Celebrating 40 Years of Lubbock’s International Junior Ambassador Program

Did you know that Lubbock has been sending children over to Japan each year as a part of an exchange program? Well, you should know now, since it's officially been 40 years since the program first started!

What Is Lubbock's Junior Ambassador Program?

The Junior Ambassador Program is a collaboration between Lubbock and Musashino City, Japan. Since 1986, the two cities have been promoting cultural education by sending groups of students back and forth to serve as representatives for their respective city and country.

Only enrolled students who are in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades are allowed to sign up for the program. Once accepted, they will prepare to spend one week abroad in Musashino City, Japan.

Check out the City of Lubbock website for application forms if your child is interested in traveling to Japan! Note that this is a summer program, and applications are no longer available for 2026.

Meals, transportation in Japan, hotel fees, and recreational activities are all covered through the Junior Ambassador Program. Students' families are still responsible for the costs of airfare, a U.S. passport, travel insurance, and spending money while overseas not covered by the program.

Look Who's 40!

On Friday, July 31, the City of Lubbock will be celebrating its 40th anniversary of the Ambassador Program with Musashino City. A ceremonial Special City Council meeting will be held along with a wall display showing the connection and impact that the program has made for so many children over the years.

It will also be a chance to help welcome the visiting students from Musashino City coming to Lubbock for the very first time. How exciting!

The event will take place at the Citizens Tower Lobby on 1314 Avenue K, and doors will open at 8:15 a.m.