2025-2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad)

Deadline: December 06, 2024

Scholarships

Exchange Programs

Location(s)

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Egypt
  • Ghana
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Jordan
  • North Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Morocco
  • Philippines
  • Senegal
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
Worldwide

Overview

U.S. high school students who want to experience another culture can apply for full scholarships to study abroad next school year through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program. As YES Abroad scholars, American high school students promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and the host country by forming lasting relationships with the local community. 

Details

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the YES Abroad program is a component of the Kennedy-Lugar YES program, an exchange program that brings almost 900 high school students from approximately 40 countries with significant Muslim populations to the United States to study each year.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, full scholarships are available through YES Abroad to live with host families and attend a local high school for one academic year in countries that may include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, the Philippines, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkey. The merit-based scholarship covers the following program costs for participants: domestic and international travel, tuition and related academic preparation, accommodations with a host family, educational and cultural activities in the host country, orientations, applicable visa fees, three meals per day, and medical coverage. 

First authorized by the U.S. Congress in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the YES Abroad program seeks to increase communication and understanding between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations. YES Abroad is administered by a consortium of non-profit organizations, including American Councils for International Education, AFS-USA, Amideast, and iEARN-USA.

Living with a host family and attending a local school, YES Abroad students promote mutual understanding between the United States and the host country by forming lasting relationships with the local community. 

Participants live with a host family, attend a local high school, acquire leadership skills, and engage in activities to learn about the host country’s society and values; they also help educate others about American society and values. For specific details, click on any of the participating countries in the list above.

The YES Abroad scholarship covers costs related to: round-trip airfare and room and board for the Pre-Departure Orientation; round-trip airfare between the participant’s home region and community abroad; in-country support; cultural activities; school tuition (where applicable); room and board with a host family; secondary medical benefits; visa fees; and a modest stipend.

The YES Abroad program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is administered by a consortium of organizations led by American Councils for International Education in partnership with AFS-USA, Inc., the American-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST), and the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN).

Opportunity is About


Eligibility

Candidates should be from:


Description of Ideal Candidate

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility details for the 2024-2025 program include:

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must be in grades 9-12 (high school, including home school) at the time of application.
  • You must meet age and GPA requirements specific to the program.
  • Must be born between December 30, 2005 - June 30, 2009.
  • The YES Abroad program welcomes applications from all U.S. citizens regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, geographic location, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
  • Applicants of all grade-point averages and academic performance are encouraged to apply.

For additional eligibility information, please see "Additional Eligibility Information" below. 

Additional Eligibility Information

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) offers many opportunities for American youth to participate in international exchanges. ECA seeks to represent the diversity of America in these youth exchange programs and to make sure the selection process is fair and transparent. Strong selection preference is given to those who have not previously participated in one of the exchange programs listed below or lived abroad for six months or more during the past five years. This eligibility policy applies to the following programs, which take place outside the United States:  

  • Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES Abroad) 
  • National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) 
  • Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) 
  • Youth Leadership Program (participants who traveled overseas only) 
  • Youth Ambassadors Program 

Dates

Deadline: December 06, 2024


Cost/funding for participants

The YES Abroad scholarship covers costs related to: round-trip airfare, room and board for the Pre-Departure Orientation; round-trip airfare between the participant’s home region and community abroad; in-country support; cultural activities; school tuition (where applicable); room and board with a host family; secondary medical benefits; visa fees; and a modest stipend.

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