About the Program
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program was established in October, 2002 to provide scholarships for high school students (15-17 years) from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. Students live with host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures.
The YES Program evolved out of a generalized recognition that public diplomacy efforts had been neglected in many countries around the world for many years and that the effects of this came into stark focus in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. The importance of youth exchange was recognized as a key component of renewed commitment to building bridges between citizens of the U.S. and countries around the world, particularly those with significant Muslim populations.
In a wonderful exchange of culture and customs, high school students between the ages of 15 and 18, from Egypt, Gaza, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia,West Bank, and Yemen, Saudi Arabia & many more, live as a “son” or “daughter” in an American family and attend high school for a school year.
• Round-trip international travel (from home to the United States and back)
• Monthly allowance to help students participate in social activities and buy necessary personal supplies
• Placement with a selected U.S. host family for one year
• Enrollment in a U.S. secondary school
• Program orientation activities including pre-program preparation and re-entry preparation
• Program activities arranged in local U.S. communities
• Support for alumni as they implement projects in their home communities
• Medical insurance.
The recruitment, selection, orientation, travel arrangements, and alumni activities for the program are organized by Western Studies Institute and AFS-USA a non-profit international exchange organization for students and adults that operates in more than 50 countries, and organizes and supports intercultural learning experiences.
www.afsusa.org
One of the most exciting and unique aspects of YES is that it joins together with several exchange programs that work in partnership to arrange homestays and support host families and students throughout the exchange.
For more information on the YES program and placement organizations please visit: www.yesprograms.org/about
