Handsworth Japan Exchange

In 1970, the City of North Vancouver established a sister-city relationship with Chiba City, Japan.  In 1989 the first Handsworth trip to Japan occurred, and it was in 1992 that the regular student exchange was established with Inage High School, in Chiba.

The Handsworth Japan Exchange has been offered annually to grade 9 students for over 20 years now. 

The first component of the exchange is the hosting of a student from Inage High school in early October.  Japanese students must be provided their own room in your home for the duration of their visit.  Your student will not only stay with your family, but also join you for in-class visits, group activities and a farewell party at the end of their stay.

From January to April there are regular meetings in preparation for the trip.  The two-week itinerary typically includes Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takayama, Chiba, Tokyo and either Himeji or Miyajima.  Our first week is spent touring Japan, while our second week is spent being hosted by Inage High School students.  While in Chiba we serve as representatives of North Vancouver, and as such, engage in official functions such as formal visits to the mayor’s office and other ceremonies.

JAPAN EXCHANGE 2020

Interested Grade 8 students and their parents are invited to attend a Japan Exchange 2019/2020 information meeting in the Learning Commons/Library on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.  Application forms for next year's Japan Exchange are due by Wednesday, May 15, 2019.  Please contact Mr. Forsyth at mforsyth@sd44.ca if you have any questions regarding next year's exchange.

To see highlights from past trips, please visit the following links:

2018 Japan Weblog: https://handsworthjapan2018.wordpress.com/

2017 Japan Weblog: https://handsworthjapan2017.wordpress.com/

2016 Japan Weblog: https://handsworthjapan2016.wordpress.com/   

link to pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/104843648@N06/albums/72157665153301463

2013 Japan Weblog: http://handsworthjapan2013.wordpress.com/