Immersion Exchange Opportunities

The Anchorage School District Japanese Immersion Program is pleased to offer three different opportunities for our students and families to travel to Japan.

The Sand Lake Exchange and Mears Exchange cater to Japanese Immersion students with the trips centered on school visits and home stays. These trips are “Official Visits”. Our students and chaperones are representing Sand Lake Elementary School, Mears Middle School, the Anchorage School District, the City of Anchorage and Alaska. Chitose is one of Anchorage’s Sister Cities and this relationship is very important to both communities.

The Family Tour is geared for 5th-8th grade students and parents in either the Japanese Immersion Program or Neighborhood program at Sand Lake Elementary School and Mears Middle School. This is a private tour that is put together by ITC Travel & Tours. The goal of this tour is to provide educational experiences along with seeing and experiencing some of the best sites in Japan.

Sand Lake Elementary will host ASD sponsored trips to Japan for 5th and 6th graders in the Japanese Immersion Program on the following years: 2016, 2018, 2020. This trip will allow for 20-30 students. This exchange trip centers on Chitose Elementary School and home stay, with an added tour.

Mears Middle School will host ASD sponsored trips to Japan for 7th and 8th graders in the Japanese Immersion Program on the following years: 2017, 2019. This trip will allow for 15-20 students. This exchange trip centers on Chitose middle schools and an added tour.

A Family Tour will be offered for 5th-8th graders during the Sand Lake Elementary travel years: 2016, 2018, 2020. This trip is an independent private tour that is not bound by any restrictions and is open to Japanese Immersion students and Neighborhood students.

*All Anchorage School District trips are contingent on ASD approval and can be cancelled due to safety reasons.