Questions? Email YES Abroad at yesabroad@afsusa.org or call (800) 237-4636 x2151.
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is offering American high school students and recent graduates full scholarships to study for one academic year in countries with significant Muslim populations.
For the 2018-2019 academic year, YES Abroad students live in the following countries:
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Ghana | India | Indonesia | Jordan | Macedonia l Malaysia | Morocco | Philippines l Senegal | Thailand
The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to amend this list at any time.
The YES Abroad program was initiated as a reciprocal extension of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program for international students from countries with significant Muslim populations. The first group of Americans participated in YES Abroad in the 2009-2010 academic year, living and studying in ten select YES countries. The program now offers 65 full scholarships to American students nationwide.
Living with a host family and attending a local school, YES Abroad students promote mutual understanding between the United States and the host country by forming lasting relationships with the local community.
Participants live with a host family, attend a local high school, acquire leadership skills, and engage in activities to learn about the host country’s society and values; they also help educate others about American society and values. For specific details, click on any of the participating countries in the list above.
The YES Abroad scholarship covers costs related to: round-trip airfare and room and board for the Pre-Departure Orientation; round-trip airfare between the participant’s home region and community abroad; in-country support; cultural activities; school tuition (where applicable); room and board with a host family; secondary medical benefits; visa fees; and a modest stipend.
The YES Abroad program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is administered by a consortium of organizations led by American Councils for International Education in partnership with AFS-USA, Inc., the American-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST), and the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN).
Learn more about how to apply for the YES Abroad program