YES – Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study

NOTICE: AFS-USA partners with the U.S. Department of State on the FLEX, YES, YES Abroad, CBYX and NSLIY Programs. We are reviewing this website to ensure compliance with recent executive orders and other guidance.

YES, USA Flag and DoS Logos
The U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study  (YES) Program is an innovative high school student exchange program that builds bridges and deepens trust between Americans and people from countries of strategic importance to the United States. YES students live with volunteer American host families and attend local schools. The YES program is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is implemented by partner organizations, including AFS.

The program recruits students from the following countries:

YES students reflect a wide range of cultural, socioeconomic, and religious affiliations within their countries, including people with disabilities. YES participants are selected through an open, merit-based selection process in each country.

For more details about YES, including impact stories from on-program students and alumni, visit the official YES website.

Scholarships are also available for U.S. high school students to go abroad through the YES Abroad program.

YES is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Interested in hosting a YES student? Fill out a short interest form to get started!

Become a Host