11 April 2008
U.S. Sponsors Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX)
Two U.S. government programs bring foreign students to the United States
After the Soviet Union broke up into a lot of independent states, the U.S. government decided it would be a good idea if some secondary school students from those countries came to the United States to study. And so was born the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, which has hosted more than 15,000 students since the early 1990s.
The idea is to find some really bright young people and bring them to the United States to get a fresh take on life, society, and their future. FLEX is also trying to show young people from other countries how average U.S. citizens get involved in civic activities, act to solve social problems, and work to make their communities better places to live.
When students leave the United States and return home, it's hoped the experience will inspire them to step forward to make things better in their own hometowns.
Countries participating in the FLEX program include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.
Further information and directions on the FLEX application process are available at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/eurasia/flex/gallery.htm.
The Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is a similar program established in October of 2002 with a vision to build mutual understanding between Americans and people from countries with significant Muslim populations. Secondary school students spend up to one academic year in the United States; they live with host families, attend school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures. Upon their return, the students apply their leadership skills at home in service projects.
Growing steadily each year toward a goal of 1,000 students in the 2009-2010 school year, young people in the YES program now come from more than 30 countries from West Africa to Southeast Asia.
Further information about the YES Program is available at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/programs/yes.htm.
