Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program
Building and Sustaining Mutual Understanding Through People-to-People Connections
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program provides scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States. This program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is administered by American Councils for International Education, iEARN-USA, and other implementing partners.
Established by Congress in October 2002 in response to the events of September 11, 2001, YES program students live with American host families, attend local high schools, engage in activities to learn about American Society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures. The program increases mutual understanding between the U.S. and participating countries, cultivating people-to-people ties among current and future global leaders.
iEARN-USA is currently responsible for recruiting approximately 140 students from the following countries:
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Israel (Arab Communities)
- Liberia
- Pakistan
- Sierra Leone
- Suriname
iEARN-USA and our global implementing partners are also responsible for managing alumni programming for returned YES students.
Host a YES Student
Do you wonder how you can improve your family, community, or the world? One way is by sharing your home and heart with a Kennedy-Lugar YES student. What begins as an exchange of customs and culture extends throughout a high school and community to touch thousands of lives. Hosting an international exchange student benefits everyone involved. Your entire family will learn about a new country and culture without leaving home. Host families and exchange students share daily life, meals, and holidays. They discuss current events in their respective communities and explore cross-cultural perceptions and values.
Volunteering as a host family is an amazing opportunity for you and your family to participate as citizen diplomats, shaping positive relationships between the U.S. and participating countries. Say “YES” and bring more understanding into the world, beginning with your own family and community! Please fill out our Host Family Interest Form!
YES Impact
iEARN-USA manages the website and social media presence for the YES and YES Abroad programs. These initiatives are crucial for highlighting and sharing the profound impact these programs have on participants, host families, and home communities. Learn more about the impact of the YES program by reading stories written by students, alumni, and host families.
YES Abroad for U.S. Students
The YES Abroad program was initiated as a reciprocal extension of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program. The program provides scholarships for American students to spend an academic year living with a host family and attending high school.
The YES Abroad scholarship covers costs related to round-trip airfare between the participant’s region and community abroad; in-country support; cultural activities; school tuition (where applicable); room and board with a host family; secondary medical benefits; visa fees; and a modest stipend. This is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by American Councils for International Education, iEARN-USA, and other implementing partners.