Awards – Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange

2023 Scholarship!

Are you, or do you know, a High School senior going to college this fall who has participated in The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange?

We have an opportunity for you!

What has the Salem-Ota Exchange meant to you?

Tell us about your involvement in the program hosting a middle-schooler, or traveling to Japan with us or both.

How have you been impacted?

A panel will review the application and the 500-750 word essay and select the winner who will receive a $500 scholarship.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 5th, 2023

Please fill out the online submission form here: Salem Ota Cultural Exchange Scholarship – Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange (salemotace.org)

2022 Scholarship Winner

The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is proud to announce that Corey Aras Ide Kaulenas is the recipient of this year’s $500 scholarship. His essay on what the exchange program has meant to him is published here in full.

2021 Scholarship Winner

The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is proud to announce that Deya Arnold is the recipient of this year’s $500 scholarship. Her essay on what the exchange program has meant to her is published here in full.

2020 Scholarship Offering

Are you a senior going to college who has participated in The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange? We have an opportunity for you!

What has this program meant to you? Tell us about your involvement in the program hosting a middle-schooler, or traveling to Japan with us or both. How have you been impacted? The form is available below. A panel will select the winning applicant who will receive a $500 scholarship.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 8th, 2020

Applicants fill out an online submission form here.

2018 Scholarship Winner

The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is proud to announce that Connor Heenan is the recipient of this year’s $500 scholarship. His essay on what the exchange program has meant to him is published here in full.

Thayer Award

We are delighted to announce that in October, 2016, the Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange was awarded theJohn E. Thayer, III Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cultural Exchange between the United States and Japan given by The Japan society of Boston. This prestigious award represents the incredible partnership and the cross-cultural understanding between the people of Ōta City, Tokyo, Japan and Salem, Massachusetts. We have been exchanging school-aged children and adults continuously for 25 years while creating rewarding and lasting friendships.