APPLY JAPAN AMBASSADOR

The City of Chula Vista's International Friendship Commission is now accepting applications for the 2026 Youth Ambassador Exchange Program with Chula Vista's sister city Odawara, Japan.

A sister city is an officially recognized, long-term partnership that promotes cultural exchange and collaboration among local government, businesses and residents.

The program offers Chula Vista residents ages 18 to 28 the opportunity to participate in an international cultural exchange. Four ambassadors will be selected to represent Chula Vista in Odawara, where they will stay with host families. In return, selected participants will host Odawara ambassadors when they visit Chula Vista.

Participants must be Chula Vista residents and available for the full duration of the program. Selected ambassadors will receive up to $1,000 as a travel stipend to help offset airfare costs.

The 2026 program is scheduled as follows: Chula Vista ambassadors will travel to Odawara from July 31 to Aug. 11, and Odawara ambassadors will visit Chula Vista from Aug. 11 to Aug. 21.

Applicants are required to review the Odawara Youth Ambassador Exchange Program Guidelines before submitting an application. Applications must be completed in one session, as entries cannot be saved for later submission.

Applications to serve as an ambassador or host family are available online.

The deadline to apply is April 19, 2026.

For more information, contact [email protected].