Thank you for your interest in the Kanonji Appleton Partnership (KAP) Summer Exchange Program!
KAP and our sister program, the Kanonji International Exchange Association (KIEA), hold a shared belief about the importance of intercultural learning using a homestay model. Through our exchange program we hope for our communities to deepen intercultural understanding and appreciation, for the citizens of Appleton/Fox Cities to learn more about Japanese culture, and for the citizens of Kanonji to learn more about life in Appleton/Fox Cities.
Please complete this form if you are 21 or older and no longer in school. If you are in high school, college, or under age 21 please complete the student application.
By participating in the KAP exchange program, participants will:
- Become an international ambassador for Appleton/Fox Cities in Kanonji, Japan
- Learn about the people, culture, and language of Japan
- Develop skills to deal with future challenges, independence, and self-awareness
- Expand your interests and experiences
- Build friendships that last a lifetime
KAP's Exchange Program includes:
- Placement in a carefully selected host family, room and board included
- Pre-departure cultural training and group bonding
- Pre-departure orientation information
- Travel and on-site chaperone-liaison
- Support of local representatives from KIEA
- Airport ground transfers to and from host family residence
KAP’s Exchange Program does NOT include:
- International and domestic airfare to and from Kanonji, Japan
- Entertainment and incidental costs incurred by the student
- Long distance telephone (Participants can use WhatsApp, Line, email, or other apps to communicate for free.)
What is expected of the participant as a member of the host family:
- Act as an ambassador for Appleton/Fox Cities respecting the culture, customs, and habits of host family members
- Participate in family activities, dinners, and outings with host family
- Help with household chores with host family
- Share culture, language, and life experiences with household members
- Abide by host family rules, local laws, and customs
- Do not use drugs and do not operate any motorized vehicles
- Attend all official KIEA events and programs
KAP Exchange Program Fees and Requirements
Applicants must be a minimum of 14 years old/freshman in high school. Adult applicants are welcome to travel with the program even if they are not in a formal chaperone role. However, they may be asked to take on some responsibilities (e.g. helping to ensure all students get through the airport, partnering with a smaller group during tours, etc.) due to their status as adults.
Applicants must submit the online KAP Exchange Application Form and the $50 application fee by February 16, 2024. The fee covers KAP administrative processing and host family stipends. Families that host will have their application fee refunded.
The application fee can be mailed to Kanonji Appleton Partnership, 1121 N Superior St., Appleton, WI 54911.
Applicants will also be required to participate in an interview. These interviews are conducted on a rolling basis as applications are submitted.
It is the sole responsibility of the participants who are traveling on an exchange with KAP to ensure they have current and appropriate travel documents for Japan.
Schedule for the 2024 KAP exchange
Exact dates for travel and meetings will be updated as they become available
January 2024 - Public information sessions
Feb 16 - Online application and application fee due
Jan15 - Feb 25 - Rolling interviews
Feb 28 - Decisions sent
March-June - Weekly Japanese language and culture classes, monthly family travel prep meetings, monthly host family prep meetings
July - Appleton/Fox Cities group in Kanonji, Japan for two weeks
July-August - Kanonji, Japan group in Appleton/Fox Cities for two weeks