- The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program seeks to provide high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations 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, respect diversity, establish… Read More
- The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students (ages 15-18) to learn less commonly taught languages in overseas immersion programs. NSLI-Y is a program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.Participants experience the dynamic culture and society of their host country, offering them both formal and informal language practice, and sparking a lifetime of interest in foreign… Read More
- September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. During this period, the nation pays tribute to the extraordinary achievements, deep-rooted history, and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. In the same spirit, American Councils honors and celebrates the Latinx alumni who have participated in the diverse array of study abroad programs we administer. In the Institute for International Education's latest report, students identifying as… Read More
- Two decades ago, in the aftermath of 9/11, the United States Congress laid the foundation for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. This visionary initiative was created to foster greater understanding by providing merit-based scholarships for students from predominantly Muslim nations to engage in a transformative academic year within the U.S. While the YES program is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES… 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 with significant Muslim populations to immerse themselves in an American high school, develop cross-cultural skills, and build lasting friendships. The YES… Read More
- Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month from American Councils for International Education! Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month commemorates the culture, traditions, and history of Asian American and Pacific Islander people in the United States. Every May, American Councils takes extra time to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by shining a light on AAPI experiences, perspectives, and contributions to the field of international education… Read More
- American Councils’ Board of Trustees announced that for the annual End-of-Year fundraising campaign they will match dollar for dollar donations received up to $10,000. Our goal is to raise at least $20,000 to support the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Fund that provides financial assistance to students from traditionally underserved segments of the US to study abroad. In her letter announcing the match, Trustee Alicia S. Ritchie wrote of this moment “as an opportunity to reaffirm our… Read More
- The first time he applied for an international exchange program, 17-year-old Carlo Aragon didn’t realize he was starting down a path toward a career in the US Foreign Service. He was in high school, at a meeting of the international club, when he heard about the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). The president of the extracurricular club at the time had just returned from a summer studying Arabic in Egypt and recommended that Carlo apply for the State Department… Read More
- PR: Art has kind have been my biggest passion since I was a toddler. When I found out I got into YES Abroad I was really bummed because I thought it was not going to be a part of my life that was compatible with studying abroad. I would bring a sketchbook and I would doodle, but I wouldn’t be able to do art. I wouldn't have the corner of my room where all my paintings are and stuff like that. I was really bummed about that, but it was a sacrifice that I was willing to make. But when I… Read More
- About 25 years ago, Benazir Bhutto made history when she took oath as the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan. Her story is inspiring for many young women in Pakistan today, including me. That’s why seeing her book on a shelf in Lorne Craner’s office caught my eye. I was meeting with Mr. Craner, the president of American Councils during Civic Education Week, in my capacity as an alumni mentor. Civic Education Week is a unique opportunity for Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study students… Read More
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