2026 Kildare - Lexington Student Exchange Programme
Opportunity Knocks: Kildare - Lexington Student Exchange Programme returns for 2026
Kildare County Council is delighted to announce the return of the highly successful Kildare–Lexington Student Exchange Programme for summer 2026. This unique initiative, a collaboration between the twinning committees of County Kildare and Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., offers students an opportunity for an unforgettable cultural experience.
Since its formation in 1984, Kildare and Lexington have shared a strong bond, and the student exchange programme has become one of the most cherished aspects of this partnership. Each year, students from Kildare travel to Lexington, experiencing American life firsthand, while also welcoming a Lexington student into their homes - fostering lifelong friendships and cultural understanding.
Programme Details
The purpose of the Kildare - Lexington Student Exchange Programme is to provide a genuine cultural and family experience in another country for second level students from County Kildare and those from Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
The County Kildare student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) must be willing and able to receive a USA student in their home for approximately the same length of time as the Irish student is in America, but not simultaneously. The Irish and the American student should be together for both parts of the exchange. Students should exhibit maturity, flexibility, and an interest in Irish and American culture.
The exchange will be during the summer and the proposed dates are as follows;
Irish Students
Departing from Dublin airport on Friday, 26 June 2026
Returning to Dublin airport on Monday, 6 July 2026
USA Students
Arriving to Dublin airport on Friday, 10 July 2026
Departing from Dublin airport on Monday, 20 July 2026
Please note the proposed dates may be subject to change depending on flights and times available when booking.
The students will travel as a group with an adult chaperone. You should be prepared to incur an expense of approximately €750 in transportation costs (Additional costs above this are met by grant funding from Kildare County Council). The host family will provide room and board. Additional information will be given about your hosting of a student from Lexington at a later date.
Making an application
The application form is an online form and is available at the following by clicking this link.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 5 December 2025.
Eligibility
Students must be 16 years of age by 1st June 2026 and should exhibit maturity, flexibility, and an interest in Irish and American culture. If selected for this programme students must have a valid passport, which does not expire for at least 6 months after the date of return to Ireland.
For more information email; twinning@kildarecoco.ie