HSD United States
HSD U.S. is an eight-day program providing 20 American students the opportunity to engage in academic and social pursuits, and forge lifelong friendships with 20 Japanese students of the same age. During the eight-day program hosted at the University of Virginia, each American student is paired with a Japanese roommate. The program is sponsored each summer by AIG General Insurance Co., Ltd., along with the Freeman Foundation.
Program Activities
Students from Japan and America spend eight days living and socializing with each other on the historic campus of the University of Virginia. The program exposes students to both cultures through daily themes and academic and social activities, guided by a dedicated staff made up of recent program alumni.
The themes provide the roommate pairs with opportunities to communicate, learn, and simply enjoy each other's company. The themes vary widely so that each student pair can find common ground and build their friendship. Some examples of these activities include discussions and presentations, a Japanese summer festival, a sports tournament, and a karaoke night.
Academic Curriculum
The High School Diplomats program is devoted to bringing students from both American and Japanese cultures the most informative and engaging cultural exchange possible. In addition to the daily activities, both groups of students attend daily language classes ranging from beginner to advanced and taught by native speakers.
Every student is also given the opportunity to present a unique part of their culture. Topics assigned each year vary but often include history, leisure, social issues, and education.
The HSD U.S. academic curriculum provides students with small, seminar-style learning opportunities that animate the cultural exchange.
2024 Program Details
Dates: July 19 - July 28, 2024
Location: University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
Number of Students: 20 American, 20 Japanese
Eligibility: All high school sophomores and juniors may apply. Children of AIG employees and their agents may not apply. We afford equal opportunity to students of all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Cost: Room, board, and all activity costs are paid in full by the program scholarship. Transportation costs to and from the program are not covered but financial assistance is available if needed.
Application Period: October 1, 2023 - January 15, 2024
Application Requirements: Students must complete an online application and also arrange for a teacher or counselor to submit a recommendation from an official school email address.
The program
High School Diplomats is a cultural exchange program founded in 1987 that brings American and Japanese high school students together for eight days each summer. This full-scholarship program pairs 20 American high school sophomores and juniors with a Japanese roommate to share the experience with together.
The Impact
Roommate pairs work together to overcome barriers of language and culture and learn about each other's lives through classes, seminar-style discussions, and fun activities. Over the course of the program, students form deep bonds with each other and gain a new perspective on their studies, their goals, and themselves.