Anjo Student Exchange
Hobsons Bay 360 #96: Fostering friendship and goodwill with our sister city Anjo in Japan
For more than 35 years, Anjo in Japan and Hobsons Bay have shared a special sister city friendship. Since 1988 more than 200 local students have participated in student delegations to Japan.
As part of the relationship, each year a delegation of four students, aged between 14 and 17, along with an adult group leader are selected to participate in the annual student exchange program. In July 2024, Mayor Cr Matt Tyler warmly welcomed the 2024 delegation at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in Altona.
2025 Student Exchange Program
Applications for the 2025 exchange are open and will close on 28 February 2025. The exchange involves local families hosting a Japanese student for 10 days during the winter school holidays, and then visiting Anjo for about two weeks in July/August. Click here to apply.
This enduring sister city relationship is made possible through the work of the Hobsons Bay International Friendship Association and Anjo International Association.
“This program provides invaluable experiences for young people both here in Hobsons Bay and in Anjo. The exchange allows students from each city a wonderful opportunity to create life-long memories and experience each other’s cultures." – Mayor Cr Matt Tyler (Wetlands Ward).
About Anjo
Anjo is a city in the Aiche Prefectecture in Japan, situated near the centre of the Nishi-Mikawa Plain, about 30km from Nagoya. It covers about 86 square kms with a population of almost 190,000 people. In comparison, Hobsons Bay’s population is 92,275 and the land area is 64 square kms. Anjo was originally an agricultural district; it now has a mixed economy including manufacturing, and is still known for rice, wheat, soybeans, figs, Japanese pears and cucumbers.
Read more about Anjo and Hobsons Bay.
a series of stories exploring all corners of Hobsons Bay.