High School Diplomats Program Offers Cultural Exchange At UVA Campus

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — All current high school sophomores and juniors from across the U.S. are eligible to apply for the 2023 High School Diplomats program, which will bring American and Japanese students together for an eight-day cultural exchange this summer.

The HSD program can have an enormous impact on a high school student by placing them in an environment that exposes them to a different culture, according Celine Zapolski, the program's director.

"We hope that they take this experience into the university level and their jobs, and they learn the value of being tolerant about other ideas and having a civilized discourse that is so timely right now," she said.

After 35 years at Princeton University, the HSD program has found a new home by partnering with the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. From July 21-30, HSD students will take part in this year's program on UVA's campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.

HSD is a true cultural exchange program, with 20 American students interacting with their counterparts from Japan at UVA their this summer. Students are not required to speak Japanese to participate.

"We have a really good mix of activities," Zapolski said. "It's a full day. It's eight days. It's not just academic. It's academic and social activities."

Once the HSD students successfully complete this year's program, they will be eligible to apply to be among the 16 students who travel next summer to Japan.

HSD is a 100 percent scholarship program, with all housing and meals included. The deadline for sophomore and junior students to apply online for the 2023 program is Jan. 23.

Former HSD students make up the selection committee and they value different skills, creativity and passion, according to Zapolski.

"I would recommend a student to be really authentic in their application," she said. "If they're excited about their music or about academics, express that. We do get motivated students, but we value chefs and athletes and musicians. It would be a very boring program if everybody was the same."