Chitose is Anchorage’s sister city in Japan and is located in the middle of Hokkaido Island in Northern Japan. Sand Lake fifth and sixth grade students have the opportunity for a biennial cultural exchange with Chitose Elementary. This is a chance to use their language skills in the native country. This trip is both the ultimate test and reward for all their hard work. It also serves as a motivating factor to continue their Japanese studies into the Mears and Dimond Programs where are many other competing classes are offered.
If your student is interested in going on the trip the out of pocket expense $3,000 to $4,000 per student, and if a parent is chaperone on the trip the cost is another $3,00o to $4,000 per parent.