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Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme 2024

The Real Gilbert Arizona Experience

About The Programme

The Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme is a cross-community programme that has been running since 2000. It aims to provide Antrim and Newtownabbey’s young adults with an opportunity to travel to Gilbert, Arizona to develop an understanding of a different country, its culture and people through a family living experience.

Making the world a better place by bringing people together one friendship at a time was the dream of President Dwight D. Eisenhower when he introduced the Sister Cities concept. The programme coordinates cultural, trade, educational, and sports programs that promote international and intercultural knowledge and understanding. The Newtownabbey link with Gilbert was established on November 17, 1998 and was a first for both areas.

Gilbert is a young, affluent community in central Arizona. Incorporated on July 6, 1920, it is a relatively new community that has seen tremendous growth during the past three decades. Gilbert has experienced a rapid transition from a historically agriculture-based community to an urban centre and suburb in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. In the last three decades, Gilbert has grown at a pace unparalleled by most communities in the United States, increasing in population from 5,717 in 1980 to over 273,136 in 2021.

What have previous participants said?

All of the pictures above 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"

Eligibility

Each applicant must:

live in the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey,

be aged 16-17 / in Year 13 (or equivalent) and

be in good health to travel and take part in the programme (and, upon request, be able to supply a doctor’s statement of verification)

Travel Dates

It is expected that the exchange programme will commence around the last week of June and finish the first week of August. The dates are dependent on school exam timetables and we will set the dates to suit the selected students.

Cost

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

Students must provide their own spending money.

Families/students will be expected to home host their exchange student for three weeks.

Families/students will be expected to provide trips/activities for their exchange student for three weeks. These will typically aim to show the exchange students the sights in Northern Ireland, as well as to allow the student 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.

Responsibility of Parents/Guardians

Parents/guardians are required to home host the foreign exchange student for approximately three weeks. You should have adequate space to ensure everyone is comfortable.

Parents/guardians will be expected to invest time with the students during their approx. three week stay in the Borough.

Parents/guardians are required to participate in activities organised by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

It is an essential element of the programme that families make contact prior to students travelling; this can take place via email, social media or phone contact.

Passports, Visas & Access NI

Passport & Visas: Obtaining a passport and the required visas is the responsibility of the delegate and their family. It is recommended that delegates apply immediately, if required, following their selection. Please note passports must be valid for 6 months post USA travel.

Access NI: The selected delegates and their families will be subject to an Access NI check. This will be completed by Council’s HR department and delegates and their families will be expected to provide the relevant information upon request.

How to Apply

Application forms should be completed online - See below.

The online application process opens: Friday 17 November 2023

Applications close: Friday 12 January 2024

Shortlisting and Interviews:    TBC

In order to take part in the Student Exchange Programme, applicants must be nominated by 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 nominate you to take part in the programme and include their details in your application form. On receipt of your application, we will email a nomination form to your teacher or youth worker for completion.

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Home Phone:

Mobile Phone:

Email:

Age:

Date of Birth:

Sex:

Current School:

School Year at Time of Application:

Name of Teacher, Youth Worker or equivalent who will complete the nomination form and who the Council can contact to obtain a reference:

Email address of above named Teacher, Youth Worker or Equivalent:

Primary School:

Country of Birth:

List school / church / community activities in which you participate:

Detail any Hobbies:

Detail any Work Experience:

What are your plans for the future (education and career):

Have you travelled abroad:
Yes
No
If yes, where to:

Have you or any of your brothers and/or sisters 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:

Mother / Guardian Name:

Mother / Guardian Occupation:

Mother / Guardian phone number:

Mother / Guardian email address:

Father / Guardian Name:

Father / Guardian Occupation:

Father / Guardian phone number:

Father/ Guardian email address:

Do you have any brothers or sisters:
Yes
No
If yes, please provide details including age(s):

Please list all the people that live in your house:

What attracted you to this programme and why do you want to participate:

Interviews

If shortlisted, the applicant and their parent/guardian(s) will be invited to attend an informal interview.

It is anticipated that shortlisting and invite to interviews will take place w/c 08 January 2024 and interviews will take place w/c 22 January 2024.

Please click here to complete the online Sister Cities application form.

For more information, contact: Business@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

For more information, contact: Business@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Home Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Email:
Age:
Date of Birth:
Sex:
Current School:
School Year at Time of Application:
Name of Teacher, Youth Worker or equivalent who will complete the nomination form and who the Council can contact to obtain a reference:
Email address of above named Teacher, Youth Worker or Equivalent:
Primary School:
Country of Birth:
List school / church / community activities in which you participate:
Detail any Hobbies:
Detail any Work Experience:
What are your plans for the future (education and career):
Have you travelled abroad:	Yes No
If yes, where to:
Have you or any of your brothers and/or sisters 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:
Mother / Guardian Name:
Mother / Guardian Occupation:
Mother / Guardian phone number:
Mother / Guardian email address:
Father / Guardian Name:
Father / Guardian Occupation:
Father / Guardian phone number:
Father/ Guardian email address:
Do you have any brothers or sisters:	Yes No
If yes, please provide details including age(s):
Please list all the people that live in your house:
What attracted you to this programme and why do you want to participate: