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 2026. If interested, please email Berkeley-Sakai at
2026 EXCHANGE - Berkeley Students Visit Sakai
We are starting the planning for our 2026 Exchange Trip.
The Berkeley-Sakai Association is making arrangements for 6 students and 2 chaperones to travel to Sakai, Japan for about 10 days during the summer of 2026 (either the end of July or beginning of August), with possible side trips to Kyoto, Nara and/or Tokyo. Berkeley students will stay with host families in Sakai and in hotels when visiting other cities overnight. Requirements include a US passport valid for at least 6 months after August 2026, attendance at monthly meetings, a group presentation in Sakai (to be organized by student participants), and willingness to host a Sakai student the following year. Cost per student has been approximately $2800 for airfare, hotel and food. Full or partial scholarships may be available to students based upon need.
We are now taking applications, will be making selections in Summer, and will start meeting as a group in Fall 2025.
If you are interested in this program, please email
We are always looking for scholarship donations to help our students go on the exchange. Please donate to the Fern Harger Student Exchange Scholarship Fund