Sister City Planning Commission - Racine, WI

02/13/2026

Racine students — this is an incredible opportunity to travel to Oiso, Japan through the 2026 Sister City Student Exchange with the Racine Sister City Planning Commission! 🎌

✔ Open to City of Racine residents in grades 9–11
📅 Deadline: March 2, 2026

🎌 Racine Students! Are you interested in Japanese culture and curious about what it’s like to live in Japan? We have an exciting opportunity for you!

The Sister City Planning Council–Racine, WI Student Exchange Program will take place from July 19 to August 2, 2026, offering students a unique chance to represent the youth of Racine while immersing themselves in Japanese culture.

To apply, you must:
✔ Live in the City of Racine
✔ Be a current high school student (9th, 10th, or 11th grade)
✔ Write a short personal essay
✔ Submit two letters of recommendation
✔ Be willing to share your trip experience with the community after returning

📅 Application Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026

👉 Learn more and apply here: cityofracinewi.gov/2026-summer-sister-city-student-exchange-to-oiso-japan/

02/09/2026

We hope to see you there!🎌

Reminder: Join the Sister City Planning Commission on Tuesday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Racine Public Library’s Community Room to learn how Racine high school students can travel to Oiso, Japan, for an unforgettable cultural exchange during Summer Break 2026! ✈

💬Hear how this unique Sister City exchange connects cultures and communities.

🏠 Learn how students can stay with a Japanese host family and experience life abroad.

🏙 Must be City of Racine residents and current 9th–11th grade students to participate in the exchange trip.

01/28/2026

We hope to see you there!

Join the Sister City Planning Commission on Tuesday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Racine Public Library’s Community Room to learn how Racine high school students can travel to Oiso, Japan, for an unforgettable cultural exchange during Summer Break 2026! ✈

💬Hear how this unique Sister City exchange connects cultures and communities.

🏠Learn how students can stay with a Japanese host family and experience life abroad.

🏙 Must be City of Racine residents and current 9th–11th grade students to participate in the exchange trip.

10/27/2025

Applications close this Friday!

Racine students: if you’ve ever wanted to explore French culture and experience life abroad, we have an opportunity for you! 🇫🇷

The Sister City Planning Commission - Racine, WI Student Exchange is scheduled to take place from April 3 to 12, 2026. Students will represent the City of Racine while living with Host families in Montelimar, France, and take part in cultural activities, tours, and local events.

To apply, you must:
✔ Be a current high school student.
✔ Write a short personal essay.
✔ Submit two letters of recommendation.
✔ Be willing to share your trip experience with the community after returning.

📅 Deadline for Applications: Friday, October 31, 2025

You can get more information and apply online at: https://bit.ly/Racine-Montelimar2026

10/14/2025

Reminder that the family meeting for students interested in traveling to Paris and our sister city of Montélimar is TODAY at 6:30pm at the Racine Public Library!

10/07/2025

Join us to learn more about the 2026 France trip! 🇫🇷✈️ See you there!

Join the Sister City Planning Commission on Tuesday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Racine Public Library’s Martin Room to learn how Racine high school students can travel to Montélimar, France, for an unforgettable cultural exchange during Spring Break 2026!✈️

💬 Hear how this unique Sister City exchange connects cultures and communities.

📖 Learn how students can stay with a French host family and experience life abroad.

🌍 Don’t miss this chance to experience France, culture, and connection!

🏙️ Open to City of Racine residents.

10/05/2025

07/23/2025

Looking forward to an evening of stories, culture, and connection with Oiso exchange students! 🎌🌸

Join the Sister City Planning Commission - Racine, WI on Tuesday, July 29 from 6–7 p.m. in the Racine Public Library’s Community Room for a special evening of global connection. 🌏🎌

📣 Hear directly from exchange students about the sights, sounds, and culture of Oiso, Japan—Racine’s Sister City.

🎎 Don’t miss this chance to experience Japan through fresh eyes, right here in your community!

🎫 Free & open to all – bring a friend!

05/20/2025

In April, we were honored to welcome students and chaperones from Montélimar, France to Racine! 🇫🇷 During their visit, they had the opportunity to spend time at local high schools, where they shadowed students and experienced American school life firsthand.

They also explored Racine and our neighboring cities—Kenosha and Milwaukee—engaging with colleges and visiting some of our area’s great museums. 🏛️🎓

As a special highlight, the students and chaperones were named honorary residents of the City of Racine!🏅

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible host families for opening your homes and making this cultural exchange possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Interested in future student exchange or hosting opportunities? Follow our page to stay connected and learn more! 🌍✈️

04/24/2024

Don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime! Applications for students to visit Racine’s Sister City - Oiso, Japan - are due this Friday, April 26, 2024.

Oiso, Japan is known for its beautiful beaches. One of Japan’s well-respected authors, Shimazaki Tōson, lived in Oiso and “Before the Dawn” (shown below) is also an award-winning translation.

Students will live with a host family for two weeks and truly experience Japanese life and culture.

Applicants must be city of Racine residents in grades 9-11. Check City of Racine, Wisconsin Government for the application.

04/06/2024

High school students of Racine: Would you like to meet our friends in Oiso, Japan this summer?

✔️ it out!

Racine students: if you have an interest in Japanese culture & wonder what its like to live in Japan, we have an opportunity for you!

This year's Sister City Planning Council-Racine, WI Student Exchange is scheduled to take place from July 25, 2024, to August 7, 2024, and offers a unique opportunity for students to represent the youth of Racine and to immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

To apply you must:
✔️Live in the City of Racine.
✔️Be currently enrolled in 9, 10 or 11th grade.
✔️Write a personal essay and get two letters of recommendation.
📅Deadline for Applications: Friday, April 26, 2024

You can get more information and apply online at https://bit.ly/Racine-Oiso2024.