Our Programs: Youth Student Summer Exchanges

Our most influential and popular programs are the Student Summer Exchange trips to each of our Sister Cities.  These programs provide the opportunity to experience a different culture first hand, to help students experience American culture, and to create lasting relationships with friends all over the world.  

Applications for all student exchange programs are made available in September.  These applications are available on our website and are sent to all Social Studies teachers, Counselors, French teachers, Japanese teachers, Principals, PTA and PTSA, culture clubs and many other sources for students and parents to locate.  Applications are due back to Lexington Sister Cities in early November and interviews take place in late November or early December.  Acceptances are sent out in early January.  Upon being accepted into an exchange program, students and parents are expected to attend monthly orientations to prepare for the program.  

Read on for more descriptions on each of our exchange programs.

Lexington-Deauville Student Exchange:
This exchange is the longest running, dating back to the 1970s when the first students from Lexington and Deauville participated in an exchange.  It has evolved into a popular program for high school students in Lexington.  

Students on the exchange enjoying Paris.  

To participate in the Lexington-Deauville Student Exchange, students must be between 15-18 years old during the time of the exchange, currently taking French and be in at least French II.  This program, unlike our others, is not just a cultural learning experience but also a language learning experience.  Students are expected to try and speak French while in France, and the French students are expected to improve their English skills while in Lexington.  

The Lexington students travel to France first, leaving near mid-June and staying in France for 3 weeks with their counterpart and family.  The French students then return to Lexington with the Lexington students, usually after the Fourth of July, and spend 3 weeks in Lexington living with their counterpart and their family.  The entire program lasts 6 weeks.  

Exchange students at Mont St. Michel.

While in Deauville, students will be given the opportunity to visit many great sites and historical places, including Mont St. Michel, the Normandy Landing Beaches, the American Cemetery, and Paris.  Not only will students get to experience the beauty of France, but they will also get to improve their French speaking and listening skills by being emerged in the language.  

Visiting the practice site of the Wildcats.  

In Lexington, group activities will be arranged to places such as Kings Island, a Lexington Legends game, and Memorial Coliseum.  The group will also have a potluck dinner on Bastille Day for the French students (while in France, they have a Fourth of July celebration for the Americans).  Students are encouraged to take their students to many sites in the region as well, including Keeneland, the Horse Park, and of course, shopping.  

Lexington-County Kildare Student Exchange:
The Lexington-County Kildare Student Exchange gives students a chance to be more than just a tourist in Ireland.  With this exchange, students are able to live as the Irish live, experiencing the culture first hand.  

Students visiting a castle in Ireland.  

To participate in the Lexington-County Kildare Exchange, students must be between 15-18 years old during the time of the exchange. 

Students meeting Governor Beshear at the Kentucky State Capitol.  

 Irish students travel to Lexington first in the beginning of July so they can experience our celebration of the Fourth of July.  Group activities are organized and include a Lexington Legends Game, Kings Island, visiting Rupp Arena and Memorial Coliseum, and an outdoor activity such as a ropes course.  The Fourth of July parade in downtown Lexington is an exciting site for them to see as well.  

Student visit the American Ambassador to Ireland at his residence in Dublin.  

Lexington students will then travel to Ireland near the middle of July for 10 days.  While in County Kildare, students get to experience the beautiful countryside of Ireland, including the Irish National Stud, Maynooth University, the Curragh Racecourse, and the many castles and scenic views Ireland offers.  

Lexington-Shinhidaka Student Exchange:
You don't have to be taking Japanese to participating in the Lexington-Shinhidaka Student Exchange, and don't be intimidated by the language barrier!  It's easier than you think to find a way to communicate when you don't share a language.  Students must be between 14-18 years old at the time of the exchange to participate.  

Students visit a temple in Japan.  

Shinhidaka students visit Lexington at the end of March each year.  This is one of their school breaks and the most convenient time for them to visit.  They only stay in Lexington for 5 days because they visit California during the end of their trip.  Lexington students may be in school during the Shinhidaka student's visit.  The Shinhidaka students will attend school at least one day with Lexington student's.  Other days, tours will be set up at places like WKYT-TV Station, the Kentucky State Capitol, the Ale-8-One Factory, and the Locust Trace AgriScience School.  

The student group visit the Kentucky State Capitol Building.  

Lexington and Shinhidaka have created an exchange relationship between the Locust Trace AgriScience School and the Shizunai Agriculture School in Shinhidaka.  The two schools exchange lessons and lab procedures to share different educational experiences.  

Students get the chance to play drums during the welcome dinner in Shinhidaka.  

Lexington students travel to Shinhidaka in July for about 10 days.  During the trip to Shinhidaka, students will visit schools, horse farms, cultural sites on Hokkaido (the northern island of Japan where Shinhidaka is located), and possibly traditional Japanese experiences, such as a tea ceremony or flower arranging.  Students will also learn a greeting in Japanese that they will get the chance to recite at a welcome dinner in Shinhidaka.  

Lexington-Newmarket Student Exchange:
Lexington's newest Sister City, Newmarket, is the "Heart of the Horse Industry".  If you think Lexington is all about the horse, just wait until you get to Newmarket.  

Visiting Buckingham Palace in London.  

Students must be between 14-18 years old during the time of the exchange to participate.  

Newmarket College is the only high school in Newmarket. It is now called Newmarket Academy.   

Lexington students will travel to Newmarket during the summer for about 10 days.  While in Newmarket, students are only 12 miles away from Cambridge University and 60 miles away from London.  Newmarket is also home to Tattersalls Sales Pavillion, the British Racing School, and the Jockey Club.  Students will also get the chance to visit school while in Newmarket.  

Students meet Mayor Jim Gray during their visit to Lexington.  

Newmarket students visit Lexington during one of their breaks in October for about a week.  Fall in Lexington is a great time to visit, and students could get the chance to visit Keeneland or even tailgate at a UK Football game.  Take your English student to a pumpkin patch and show them how to carve a pumpkin for Halloween.  They will get the chance to visit school for a day in Lexington, and tours will be set up during other days.  

Are you ready to go yet?  Our exchange programs are great experiences for the students and their families, who get to know the student while hosting in Lexington.  The goal of Lexington Sister Cities (and Sister Cities International) is "promoting peace through mutual respect, cooperation and understanding - one individual, one community at a time".  Our Summer Student Exchange Programs are the best way we can start to promote that international relations and citizen diplomacy in our youth.  

Check out our Facebook page for more pictures of our student exchanges!