends, I now call my extended family. We are able to enjoy each other’s company, share our lives, and know that we’ll be there for each other,” said Keith Jess, president of the Livermore-Yotsukaido Sister City Organization, who has traveled to Japan 12 times.

Since 1977, Livermore has been a sister city to Yotsukaido, a city about an hour’s drive east of Tokyo with a similar population and socioeconomic profile to Livermore. In early spring, Livermore middle school students will be able to apply to visit Yotsukaido as part of the October exchange.

For more information, visit the Livermore Yotsukaido Sister City Organization website, or contact President Keith Jess at lysco2014@gmail.com.

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• Livermore Students, Chaperones Leave For Japan As Part Of Sister-City Exchange