Teen ambassadors from Bizen, Japan, are coming to Menlo Park this summer for the Menlo Park Sister Cities (MPSC) Exchange from July 21-26. Eight to 10 ambassadors and two chaperones will get to discover Menlo Park’s history, try new foods, visit various Bay Area attractions and landmarks, and learn about a new culture. Last summer, nine Menlo Park teens traveled to Bizen for one week. Every year, the exchange alternates between Bizen and Menlo Park.
A sister city is a formal partnership between two cities in different countries that enriches cultural, commercial, and educational ties. The Menlo Park Sister City Program was established in 2015, and in 2021, the Menlo Park Sister Cities Association (MPSC) was formed to further spread cultural enrichment. MPSC has two sister cities: Bizen, Japan, and Galway, Ireland.
Ethan Cohn, the language interpreter for the Bizen Sister Cities Association, is traveling with the Bizen ambassadors to Menlo Park this summer. “This will be my first time taking a group from Bizen to my home country, so I feel like I will be in a unique position as an ambassador for both sides, to some degree,” he said. “Learning about different cultures firsthand is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to expanding your understanding of the world. It’s beneficial for your educational and professional future, but also your personal growth.”
MPSC is looking for host families with kids ages 12-18 for the Bizen ambassadors this summer to apply by March 28. Host families provide breakfast, dinner, and housing for the kids. In addition, they pick up and drop off the exchange students at the MPSC meeting area for their day activities. They also host a special full day activity where they get to take the ambassadors wherever they like. “The host families just provide accommodations, breakfast, and dinner for the students and chaperones. During the day, they [Japanese student ambassadors] are out and about doing activities, and they’re super busy,” MPSC Secretary Anna Enerio said.
MPSC typically has seven to eight host families housing two children or a single chaperone. Menlo Park resident Yuri Minn hosted two boys from Bizen for the 2024 exchange. Through the experience, the Bizen students were able to connect with her kids and learn about local Bay Area culture. For Minn’s chosen host family full-day activity, they went to Santa Cruz Boardwalk and enjoyed the rides, games, and the beach. “They [Bizen ambassadors] were kind of shy at first, but once our boys figured out some commonalities like games, they became more open,” Minn said.
Host families have the opportunity to be involved in the exchange for two years, as they have the chance to send their children to Bizen next year. Minn’s son went to the Bizen exchange last summer. “I think that the thing that I really enjoyed was that my son Lucas still keeps in touch with one of them [Bizen ambassador], even now. It was fun for him to go back and see him in 2025,” Minn said.
La Entrada Middle School eighth-grader Lizzie Way’s family hosted three girls for the Bizen exchange in 2024 and plans to host again this summer. “As a 13-year-old at the time, having never been to Japan, I found it really interesting to host the students because they showed me things that are totally different from American culture,” Way said. “Especially because we are all similar in age, we got along great and I had so much fun talking with them for hours about life—everything from teachers and friends to sports and art.” Way enjoyed taking the ambassadors to her favorite places and seeing them try new things. “I loved seeing their reactions to the crazy ice cream flavors, giant burgers, and unique clothing styles,” Way said.
Way traveled to Bizen this past summer and reunited with the girls she hosted in 2024. “The year when my family hosted, one of the girls and I became really close, especially through our love for drawing. In 2025, I got to stay with her and her family, which I absolutely loved,” she said. “Traveling back and staying with them rekindled our friendship and we still text every week.”
Way and Minn both advise host families to immerse themselves in a new culture. “I think that [host families] have to want to have somebody with a different culture that might not have the same routines or mannerisms. I think that it’s always nice to interact with people from other places,” Minn said.
Minn noted that Google Translate was a helpful tool for communication. “It took a little bit of adjustment just because their English was pretty minimal. They were able to type stuff into Google Translate and that’s how the [Japanese] boys communicated with our boys,” Minn said. Similarly, Way had to find ways to communicate. “It is such a unique experience to have a lack of communication and express yourself by showing pictures, pointing to stuff, or playing a game of charades,” Way said.
Interested host families fill out an application survey, asking for details on household size, accommodations, pets, and interests. Once they fill out the application, families will be notified of their status by April 4. Then, selected host families will attend a meeting about expectations and details. “We let them know who they are going to be hosting. We have sheets for each family so they get to know who they are hosting, what their likes are, and if they have any allergies,” Enerio said.
This summer, Cohn is excited to exchange culture and build international relationships, especially through traditions such as music. “The students of Bizen and Menlo Park have a unique chance to build lifelong friendships and grow as individuals, and I am always proud to see that happening before my eyes every time we send or receive a delegation,” Cohn said.
Enerio looks forward to welcoming a new group of Bizen ambassadors. “This is going to be my third time with the organization, so I’m really excited to have the kids come over once more. It’s always fun to see their views on Menlo Park and America because for many, these are first time trips to America and even abroad,” Enerio said.
Host family applications are due on March 28, and applicants are notified by April 4. Contact [email protected] for more information.
