The Edmonds Sister City Commission has two different exchange programs with their Sister City of Hekinan, Japan: 1) Student Exchange 2) Adult Exchange.
The 2025 student exchange trip has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Check back in late October/early November 2025 for updated information.
View video highlights of the 2024 student exchange here.
Student Exchanges: For over 32 years, in late July/early August, the Edmonds Sister City Commission has sent a delegation of students, along with a chaperone(s), to our Sister City of Hekinan, Japan for a 10-13 day homestay. And, in mid to late August, Hekinan has sent a delegation of students, along with a chaperone(s), to Edmonds for 10-13 day homestay.
To be eligible students must: 1) be between the ages of 14 - 18 2) be in good standing in all of their classes 3) be able to host a student during the Hekinan delegation's stay in Edmonds 4) be pay for their airfare 5) pay $400.00 which goes towards the chaperone(s) airfare 6) provide their own spending money.
Chaperone eligibility requirements: 1) must be a certified teacher, or school administrator 2) have experience leading groups of students 3) able to fulfill the time commitment for the trip, orientation meetings, and a presentation to the City Council after the trip.
Over the years this remarkable program has enriched the lives of hundreds of Edmonds and Hekinan students and their families, along with dozens of area teachers and volunteers who have acted as chaperones.
The application process for students opens every year in November and runs through February.
The application process for chaperones opens in October and runs through mid-January.
During that time, a link to the application packets can be found on this webpage, or obtained by contacting the Mayor's Office by phone at 425.771.0247, or by emailing Carolyn LaFave.
Adult Anniversary Exchanges: These exchanges take place every five years in the spring. Typically, delegates stay in homes providing them with opportunities to meet residents and business owners and experience the respective culture first-hand. Hotel stays are available. Itineraries for these visits include a Sister City Reception and an Anniversary Ceremony for the founding of the City of Hekinan. The next Anniversary Exchange is scheduled for April 2028. For more information please contact the Commission.
Host family opportunities: The Commission is always looking for great host families for our adult anniversary exchanges. Host families play a very important role in our exchange program and enable us to continue this 27+-year tradition. If you and your family would like to experience this cross-cultural interaction, please let us know by contacting the Commission.