The U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is an innovative high school student exchange program funded by that builds bridges and deepens trust between Americans and people from countries of strategic important 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.
