The International Friendship Commission of the City of Chula Vista is now accepting applications for the 2012 Young Professional / Student Exchange Program with Odawara, Japan.  Four Chula Vista residents between the ages of 18 and 23 will be selected to spend two weeks with Japanese host families in Odawara and then host the Japanese students here for two weeks.  Candidates are expected to be either young professionals or in college or college bound students and must be U.S. Citizens.  The Commission provides a $1,000 travel stipend toward airfare.

The exchange is from August 1 through August 26, 2012.  Odawara representatives will depart to Chula Vista on August 1 and will return with respective Chula Vista students on August 13.  Chula Vista students will return home on August 26.

Applications are available online at www.chulavistaca.gov, under City Highlights, and from International Friendship Commissioners or high school/college counselors.  The deadline has been extended for students/young professionals to turn in their applications.  Please submit to the International Friendship Commission Secretary, Lilia Cesena, at the Mayor and Council offices by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2012.  A special sub-committee will review all applications and selected candidates will be interviewed at a date and time to be determined.