What is a Sister City?
A Sister City is a long-term partnership between communities in different countries that promotes friendship, cultural understanding, educational opportunities, and citizen diplomacy.

Gastonia has official Sister City relationships with:

• Gotha, Germany
• Santiago de Surco (Lima), Peru

These relationships create opportunities for students, families, educators, artists, and community members to learn from one another while building international friendships.

Program at a Glance

• Open to Gaston County high school students:
  • 9^th, 10^th, or 11^th grade- preference give to 10^th and 11^th grade but does not preclude a well-prepared 9^th grader
• Competitive application and interview process
• Spring cultural preparation classes
• Become a Student Ambassador representing Gastonia
• Approximately two-week international exchange
• Live with a carefully selected host family abroad
  • Before traveling, students are matched with their host families and begin building relationships through video calls, messaging, and other online communication.
• Guidance and resources to families to help prepare for welcoming an international student into their home.
• Host your exchange partner in Gastonia
• Approximately 20 students selected annually (10 students on each trip)

• Costs vary each year based primarily on airfare and optional excursions. Gastonia Sister Cities works hard to keep program costs as affordable as possible for participating families.  Program fees typically do not include:

  • Passport fees
  • Personal spending money
  • Souvenirs
  • Some meals while traveling
  • Optional travel insurance

 Once selected students participate in cultural preparation classes throughout the spring semester.
These sessions help students:

• Learn about the history and traditions of their destination country
• Develop cross-cultural communication skills
• Build confidence traveling internationally
• Understand expectations for representing Gastonia as Student Ambassadors
• Prepare for living with a host family

Host families also receive orientation, guidance, and resources to help prepare for welcoming an international student into their home.

How the Exchange Works
Every exchange includes two equally important experiences.

Part 1 – Live with Your Host Family Abroad (Summer)

• Students spend approximately two weeks living with a carefully selected host family in Germany or Peru. During their stay, they become part of everyday family life while experiencing the culture from the inside—not as a tourist, but as a family member.
• Depending on the school calendar, students may attend classes with their exchange partner, participate in local cultural activities, explore historical sites, and experience daily life in their host community.
• Before traveling, students are matched with their host families and begin building relationships through video calls, messaging, and other online communication.
• Host families are carefully screened and selected by our Sister City partners. Whenever possible, students are thoughtfully matched based on shared interests, personalities, ages, and family dynamics.

• Germany Exchange
  • Approximately 10-day exchange
  • Entire stay with host family in Gotha and most meal expenses are covered by the host families

  • Pricing includes: International airfare, Cultural preparation classes, Instructional materials and program fees
    Approximately $1,900 *2026 Pricing Costs vary each year based primarily on airfare and optional excursions
    2027 Germany Travel Dates:  June TBD 2027 

• Peru Exchange
  • Approximately 13-day exchange
  • Host family stay in Santiago de Surco (Lima)
  • Pricing includes: International airfare and includes four days exploring the Cusco region with hotel accommodations, Cultural preparation classes, Instructional materials and program fees
    Approximately $2,500* 2026 pricing Costs vary each year based primarily on airfare and optional excursions
    2027 Peru Travel Dates: June 4- June 17 (Leave at night on Friday, arrive Cusco Saturday midday, 5 days in Cusco, 6 days in Surco/Lima)

Part 2 – Welcome Your Exchange Partner to Gastonia (Fall)

The exchange continues when students welcome their international partner into their own home for approximately two weeks during the fall.
Host families share everyday life with their guest by providing:

• A bed, can be shared bedroom if same gender
• Daily meals
• Family activities
• Opportunities to experience Gastonia and our community

International students typically attend school with their host sibling for one day. Gastonia Sister Cities coordinates additional cultural activities, community visits, and programming throughout their stay.

Hosting is just as meaningful as traveling and allows families to experience another culture without leaving home.

Why Participate?

Students consistently describe this program as life-changing. Beyond international travel, participants develop skills and relationships that benefit them throughout college, careers, and adulthood. 

Participants gain:

• Increased confidence and independence
• Leadership experience
• Cross-cultural communication skills
• Greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Lifelong friendships
• A stronger global perspective
• Valuable college and scholarship experiences
• Memories that last a lifetime

Many former ambassadors remain in contact with their host families and exchange partners for years, often visiting one another again as adults.

Visit our Testimonials page to hear directly from former exchange students and host families.

How to Apply
The application consists of four parts.
1. Student Application: Students complete the online application, answer essay questions, and provide information about themselves. https://seam.ly/ziCg1E3N
Before beginning, applicants are encouraged to review the essay prompts using the downloadable PDF guide.

2. Parent/Guardian Application:  A parent or guardian completes the family application, which includes household information and required documentation. https://seam.ly/PsQwUJej

3. Recommendations: Each applicant must submit two recommendation forms from adults who know them well, such as:https://seam.ly/gHjbTpcJ

• Teachers
• Coaches
• Youth leaders
• Employers
• Mentors

4. Interview: Applicants selected as finalists will be invited to interview with the selection committee. Parents and guardians also attend a required family meeting and brief interview on the same day.

How Are Students Selected?
After all four parts of the application have been received, the selection committee reviews each application holistically.
The committee evaluates applicants based on qualities including:
• Cultural curiosity
• Maturity
• Initiative
• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Leadership
• Character
• Willingness to engage with new people and experiences
• Commitment to representing Gastonia positively

The strongest applicants are invited to participate in an interview.
Interviews are conducted in small groups because international exchange is a team experience. This format allows the committee to observe how students communicate, collaborate, and interact with others.
Final selections are made shortly after interviews.

Each year, we choose approximately:
• 10 students travel to Germany
• 10 students travel to Peru

Program size is limited by the number of available host families and transportation capacity.
Students who are not selected are encouraged to participate in Peace Crew, which provides additional opportunities for service and cultural engagement while strengthening future exchange applications.

Is This Program Right for Me?

This program is ideal for students who are:

• Curious about the world
• Open to new experiences
• Willing to step outside their comfort zone
• Respectful of different cultures
• Adaptable and responsible
• Excited to build lifelong friendships
• Interested in serving as ambassadors for Gastonia

Students do not need previous international travel experience to participate

The world is waiting—and your journey begins here! 

Do I need to speak German or Spanish?

No. Most students participate with little or no prior language experience, but many students realize the value of having a foreign language during the trip, so preparation is always encouraged. A willingness to learn, communicate, and embrace another culture is far more important than fluency.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Students must have a valid passport before international travel. Gastonia Sister Cities will provide guidance throughout the process.

Is this a tour group?

No. Unlike traditional travel programs, students live with host families and experience everyday life as members of another family. The focus is cultural exchange, relationship building, and mutual understanding.

How are host families selected?

Our Sister City partners carefully screen and select host families. Students are thoughtfully matched whenever possible based on shared interests, personalities, and family dynamics.

Is the program supervised?

Yes. Students are supported throughout the exchange by Gastonia Sister Cities staff and our trusted Sister City partners. Local coordinators are available should any questions or concerns arise during the exchange.

Is There Financial Assistance?
Yes. Gastonia Sister Cities believes international exchange should be accessible to as many students as possible.
Limited partial scholarships are available. Students may also participate in fundraising opportunities, and flexible payment plans are offered.
Each year, Gastonia Sister Cities actively pursues grants and community partnerships to help reduce program costs for participating families.

If you would like to help make this life-changing opportunity possible for a student, please visit our Giving page to learn how you can support the Student Ambassador Program.

Click on each parent testimonial to read about their entire experience.