Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES)
“The YES program isn’t just life-changing; it opens people’s minds and hearts to different things. I owe this program a lot. It gives a person a greater understanding of freedom.”
—YES program student from Kuwait (hosted in Maine)
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program seeks to provide high school students from countries with strategic importance 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 for others, establish leadership skills, and understand civil society. At the same time, YES students help their American classmates enhance their understanding of foreign countries and cultures.
History
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program was enacted by the U.S. Congress under the sponsorship of Senators Edward Kennedy and Richard Lugar to expand exchange opportunities to students from countries of strategic importance around the world. YES students study for an academic year in the United States, attending a U.S. school and living with a U.S. host family. Visit http:// www.yesprograms.org for more information.
YES is administered in partnership with the United States Department of State by a consortium of nonprofit organizations, led by American Councils for International Education and involving numerous placement and recruitment organizations.
Since 2003, YES has provided scholarships to over 16,000 secondary school students from more than 35 countries! Where do these students come from?
Afghanistan* AlbaniaAlgeria*BahrainBangladeshBosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaCameroonEgyptEthiopia*Ghana
India
Indonesia
Iraq*
Israel (Arab Communities)
Jordan
KenyaKosovoKuwaitLebanonLiberiaLibyaMalaysiaMaliMoroccoMozambiqueNigeriaNorth MacedoniaOman*PakistanPhilippines*Qatar*Saudi ArabiaSenegalSierra LeoneSouth AfricaSurinameSyria*TanzaniaThailandTunisiaTürkiyeWest BankYemen*Former YES countryOur YES students are exceptional
Bojana from North Macedonia shares thoughts on her first month in Missouri and on learning every day while participating in the YES Program.
Hosted in Missouri, 2019-20
Ashiru helps to draft legal protections for people with disabilities in Nigeria after growing as a leader on the YES Program.
Hosted in Illinois, 2011-12
Farah from Bangladesh reflects on living her dreams and building relationships with her host family.
Hosted in Virginia, 2019-20
Faith from Nigeria forms connections that last a lifetime—and brought her back to Iowa for college!
Hosted in Iowa, 2012-13
Have questions? Check out our FAQs or let us know!
“This program has changed my life in so many ways: my perspective on people, culture, values, and my understanding of human nature, and my understanding of leadership and the importance of volunteering.”
—YES program student from Liberia (hosted in Illinois)