Getting to Know Each Other, One Student at a Time
Educational exchange has been at the heart of the sister city relationship between Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Hanamaki, Japan, since its inception in 1993. This dynamic program connects students from both cities, fostering cultural understanding and lifelong friendships through immersive experiences in each other’s communities.
An Immersive Cultural Experience
Each fall, Hanamaki student delegations journey to Hot Springs, where they immerse themselves in American life. These students stay with local host families, attend area schools, participate in sporting events, and experience what it means to be a teenager in the United States.
Each year, the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation accepts applications from Garland County students in grades 8–11 to be part of a student delegation that travels to Hanamaki for approximately one week each summer. Hosted by Japanese families, these students explore the traditions, education system, and everyday life of their counterparts in Hanamaki. Local teachers accompany the group as chaperones, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all participants.
Supporting the Next Generation of Cultural Ambassadors
To make these life-changing opportunities accessible, the Sister City Foundation offers scholarships to eligible students. Fundraising events, including the annual Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival, provide essential support for the scholarship program.
Teacher Exchange: Expanding Educational Horizons
In addition to student delegations traveling to Hanamaki, Japan, the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation offers a unique opportunity for Garland County public school teachers and administrators to participate in an international educational exchange.
The Foundation will award up to two scholarships to support a 9-day exchange in Hanamaki in early June. The scholarship covers travel costs and includes lodging, tours, and structured educational experiences during the visit.
Participating educators will have the opportunity to visit schools, interact with Japanese teachers and students, and experience the culture and daily life of Hanamaki. This exchange is designed to encourage the sharing of teaching practices and perspectives, while providing meaningful professional growth.
Educators selected for the program are expected to remain engaged upon their return by participating in Sister City activities, including the Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival on April 4, assisting with hosting future delegations, and supporting related educational programming.
Application Deadline: March 9, 2026
Student Exchange: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The Sister City Program offers 8 – 11 grade students in Garland County the opportunity to participate in an international student exchange with our sister city. This program is designed to foster cultural understanding, global awareness, and personal growth through direct, meaningful experiences.
Student delegates travel to Hanamaki as part of a supervised group and take part in cultural activities, school visits, and community events. During their stay, students engage with Japanese peers, experience daily life in a different culture, and develop a deeper understanding of global perspectives that extend far beyond the classroom.
The student exchange emphasizes responsibility, curiosity, and cultural respect. Participants serve as ambassadors for Hot Springs, representing their schools and community while building lasting connections abroad. Many students return with increased confidence, broadened worldviews, and a renewed interest in international learning.
Applications for the 2027 Student Delegation will be available in fall 2026. Additional details, eligibility requirements, and application materials will be posted on this page as the application period approaches.
Please check back for updates, or follow the Hot Springs Sister City Program for future announcements.
Sister school relationships
The following schools have sister school relationships and many take part in arts, video, and student exchanges each year.
- Sasama Daini Elementary School and Fountain Lake Elementary School
- Hot Springs Middle School and Hanamaki Junior High
- Jessieville Middle Schools and Ohasama Junior High Schools
- Lakeside High School and Hanamaki Higashi High School
- Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and Arts and Hanamaki Kita High School
For more information about how you can be involved in hosting guests or traveling to Hanamaki as a student or teacher delegate, email director@hotspringssistercity.org
