Pictured here are two Newtownabbey residents, Emma Douglas from Monkstown Community School and Orlagh Baird from Dominican College who have earned the opportunity of a lifetime to experience a trip to our Sister City Gilbert, Arizona, USA. 

The two students successfully applied to take part in the Council’s Student Exchange Programme and today are being presented with their tickets by Councillor Vera McWilliam, Chairperson of International Linkages Advisory Committee.

They will leave Newtownabbey at the end of June for a three week stay with a family in Gilbert.  Gilbert has also selected two students who will travel back with Emma and Orlagh in July for a three week stay in Newtownabbey.  All four have already been exchanging emails and are enjoying planning their activities. 

Councillor Vera McWilliam, Chairperson of the International Linkages Advisory Committee commented:

“This programme provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to see the wonders of Gilbert and Arizona in a way that is not available to the casual visitor as their host family will spend time and take pleasure in showing them the treasures of the area while teaching them about their local cultures and customs.” 

The Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme is a cross-community programme that has been running from 2000.