Current Exchanges
We received many applications and made the cut to the 8 students that will represent Berkeley in the 2026 Berkeley-Sakai Student Exchange. The students started monthly meetings in September, 2025 to cover history, culture, food, language, and other aspects of Japanese life so they can excel as our ambassadors. The trip will take place in July, 2026.
Our 2019 Student Exchange had students and chaperones visiting from Sakai July 26 -31, 2019. Seven high school students, one college student and three chaperones from Sakai participated and stayed with Berkeley/Bay Area host families and Berkeley-Sakai Association members. The exchange included a welcome get together, BBQ and pool party, host family day, a visit to Pixar Studio, a walk to the mid-span of the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, a visit with Berkeley's Mayor and tour of the UC Berkeley campus. On the final night, we enjoyed a farewell pizza party with Sakai visitors and host families playing guitars and signing Japanese and American songs. It was a fabulous student exchange, enjoyed by us all.
Click on the picture below to see a slide show of the student exchange.
Click on the picture below to see a video from the student exchange sayonara party.
2024 EXCHANGE - Berkeley Students visit Sakai!!
6 students and 3 chaperones traveled to Sakai, Japan for 13 days during the summer of 2024 (late July to early August).
Are you interested in Japanese culture? Have you ever wanted to visit Japan as a student ambassador representing Berkeley and the Berkeley-Sakai Association? Do you know that Berkeley has a sister city relationship with Sakai, Japan? We are looking for students who would be interested in participating in a student exchange to Sakai in July 2024. If interested, please fill out this Interest Form or email a Berkeley-Sakai Board Member.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Exchanges are cancelled. We are planning now for a 2024 exchange from Berkeley to Sakai.
