This July, the City of Noblesville will once again open its doors—and its hearts—to international guests through the Noblesville Sister Cities Youth Exchange. For 10 days, Noblesville families will host students, chaperones and dignitaries from Cittadella, Italy, and Nova Prata, Brazil, in an exciting cultural exchange that has spanned nearly three decades and three continents.
Rooted in the mission of promoting peace through mutual respect and understanding, the Noblesville Sister Cities program builds lasting relationships across cultures — one student, one conversation and one connection at a time.
A Week of Connection, Culture and Community
The 2025 exchange begins Tuesday, July 15, as Brazilian and Italian delegations arrive in Noblesville. What follows is an immersive schedule full of iconic Indiana adventures and meaningful local experiences. From a mayoral welcome and downtown scavenger hunt to hiking the Indiana Dunes and exploring downtown Indianapolis, students will see what it’s like to live — and thrive — as a teenager in Noblesville.
Highlights include attending the Noblesville Farmers Market, a tour of Grand Park, visiting monuments in downtown Indy, volunteering at Teter Farms and enjoying a lake day on Morse Reservoir. But what makes this experience unforgettable isn’t the sightseeing — it’s the friendships.
“These students arrive as strangers, but they leave as friends,” said Michelle Busalacchi, president of Noblesville Sister Cities and longtime advocate of the exchange. “Experiencing daily life in a new country gives them a broader perspective — and memories that stay with them forever.”
A Mural to Remember
This year, the program will dedicate a special gift to the City of Noblesville — a new downtown mural commemorating the Sister Cities program. Designed and painted by Frank Hindes, an architect and artist who has chaperoned, hosted and championed the program for years, the mural is being created across three large panels in his garage and will be revealed to the public during a special dedication on Monday, July 21.
Hindes’ contributions underscore the spirit of the program: a deep commitment to building bridges through creativity, hospitality and civic pride.
A Global Legacy with Local Impact
Since its founding in 1996, Noblesville Sister Cities has flourished through partnerships with Nova Prata, Brazil, and Cittadella, Italy. What began with mayoral agreements and cultural exploration has evolved into youth programs, medical collaborations, economic roundtables and enduring personal relationships. Over the years, Noblesville has even donated a firetruck, an ambulance and essential medical equipment to its sister cities — and this year, the city will continue that tradition with a donation of fire safety gear and uniforms to Nova Prata.
The Youth Ambassador Program continues to be the heartbeat of that mission. Open to Noblesville residents ages 16 to 19, the program offers students the opportunity to represent their hometown abroad every year. In 2026, Noblesville students will travel to Nova Prata, Brazil, followed by a visit to Cittadella, Italy, in 2027.
Applications for the next student cohort will open in early 2026. “It’s incredible to see these students — who come from completely different parts of the world — form real friendships in just a few days,” said Busalacchi. “They realize quickly how much they have in common, and it changes the way they see the world.”
Get Involved
Want to learn more or explore how your child can get involved in 2026? Visit noblesvillesistercities.my.canva.site or reach out to Noblesville Sister Cities President Michelle Busalacchi at noblesvillesistercities@gmail.com.
Because when we build global friendships at home, we help shape a more compassionate, connected world.
