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Alumni Association Workshop

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In September, 24 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad alumni flew in from across the United States for an intensive weekend workshop in Washington, D.C.  The alumni were awarded travel funds in a competitive process to participate in the workshop, which focused on alumni association and professional development, and provided the opportunity for alumni from the four years of the program to meet and collaborate.

During the workshop, alumni reflected on their experiences, the uniqueness of the YES Abroad program, and their goals for a sustainable association. The group then devised a mission, vision, and purpose for the association and divided into five working groups:

    •    Connections
    •    Professional Development
    •    Service
    •    Alumni Support
    •    Program Outreach

The event also provided opportunities for professional development as well as the ability for alumni to network not only with one another, but also with alumni of other programs, such as the Peace Corps, Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), the NSEP Boren Scholarship, and Fulbright. The weekend closed with a discussion of how to best increase the role of all YES Abroad alumni within the association to accomplish the goals set during the workshop. 

All YES Abroad alumni are invited to participate in the association!  If you are an alumnus, please [email protected] for the registration form.