FAQ

Families with a high school-aged student who live in Haddonfield are eligible and welcome to participate. Students in between the summer of 8th and 9th grade are also eligible.

For more details, please read our Hosting Guidelines.

Host families should treat their Japanese guest like a member of the family for the 2 weeks of their visit. They are expected to provide the following: 

• A separate bedroom, or a shared bedroom with someone of the same sex.

• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinners except when provided by the HJE during planned activities. We will ask you to pack a brown bag lunch for a few of the excursion days. 

• Transportation to and pick up from high school on a daily basis and possible car-pooling to daily activity sites. 

• The guest can walk to and from the school or drop off point, but should be accompanied by a Haddonfield student or adult.

For more details, please read our Hosting Guidelines.

HJE will organize planned activities during the weekday. Host families will provide activities for their exchange student for 2 weekends. Recommeded activities include a trip to the shore, restaurants, shopping, games, or other things you usually enjoy doing as a family. 

• Many of our host families form lifelong bonds with their exchange students. 

• Haddonfield students who host get to share in excursions like Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore with their new Japanese friends. 

• Hosting students are also given priority status in the travel applications the following year.

Haddonield Japan Exchange will welcome students from Sendai International High School from July 17-31, 2026. To learn more and to apply, visit here.

You do not have to speak Japanese. The Sendai International School students are all studying English. We encourage students and families to use translation apps if needed, and there are HJE committee members who speak Japanese if you need further support. 

Haddonfield residents in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.

The next exchange class will travel to Japan in the summer of 2027. Our application season will begin in late Fall of 2026. If you'd like us to notify you when applications are released, please send us an e-mail. 

In the meantime, please also consider becoming a host family this summer in 2026. Those who host a Japanese student in our program are given priority status when application season opens the following year. 

No, as long as you're a resident in Haddonfield, it doesn't matter what school you go to. Homeschoolers are also eligible.

Students/families are responsible for travel expenses (airfare, train, etc.) and souvenir money, usually totaling about $3,000. All other expenses and activities are covered by our fundraising efforts. 

Not at all! Though we hope you'll learn a few words during your experience in Japan.

It is a kind gesture and well-received if you provide your host family a gift. Here are some tips:

• Try to find something for each member of your host family. When contacting your host family before the visit, ask about siblings, parents, or other relatives that live with them.

• Ask about each family member's interests and try to pick something unique and tailored to them. For example, if your student likes baseball, try to find some Philadelphia Phillies souvenirs. 

• Other American gift ideas include candy, t-shirts, and Haddonfield, Philadelphia, or New York souvenirs. 

• Five Below is a great place to shop for affordable gifts.