MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Two former participants in the Ulster Project are helping guide the next generation of teens as the 2026 exchange program gets underway in Hutchinson.
Kaleb King and Kamryn Keast, who both participated in the program as teenagers, are serving as counselors for this year's group of local youth hosting visitors from Northern Ireland. During a recent interview, both said the experience had a lasting impact on their lives and inspired them to return as mentors.
King, who participated in 2015, described the program as "life-changing," saying it introduced him to lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities and a greater appreciation for his hometown.
"I thought I knew all about Hutchinson growing up here," King said. "Then doing the project, I learned more about different organizations and what there is to do. Everyone always says Hutch is boring, but Hutch is not boring."
The Ulster Project brings together teenagers from Northern Ireland and communities across the United States to promote understanding, friendship and reconciliation. Participants spend about a month together, living with host families and taking part in community activities.
This year's Hutchinson group includes students from several Reno County schools, including Hutchinson High School, Trinity Catholic and Buhler High School. Before the Irish teens arrived, the American participants spent several months getting to know one another through activities such as bowling, sand volleyball, ice cream outings and preparing for the annual talent show. Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland participants were meeting together overseas and connecting with their American counterparts through group chats.
King acknowledged that many participants are initially nervous about welcoming someone from another country into their home for an entire month, but said those concerns typically disappear once the friendships begin to develop.
Counselors carefully matched participants based on shared interests and personalities, reviewing biographies and working with counselors in Northern Ireland to pair students likely to connect well.
Kamryn Keast, who participated in the project in 2019, said she was hesitant before joining but quickly discovered how rewarding the experience could be.
"It was a lot of fun," Keast said. "I made a lot of good memories and made a lot of new friends. If people are interested in doing it, I would definitely recommend it."
The counselors said one of this year's unexpected common interests is history. Many of the American and Irish teens enjoy history podcasts and are eager to learn more about each other's countries during the exchange. They also noted that while the cultures have differences, participants often discover they share many of the same challenges and interests as teenagers.
King believes the program's greatest strength is the lasting impact it has on participants, noting that all four counselors serving this summer—two from the United States and two from Northern Ireland—are former Ulster Project participants themselves.
"We wouldn't be back if it didn't have an impact on us," King said.
Beyond international friendships, the counselors said the program helps participants develop leadership skills, broaden their understanding of their own communities and build relationships that often continue long after the month-long exchange ends.