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Gastonia Sister Cities Student Application 2027

Student Application

This is a multi-part application. The Student portion is to be filled out by the student. The Parent portion requires your parents to fill out all documentation regarding homestay, health and student information. The Recommendation Forms (2) must be recieved from two adults that know you well from a formal instructional capacity like a youth leader, mentor, coach or teacher.

Your application is not complete until we have recieved all parts.

Please look through the application questions and essay and prepare your answers before you begin to type in the form as there is no "save" option to come back to the application once you begin.

First Choice Travel Location:

Germany

Peru

Either

I. Student Information:

Please provide your full name as it appears on your passport or will appear on your passport when you get it.

Nick name or preferred name:

Unisex Adult T-Shirt Size

How did you hear about this program?

Friend who has been (word of mouth)

Flyer

Social Media

School teacher or counselor

Other

If "friend" or "other" please include name or explain:

II. About You

Name of Gaston County School attending:

If Other, please name:

2026-2027 Grade (you will travel in the summer of 2027 and host the fall of 2027).

Freshman (9th)

Sophomore (10th)

Junior (11th)

Senior (12th)- only for 5 year programs (GEC)

Short Answers: Our selections committee will be reading these answers to get a sense of who you are, how you engage in the world around you and what makes you interested in our program. Please write in your own words without the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The selection committee is interested in your authentic voice and experiences.

What World Language(s) have you studied and please give grades/ proficiencies for each. If you haven't studied the language of the country you would like to travel to, what will you do to prepare yourself?

Besides studying a world language, what classes, books, activities, travel, relationships, or other experiences have helped prepare you to learn about another culture? How have these experiences shaped your interest in participating in the Gastonia Sister Cities exchange program?

Describe how you spend your time outside of school, including clubs, sports, music, work, volunteering, hobbies, or family responsibilities. Which of these activities would you most enjoy sharing with your host family?

Describe any jobs, volunteer positions, or regular responsibilities you have had. What did you learn from those experiences?

Tell us about a time you made someone else feel welcome or included. What did you do, and why?

Describe a time you worked as part of a team. What role did you naturally take, and why?

Describe a time when you interacted with someone whose background, beliefs, culture, or life experiences were different from your own. What did you learn from that experience, and how might it help you as an exchange student?

What strengths, experiences, or personal qualities would help you be an excellent representative of Gastonia and the United States? Please include specific examples.

What parts of your family, community, or American life would you be most excited to share with your host family?

II. Student Travel Experience: For informational purposes only, no scoring

What is the longest time you have been away from your family?

One night

One weekend or long weekend

A week or more

I haven't been away from my family overnight

Have you traveled by plane before?

Have you ever traveled outside of the US?

III. Essay

Being an exchange student is about much more than traveling. It means becoming part of another family, adapting to unfamiliar customs, representing your community, and building relationships across cultures.Please write 450-500 word essay on this prompt:Imagine that it is your third day with your host family. Some things feel unfamiliar, you are still adjusting to a hearing a different language and routine, and you are beginning to miss home. Describe how you would approach this experience. What attitudes, personal qualities, and actions would help you be successful? What would you hope to learn from your host family, and what would you hope they learn about you and your community?Use specific examples from your own life to support your response.Please write in your own words without the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The selection committee is interested in your authentic voice and experiences.

Please upload your essay here.

Participation in this program requires the following: please check each box to show understanding that you will adhere to the program guidelines and complete the necessary requirments.

Attending all mandatory culture classes

Completing assignments for culture classes

Practicing the host country language with resources

Submitting a media project at the end of the summer

Making a presentation to the Sister Cities Board of Directors, public group or school before the end of the following school year

Attend the group interview on Saturday Nov. 8; 9 am- 1pm

Have 1 guardian attend a family meeting and interview Saturday Nov 8

IV. Other Parts of Application

Check that you understand that your application is incomplete until the selection committee receives:

2 Recommendation forms from your teachers, coaches or other adult mentors in your life (cannot be related to you)

Family application filled by Parent or Guardian

V. Student Signature

By signing below I attest that I have completed the application for the Sister Cities Program and understand the requirements and guidelines. I also acknowldege that the answers in this application are my own work, and I am truthfully replying to all questions.

I understand that my photo and likeness may be used and that there may be videos for purposes of documenting or advertising for the trip by Gastonia Sister Cities, the Shelby Star (Gaston Gazette), Gaston County School publications or other vetted entities. I acknowledge that there will be a media project that I will participate in and my work may be used to support the program in visual, audio, or other media methods and that I will be credited for such work but not compensated through the program.

I, the undersigned student, affirm that as a participant:

I will represent my home community with respect and responsibility.
I will follow the rules and expectations outlined by the program organizers and chaperones.
I will maintain regular communication with my group leaders.
I will conduct myself in a manner that reflects positively on myself, my family, and my school.
If selected from the applicant pool I will be available for the group interview on Saturday November 7, 9-1 pm in downtown Gastonia.
At least 1 guardian will need to be available for a family meeting and interview also on Saturday November 7, but the times will vary depending on family interview scheduling.
I also understand my application is not complete until I have submitted 2 letters of recommendation to the program and my parents have filled out the parent portion.

Student Signature:

First Name

Last Name

Choose how to sign

Draw Type

I agree to electronically sign and to create a legally binding contract between the other party and myself, or the entity I am authorized to represent.

Today's Date:

Receipt

You will be provided with a Receipt upon submission.