Finding My Voice Through YES: A Journey of Music and Friendship

I’m Mert Özer from Türkiye, a YES alumni from 2024. Participating in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program was the best decision I have ever made. I had never flown before, but now international travel is a big part of my life. I used to have very few friends from other countries, but now I am part of an international network and know hundreds of amazing people from over 25 countries. I never thought I would be able to study at my dream school, Berklee College of Music, but this year I will be attending Berklee as a freshman. This program gave me and many of my friends incredible opportunities we might never have had otherwise, and it is heartbreaking to hear people talk about the possibility of it ending.

Exchange programs are not just opportunities for students to gain unique experiences; they also promote understanding and support between the student’s home country and the host country. They create strong connections among host families, exchange students, and the wider community. I was born totally blind, and during my exchange year in Oakland, New Jersey, I learned from others and also taught them. Beyond sharing my Turkish culture, I was the first totally blind student in my district. Many people in town interacted with a blind person, and an exchange student, for the first time. They now understand that blindness is not a disability—it is a difference. People with disabilities can make a meaningful impact and achieve great things when given the chance.

Hosting exchange students is a major part of American culture, making the USA one of the best countries to study as an international student. I experienced a welcoming environment free of judgment and racism, and as a blind student, I noticed how much more accessible and inclusive the class materials were. Even as the first totally blind student at my American high school, I was able to learn independently with the support of my teachers and peers. I felt more included and empowered than ever before.

I am also the winner of The Voice Turkey 2025, and I have shared my exchange experiences on TV. My year in the U.S. has been a major source of confidence and growth, both as a musician and as a person.

Without the YES program, coming from a low-income family, I don’t think I would have been able to live in the U.S. at 16 for ten months. The program helped me become a better planner, a more positive person, and more confident in my dreams. I was fortunate to have an amazing American host mother who supported me and my host siblings in every way. I now have a broader perspective, understanding that people can have very different values and experiences. I have so many friends from the exchange program who are doing incredible things, and I will continue to cheer them on with pride.

We have been truly fortunate to have these life-changing opportunities. I hope that thousands of students from around the world seeking such a unique experience will have the same support and luck we did. Programs like YES make the world a better place, and I hope to see them continue for decades to come.