Youth Exchange and Study: South Eastern Europe (YES:e)

Eligibility:

Secondary School Students from YES countries, aged 15 to 17

Length:

One academic year

Deadline:

Check http://www.ac-see.org for updates on recruitment.

Funded By:

This program is fully funded by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Youth Exchange and Study (YES) was established in October, 2002 and sponsored 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 its partner countries in the program in order to promote mutual understanding and respect. Students live with a host family, attend a U.S. 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 many. Foremost, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and American Councils aim to promote a better understanding among youth from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Macedonia about American society, people, institutions, values, and culture. Other goals include fostering lasting personal ties, engaging the exchange participants in activities that promote mutual understanding, respect for diversity, leadership skills, and an understanding of civil society, enhancing Americans’ understanding of foreign students’ countries and cultures, and increasing the capacity of organizations in participating countries to engage youth in activities that enhance program goals.

Program Resources

• Documents
• Announcements