Cultural Exchange Programs
Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarships
Deadline: November 04, 2009 at 4:00PM
YES program scholarships, funded by the U.S. Department of State, give secondary school students in many Arab and Islamic countries an opportunity to study at American high schools and live with American host families for one academic year. The program seeks to improve cooperation and mutual understanding between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa in several ways. Students will be enrolled in a full academic year of high school study in the U.S., attending classes, labs and extracurricular programs with their American classmates. YES students will also participate in special enrichment activities, including community service, youth leadership training, a civics education program, and other activities that will develop a well-rounded understanding of American culture through interaction with diverse groups of Americans. Likewise, participating students will serve as cultural ambassadors to their American host communities, becoming invaluable resources for Americans whose contact with YES students will provide them with an opportunity to learn about the rich and vibrant cultures of the Middle East and North Africa.