Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program is to provide scholarships for high school students (15-17 years of age) from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. The program is vital to build bridges of understanding and expand communication between the people of the United States and the partner countries in the greater interest of promoting mutual respect.
YES is a program that was established in October 2002 and launched in April 2003. YES is an innovative high school exchange program supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The program is implemented by a consortium of organizations lead by AYUSA. This program is participated by Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Dares Salam, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gaza, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel (Arab Community), Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, West Bank and Yemen.
Scholarship recipients live with host families, attend U.S. high schools and participate in special enrichment activities that include community service, youth leadership training, civics education program and other activities that help them develop a comprehensive understanding of American culture and develop leadership skills. Likewise, these students serve as cultural ambassadors for their countries, representing their own rich and vibrant heritage to their American host communities.
Goals of the YES Program
Goal of the YES program is to engage participating youth, their teachers and classmates and community leaders in an exchange effort that promotes increased understanding and tolerance between cultures. The YES program encourages exchange of ideas, values, and experiences among young people by exposing these young scholars to leadership belief systems, civil society principles, and community service involvement,
expand communication between the people of the United States and partner countries in the interest of promoting mutual understanding and respect is the core principle of the program.
Promote international security and peace by educating American and foreign participants about each other.
YES students acquire an understanding of American values and attain the qualities of leadership.
The scholars learn about the concepts of civic responsibility and volunteerism, the idea that citizens can and do deal with societal problems and an awareness of and respect for the rule of law.
After completion of the program and on return they joined a forum called YES Alumni where they shared what they have learned and to make a difference in their home communities by initiating activities that build on acquired skills and experience.
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