Student Exchange Program - Student Application

STUDENT APPLICATION

Students aged 15 to 18 that attend a high school within the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area are eligible to apply for the Student Exchange Program to Minokamo, Japan in the September/October 2026 school holidays. Please make sure that you and your parents/guardians read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this form before you begin your application to ensure you are eligible for consideration and that your parents/guardians support your application.

Given name* - required

Family name* - required

Preferred name

Date of Birth* - required

Gender* - required

Male

Female

Other

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Address line 1* - required

City* - required

State* - required

NSW

Postcode* - required

Email address* - required

Your mobile

Name of parent or guardian* - required

Parent's or guardian's mobile* - required

Parent's or guardian's email address

Name of the high school which you attend* - required

Which school year are you in?* - required

Name of your Year Advisor* - required

Why do you wish to be an exchange student?* - required

Do you have any relevant Japanese language or cultural experience? (Requires more than Yes/No answer)* - required

What is your particular interest in Japanese culture and/or Minokamo? Please use approximately 30 – 50 words.* - required

What is your travel experience? Where did you visit, for how long, when and for what purpose? Can include family holidays, and non-overseas travel, requires extended answer.* - required

How do you intend to finance an exchange visit if your application is successful?* - required

Do you participate in any activities outside school, such as sport, music, drama, art, community or cultural groups, clubs associations, work etc?* - required

Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your application?* - required

Do you have any health issues such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, anxiety or depression?* - required

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No

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Terms and Conditions for Student Application 2026

1. The minimum age for students to participate in the exchange program is 15 years of age (students must be 15 at the time of departure) and all applicants must attend a High School in the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area.

2. The 2026 Student Exchange is reciprocal, and DRC requires that participating students and their families home stay a Minokamo student when they visit Dubbo in late July/early August 2026.

3. The total cost of the visit (including return airfares, internal transfers, travel insurance, most meals, side trip to Tokyo and Tokyo Disneyland for Minokamo Exchange) will be around $4,857 (cost based on 2024). Dubbo Regional Council subsidies the cost by $1,000 per student, so the cost to you will be around $3,857. This is an estimated quote only and may vary at the time of booking.

4. Additional funds will be required for students for some meals and tips not included in the arranged itinerary. All other personal costs are to be borne by students. An approximate budget of $25 per day is recommended to cover daily incidental spending.

5. Students will be billeted with families in Minokamo. Home staying with a local family is a unique cultural experience not available to tourists and assists in keeping the cost of the exchange visits very affordable. Students will be placed with students of a similar age and/or gender selected via information provided by families, to the best of the coordinators abilities.

6. The duration of the exchanges is 12 to 14 days and will take place in the September/October 2026 School holidays.

7. Two adult Chaperones experienced in accompanying students on overnight excursions and/or experienced in overseas travel will accompany the students to and from Dubbo, and our sister cities provide a guide/interpreter during the groups stay in their cities. A guide will accompany the group during side trips in Tokyo.

8. Selection of successful students will involve an interview via panel of the student and their parent/s and/or guardian/s. Questions are based on their responses within this application and we recommend some interview practice to be beneficial to applicants in this process.

9. Students will be selected based on the responses given in the online application and interview process via a selection criteria. The program seeks to support students who show an interest in civic participation and representation, learning more about our sister cities, and becoming a global citizen. Students will be representing the young people of our region and country; therefore a level of maturity and responsibility are a strong criteria for success in applications.

10. Exchange students will be required to attend four cultural training and language sessions to prepare for the visit. They will also be required prepare participate in the development and writing of a report and presentation to Dubbo Regional Council and the Sister City Committee following the conclusion of the sister city exchange trip that outlines their experiences and benefits of the Sister City Exchange program.

11. Students will be expected to hold or to have a valid Australian Passport within six weeks of notification that their application has been successful.

Application close 9am on Monday 20 April 2026.

For further information regarding the exchange experience requirements, please contact Rebecca Walker on 02 6801 4435 or email: rebecca.walker@dubbo.nsw.gov.au

Last Edited: 05 Mar 2026

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