YES Abroad
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Apply now for the 2012 - 2013 YES Abroad Program: Application deadline is January 11, 2012!
If you are interested in volunteering to review first round applications for YES Abroad please see YES Abroad Scholarship Review Committee
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Background
YES Program Background
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program was established in October, 2002. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) 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. In 2007, YES Abroad was established to provide a similar experience for U.S. students (15-19 years) in selected YES countries. The first YES Abroad students were abroad for the 2009-10 year, with the second year of the program commencing in 2011-12.
The Kennedy-Lugar 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 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, along with the U.S. exchange community, recognized the importance of youth exchange 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.
This resulted in appropriations committed by Congress in 2002, followed by a call for grant proposals later that same year. Like-minded high school exchange organizations in the U.S. worked together to provide a large number of scholarships within a compact time frame for the first year of the program, the 2003-04 academic year.
General YES Abroad Background
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is offering American high school students and recent graduates in the U.S. full scholarships for up to one academic year to live and study abroad in countries with significant Muslim populations. Scholarships cover expenses for program fees, pre-departure and arrival orientations in Washington DC, secondary health insurance, and ensure careful placement with host families that, like you, are eager to share themselves with the world.
YES Abroad Goals
Like the YES inbound program, students live with host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about the host country’s society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate others about American culture while learning about their host country’s culture. During the 2012-2013 school year, 55 American students will travel overseas.
Upon their return the students will apply their leadership skills in the United States. In addition, alumni groups will help participants continue to be involved with many community service activities including: clothing drives, mentoring younger children, and much more.
YES Abroad Countries
2012 - 2013 YES Abroad Destination Countries
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Egypt
- Ghana
- India
- Indonesia
- Mali (semester only)
- Malaysia
- Morocco
- Oman
- Thailand
- Turkey
Map of 2012 - 2013 YES Abroad Destination Countries
Administering Organizations
- AFS-USA
- American Councils for International Education
- iEARN
- AMIDEAST
Application and Selection
Recruitment
The following materials are available for recruitment for the YES Abroad program:
To order these and other print materials, please complete the following order form. Allow 10 business days for order fulfillment and delivery. If you have any questions or special requests, please contact LaDonna Funderburke at lfunderburke@afs.org.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens
- Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 years and six months when the program begins (between July and September)
- In order to apply, applicants must not yet have received a high school diploma
- Immediate family members of individuals who work with the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program at the U.S. Department of State or one of the implementing organizations are NOT eligible
- Previous participants of international exchange programs funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, are NOT eligible
Selection Process Overview
The first part of the application process consists of completing the application (please see detailed list of application sections below). In addition to completing all sections of the online application, you are also required to submit comprehensive medical evaluation forms, a parent's statement, an official transcript, and letters of recommendation. Your complete application, less the medical evaluation forms, is due by January 11, 2012.
The first round of application review will result in Semi-Finalist notifications in late February. Semi-Finalists will be invited to attend an In-Person Selection Event (IPSE) at a central location in late March. Travel and lodging expenses for invited candidates will be covered by the YES Abroad scholarship. The final round of applicant review will result in the announcement of YES Abroad Finalists in mid April.
Depending upon which organization administers your program, an in-home interview with a local volunteer or organizational representative may be part of the screening process. You will learn about any additional steps you may need to take, including the possibility of scheduling an in-home interview, as selection announcements are made.
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrate maturity, good character, and scholastic aptitude
- Preference will be given to students who have received a majority of their high school education in the U.S.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have not resided or studied in the country to which they are applying
- Commitment to cultural immersion in a host culture through a home stay experience
- Interest in learning the predominant language of the host culture
- Ability to meet cross-cultural challenges with maturity, humor and an open mind
- Plans for sharing their overseas experience in their U.S. home school/community
Scholarship Overview
Included in the YES Abroad Scholarship
The YES Abroad scholarship covers full tuition in a study abroad program administered by AFS Intercultural Programs, American Councils for International Education, iEARN-USA, or AMIDEAST. This encompasses:
- Pre-departure cultural orientation
- Visa fees
- In-country orientation and support
- In-country cultural activities
- Living in-country with a host family
- Modest in-country living stipend
- Secondary health benefits
- Re-entry orientation
- Membership in the U.S. State Department alumni network, including access to alumni outreach activities
Common Costs Not Included in the YES Abroad Scholarship
- Costs associated with obtaining a valid U.S. passport
- Required medical examinations and immunizations
- Participants determine the amount of pocket money needed for their personal expenses during the program
More Information
- YES Program
- YES Abroad Program
