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Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme 2026

Applications for the 2026 Programme NOW OPEN!

The Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme provides an opportunity to share cultural perspectives, make new friends and build connections around the world.

About The Programme

The Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme provides an opportunity to share cultural perspectives, make new friends and build connections around the world.

Being selected as a participant of the Youth Exchange Programme is an opportunity to act as an ambassador for Antrim and Newtownabbey, both within the Borough and during your exchange in Gilbert, Arizona.

The Exchange Programme is centred around a 6 week exchange (3 weeks in Northern Ireland and 3 weeks in Gilbert, Arizona). Up to 4 participants from the programme will be selected to participate in this exchange. This selection will be based on your application followed by an interview. The exchange will take place in June/July and exact dates will be determined around exam timetables.

You will gain new friends and connections, learn skills which will help you with your university or job applications, gain soft skills which will help you in interviews and many other benefits that will come with being a part of the Youth Exchange Programme.

What have previous participants said?

All of the pictures below are from previous successful applicants who had a wonderful experience in Gilbert, and indeed back home in Antrim and Newtownabbey when they showed their American guests our beautiful Borough. Here is what some of them had to say:

“An unforgettable experience - you will make memories that will last forever”

“Amazing, opened my eyes to new experiences and a new culture. I have made lifelong friends”

“Simply one of the best things I’ve ever done!”

“An unforgettable opportunity to make new friends and learn about a teen’s lifestyle in America”

“I have gained so much confidence in myself, tried things and done things I didn’t believe I could do”

"Very worthwhile and a brilliant experience for the whole family"

Application Requirements

Each applicant must:

Be a resident of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area

Be in Year 13/Lower 6^th or equivalent

Available to travel for 3 weeks at the end of June/July (if selected)

Able to host an exchange participant at end June/July (if selected)

In good health to travel (if selected)

If selected to participate in the exchange, you and your family must commit to hosting your matched partner from Gilbert, Arizona for 3 weeks and you will travel to Gilbert, Arizona to stay with your matched partner for 3 weeks. The order of the exchanges will be determined based upon school/exam dates. The total 6 week exchange will commence mid to end June and will end mid to end July.

Participation in the exchange is subject to satisfactory background checks being completed for all household members aged 16 or over.

Should you be successful at application stage, Parental Consent and Participant Responsibility Agreement forms must be reviewed and signed at interview stage. Please note that at least one parent will be asked to attend an informal meeting on the same date, to review the signed forms.

Cost

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council shall pay for travel to the USA including insurance costs.

Participants must provide their own spending money, passport and apply for US Visa

Families/Participants will be expected to home host their exchange participant for three weeks.

Families/Participants will be expected to provide trips/activities for their exchange participant for three weeks. These will typically aim to show the exchange participants the sights in Northern Ireland, as well as to allow the participant to take part in the life of a teenager in Antrim and Newtownabbey; for example cinema, sport or cultural activities.

Additional activities may be organised and paid for by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council during the Antrim and Newtownabbey hosting period.

Information Events

Anyone interested in taking part in the Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme are strongly encouraged to attend one of the information sessions along with their parents. This information event will provide an opportunity to find out more about the programme and ask any questions you may have. Council officers will also be available on the night to provide information about the application and interview process and programme logistics.

Tuesday 25 November, 6pm – 7pm, Yarn Suite, Mossley Mill

Wednesday 03 December, 6pm – 7pm, Steeple Suite, Antrim Civic Centre

To register for either of the above events, E. YouthExchange@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk and include your full name, address including postcode, date of birth and contact number or alternatively T. 0300 123 4568

How to Apply

Before submitting your application, you should read the “Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme – Participant Responsibility Agreement” and parents/guardians should read the “Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme Parental Consent” document.

Application forms should be completed online.

Open for Applications Monday 3 November 2025

Applications Deadline 5pm on Monday 5 January 2026

Shortlisting and invite to interviews Week Commencing Monday 5 January 2026

Interviews Held Provisionally scheduled for 20 & 21 January 2026

Outcome of Interviews Mid-February

Pre-Departure Information Session TBC

Travel Mid/End June - Mid/End July 2026 (dependant on exam dates)

Please note, even if successful at interview stage, taking part in the programme is subject to workable timings and requirements of participants and there being a suitable exchange partner match with a participant from Gilbert, Arizona. The decision of the interview panel is final, and travel is subject to logistical considerations.

In order to be eligible to take part in the Youth Exchange Programme, a reference will be required from a teacher, youth worker or equivalent.

Before submitting an application form, you must speak to a teacher, youth worker or equivalent who knows you well; ask them if they would be happy to provide a reference for you and include their details in your application form. On receipt of your application, we will email a reference form to your teacher or youth worker for completion.

For more information, contact E. YouthExchange@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk T. 0300 123 4568

First Name:
Surname:
Address:
Postcode:
Home Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Email:
Age:
Gender:
Date of Birth:
Country of Birth:
Upload Your Photograph:
Current School / Technical College:
Current School Year (if applicable):
Current subject(s) being studied (if applicable):
Primary School Attended:
Tell us about any hobbies or pastimes you enjoy:
List school / clubs / church / community groups in which you participate:
Do you/have you ever had a job? If so, provide details:
What are your hopes and aspirations for the future including your preferred career path? :
Name of Teacher, Youth Worker or equivalent who the Council can contact to obtain a reference:
Contact Number of Reference:
Contact Email of Reference:
Have you travelled abroad?:	Yes No
If yes, where to:
Have you or any of your family members participated in an exchange programme:	Yes No
If yes, please provide details:
Has your family ever hosted an exchange student:	Yes No
If yes, who, from which country, and dates of stay:
Please confirm you are fit and healthy to travel, and do not have any pre-existing medical conditions or outstanding hospital appointments:	Yes No
If no, please provide details:
Are you taking medications:	Yes No
If yes, please provide details:
Parent / Guardian 1 Full Name:
Parent / Guardian Address including Postcode:
Parent / Guardian Mobile Number:
Parent / Guardian Email Address:
Parent / Guardian Occupation:
Parent / Guardian Relationship to You:
Parent / Guardian 2 Full Name:
Parent / Guardian Address including Postcode:
Parent / Guardian Mobile Number:
Parent / Guardian Occupation:
Parent / Guardian Email Address:
Parent / Guardian Relationship to You:
Do you have any brothers or sisters?:
Full Name and date of birth of all siblings (including half/step siblings):
Please list all persons who live in your house (including any who reside only some of the time) (Please include full name and date of birth if not already listed above):
Please tell us why you would like to participate in the Youth Exchange Programme?:
What do you believe you will bring to the programme?:
How did you hear about this opportunity?:
Please tick to confirm you have read and understood the Parental Consent Form:	* Should you be invited to interview, you will be provided with a copy of these documents to review and sign.
Please tick to confirm you have read and understood the Participant Responsibility Agreement:	* Should you be invited to interview, you will be provided with a copy of these documents to review and sign.
Security code:

Sister Cities Youth Exchange Programme 2026

Applications for the 2026 Programme NOW OPEN!

Apply Now

The Real Gilbert Arizona Experience

Open for Applications	Monday 3 November 2025
Applications Deadline	5pm on Monday 5 January 2026
Shortlisting and invite to interviews	Week Commencing Monday 5 January 2026
Interviews Held	Provisionally scheduled for 20 & 21 January 2026
Outcome of Interviews	Mid-February
Pre-Departure Information Session	TBC
Travel	Mid/End June - Mid/End July 2026 (dependant on exam dates)