Every year families in Central New York host kids from Northern Ireland for the summer. It's part of a program called Project Children. 

This year, 11-year-old Patrick McAllister, from Belfast, is fitting right in with the Mayosky family.  And while there are many differences in the two countries and cultures, they are finding similarities too, like a popular sport.  Though it's called futbol in Northern Ireland and soccer in the states, the game is the same.  And kids in the Baldwinsville neighborhood have been kicking the ball around a lot since McAllister came to Central New York. 

Frank Mayosky said "He's teaching the boys in the neighborhood how to play soccer and we thought we knew how to play soccer until he kicked the ball around and he wants to learn how to play baseball."

"Playing futbol or playing soccer, and baseball and basketball,” Patrick said those have been his favorite times so far.

All those sports have the kids working up an appetite, and Patrick’s first trip to an American grocery store was an event in itself.  He has just one word to describe Wegmans, “massive,” said Patrick.

"Patrick walks inside and just looked at everything like 'wow' - it's a little different I guess than Ireland grocery shopping,” said Nancy Mayosky.

Part of Project Children's goals is to expose the kids to new experiences in the states, the program has been going strong in Syracuse for 3 decades.  And for the past 2 years, Central New York has welcomed the most kids, surpassing every other area the country.  This summer, 44 children are visiting with host families.

"We all talked about it as a family and we said lets try this,” said Nancy.  “We're learning about his family, and his culture and how they do things a little differently than us but really we're all the same."

Northern Ireland has struggled with religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics.  Organizers say Project Children shows kids they have nothing to fear from each other, but a lot to gain.

"There are children who came over 10-12 years ago that have grown, and they're making a difference in Ireland, trying to break that religious strife over there,” said Frank.

Patrick will be here until the end of July.  Nancy says he was chosen for the program by his teacher, because he did well in school.  The family plans to show him all around the state of New York, with trips planned to Niagara Falls, Long Island and Lake George.

To learn more about Project Children, log onto www.projectchildrensyracuse.org