About Us
Through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, U.S. high school students and recent graduates ages 15-18.5 live and study in countries of strategic importance for a fully-funded academic year. For 2025, YES Abroad students were placed in:
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | India | Indonesia | Jordan | Malaysia | Morocco | North Macedonia l Senegal | Thailand | Türkiye
The YES Abroad program was initiated as a reciprocal extension of the State Department’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program, which brings competitively selected high school students from countries around the world to spend an academic year in the United States. The first group of Americans participated in YES Abroad in 2009-2010. The program has grown to include 65 funded slots for young American citizens nationwide.
YES Abroad students live with a host family and attend a local school. Through this immersive experience, students share information about American culture and beliefs while learning about their host country, and form meaningful relationships with their host families and communities, strengthening the linkages between the U.S. and YES countries at the same time. Participants take part in the life of their host communities and in so doing hone their leadership and communication skills. For specific details, click on any of the participating countries in the list above.
The YES Abroad program covers costs related to roundtrip airfare and room and board for the pre-departure orientation; roundtrip airfare between the participant’s home and host communities; 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.
YES Abroad is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It 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 .
Questions? Email YES Abroad at [email protected] or call 1-800-380-6552.
