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A program of the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs What is YES? Youth Exchange and Study (YES) is a program that was established in October, 2002 and sponsored by ECA to provide scholarships for high school students (15-17 years) to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. The program is vital to expanding communication between the people of the United States and the partner countries in the interest of promoting mutual understanding and respect. 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 goals of the program are:
With these goals in mind, this program provides scholarships for secondary school students from YES countries to spend up to one academic year in the United States, living with U.S. host families and attending high school. Programmatic activities introduce students to the principles of civic education, civil society, rule of law, community service, and youth leadership as they are practiced in the United States. Simultaneously, American students learn about their classmates’ lives in the YES countries. Upon their return the students apply their leadership skills in their home countries. In addition, alumni groups have formed and been involved with many community service activities including clothing drives, mentoring younger children and English teaching, immunization drives, and much more The program is funded by the US Government. What does youth exchange achieve? The concept of exchange programs grew out of a desire for nations and their peoples to build bridges of understanding. In many countries, the youth exchange movement has become well known and accepted since the end of World War II. What makes youth exchange successful is the unique way in which young people learn about another country and culture: by living as a member of a host family, not as a guest. The result over the years has been a global awareness of the positive impact of exchange, not only on relations among nations, but on the lives of hundreds of thousands of participants, their peers, schools, communities, and parents. Many of today’s world, national, and local leaders have participated in the exchange experience firsthand and attest to its positive impact on their lives. What does the scholarship provide? The scholarship provides the following:
The scholarship does NOT cover the following costs:
This scholarship program is fully funded by the United States Government and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State. ECA fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. The program is supported at the local level by U.S. citizens and local secondary schools that voluntarily host, educate, and support students with no financial compensation.
In keeping with the U.S. Government-sponsored initiatives dedicated to democratic reform the competition for the Youth Exchange and Study scholarship is merit-based and open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements: Eligible applicants must:
Who is NOT eligible?
The program can support students with disabilities and encourages their participation. ECA works with Mobility International (MIUSA) to provide students with disabilities with leadership-building workshops and appropriate information and support as needed to enhance their year in America. Students with disabilities born between 15 March, 1993 and 15 July, 1996 and who have not yet graduated from secondary school are eligible to apply for YES. Independent panels of American professionals in education and international relations in the United States will select finalists and alternate candidates. Selection will be based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application, teacher references, and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience. Students also will be required to provide medical evaluations and be certified as medically fit to participate in the program. The selection process will be completed in spring, and all applicants will receive notification of their status by mid-May. English-language proficiency is important but not the sole element in selection. What happens after notification? Upon notification, finalists, alternates and their parents will receive orientation materials to prepare them for departure. They must officially notify American Councils that they accept the scholarship and provide any additional documentation requested. Students must begin the process of applying for an international passport and U.S. visa immediately upon acceptance to the program. From May through August, American Councils and its partner organizations will match finalists with qualified U.S. host families and arrange for enrollment in local secondary schools. In June and July, scholarship recipients will participate in a pre-program orientation in their home countries. Students will then travel to their U.S. host families and communities to begin the exchange experience in August. Students must return to their home countries at the end of the program on the date assigned by American Councils. The U.S. visa issued for program participants will not be amended or extended beyond the program end date for any reason. Representatives of American Councils for International Education will visit cities to conduct testing during the Autumn. Applicants must bring to the testing center proof of eligibility (birth certificate) and one recent 3x4 cm photo at the time of initial registration. Testing center locations will be announced as soon as possible through press and radio announcements and information can be accessed via Internet at www.americancouncilssee.org or www.americancouncils.org . Applicants may participate at only ONE test center each fall. All applicants will take a short English test (Round 1). Those who pass the first test will take a longer English-language proficiency test and write a composition in English (Round 2, which usually takes place on the day after Round 1). Candidates must successfully complete the first two rounds of the competition before they receive final application materials and are interviewed. After successful completion of Rounds 1 and 2, English language ability is no longer considered as a basis for selection. How will I benefit from the exchange experience? The Youth Exchange and Study program offers students an opportunity to learn about the people and culture of the United States, and also to teach others about the people and culture of their country. Students gain an appreciation for and develop sensitivity to other cultures, experience personal growth and independence, and become better prepared for an increasingly interdependent world. Students form strong ties with their American host families and U.S. communities building relationships that often last a lifetime. Participants will also acquire the personal skills, an understanding of civil society, and develop leadership ability that will enable them to solve problems and in turn address issues of concern to their home communities. What are some of the possible disadvantages? Students who are interested in this program should consider the possible negative effects of this program:
The recruitment, selection, orientation, travel arrangements, and alumni activities for the program are organized by the American Councils for International Education, a not-for-profit organization leading the development and exchange of knowledge between the U.S. and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Balkans. Its mission is to foster independence and democratic development by advancing education and research, cultivating leadership, and empowering individuals and institutions through learning. Over the past 30 years, American Councils has developed into one of the premier education and training organizations working in the region. It administers more than 30 exchange and training programs, including several U.S. government programs for secondary school students, university students and graduates students, teachers, and professors. Other private, non-profit organizations in the United States, such as World Link, PAX, and ASPECT also support YES. The U.S. government has asked these organizations to match participants with U.S. host families and to organize local activities during the year-long program.
From the American Councils office in Belgrade: From the American Councils office in Sarajevo: From the American Councils office in Pristina: From the American Councils office in Skopje: From the American Councils office in Tirana: From the American Councils office in Sofia:
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