- American Councils Kosova, located in the heart of Prishtina, opened in 2005. In the ensuing years, American Councils has administered and supported international scholarships for hundreds of educators and other professionals, as well as graduate, college, and high school students.American Councils Kosova works closely with the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo and maintains relationships with vital stakeholders, including Ministry of Education and Science, USAID and local community organizations and… Read More
- The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program seeks to provide high school students from countries around the world with a better understanding of American society and its people, institutions, values, and culture.Funded by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this program helps students to foster lasting personal ties, engage in activities that promote mutual understanding across cultures, establish leadership skills, and understand… Read More
- Editor's note: In 1996, Thomas Burns decided to take his study of the Russian language to the next level by spending a semester in St. Petersburg and what is now the Russian Language and Area Studies Program. Since then, he's lived and worked in several other countries while building his career as a visual storyteller. Today, he is based in Tbilisi, Georgia. Why did you decide to study abroad in Russia?I had been studying Russian at college in the US, but I just wasn’t happy with… Read More
- It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and dear friend, Zdenka Nikolovska. Zdenka, who served as the Country Representative for American Councils for International Education in North Macedonia since 2015, left an indelible mark on our organization, embodying the values of dedication, innovation, and compassion. Zdenka’s tenure with American Councils was marked by an unwavering commitment to fostering global understanding and educational exchange.… Read More
- Sponsored by the United States Department of State, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program promotes mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and 22 countries across Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia.Every FLEX exchange student lives with a volunteer host family for one academic year to learn about American values, attend a U.S. high school, and teach Americans about their home countries. Participants return home galvanized and inspired to share their new experiences… Read More
- Editor's note: From our most junior level staffers to our president, our global staff has a lot of knowledge about exchange to share. This month, we asked them to share some of their best advice, based on their studies, work experience, and their time working at American Councils. For this piece, we asked: What is your best advice for someone going on an exchange program? 1. Be prepared to present [your] country's culture, do not hesitate to make new friends, have a good… Read More
- When Jelena Jevtic first heard about the UN Youth Assembly, she wasn't sure if she should apply.But she did. She will be one of more than 1,000 students from around the world involved in the prestigious gathering next month in New York City.Born in Serbia, Jelena is a senior at Bluefield State College in West Virginia, where as the student government association president she has spearheaded the celebration of UN Day, International Women's Day, as well as the first-ever recycling initiatives on… Read More
- Growing up in the capital city of Macedonia, Emir Hasanovic learned about America through pop culture and Hollywood.When he applied for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program in 2008, social media did not have the same level of prominence that it does today. After he was accepted, he imagined how his American story would unfold.He assumed he would be placed in a big city, like he had seen in movies – New York City or Chicago. He was placed in Lyle, Minnesota.In 2008, the… Read More
- Angela Gjekanovikj isn’t an ambassador yet, but she’s been practicing for years.She was only a teenager when she traveled from Skopje, Macedonia, to Bakersfield, California, to start her academic year abroad with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program.“It was the moment I stepped out of the plane I started sharing Macedonia,” she said with a laugh, during a recent phone interview. “In Macedonia we kiss (three times), and I kissed all of them.”Her host parents and host sister, armed… Read More
- Twenty years ago, a visionary step was taken by the United States Congress as they established the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, named after Senators Ted Kennedy and Richard Lugar. Created in response to the events of September 11, 2001, YES provides opportunities for high school students from countries around the world to immerse themselves in an American high school, develop cross-cultural skills, and build lasting friendships.The YES program has profoundly… Read More
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