Kennedy_Lugar YES

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program was established in October, 2002. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) to provide scholarships for high school students (15-17 years) from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. Students live with host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures. In 2007, YES Abroad was established to provide a similar experience for U.S. students (15-19 years) in selected YES countries.

In Egypt, YES program is administered by AFS Egypt through AFS USA. The first batch, was in 2003-2004. Candidates go through a rigorous selection process to qualify for the scholarship. Once selected, they go through orientations and preparation process over 11 months to be ready to set off their new wonderful experience. These orientation camps introduce the participants to a new world of commitment and responsibility and how to be a proud ambassador for our country, EGYPT and share our culture. Volunteers donate their time and effort to make sure the participants are well equipped to learn as much as possible from the experience. Alumni of the YES program are now leading these orientations and are continuously adding from their experiences.

For the ninth consecutive year, The kennedy-Lugar Youth exchange and Study (YES) program keeps on growing bigger and bigger. lots of stories to be shared.

"My year abroad has felt like the true beginning of my life. for the first time, i have lived the consequences of making entierly inpdependent decisions. it was an amazing adventure.."
Mariam Noaman
08 - 09

"the yes program is not just a year abroad, it is a life time experience"

Ahmed Refky
04 - 05

"such an experience as a life time experience and beyond but can never be compared to anything in life"

Abdallah El Kabbany
08 - 09

"It is very difficult to describe my experience with YES in few words, but all I could say is that I discovered so many things about myself. Also it made me more open to try new stuff. I had fun"

Hossam Sultan
07 - 08

"My experience was amazing as I got the opportunity to know different culture and make new friends and meet different people from all around the world"
Loay El Assal
09 - 10

"No words can descirbe my wonderful experience. It totally changed
my life"
Shehab Eldin Mostafa
09 - 10

"Before I went on my year abroad I felt that I was going to have a year-long inspiring adventure. Although my year was magnificent, it was merely a stepping stone towards a life-long adventure where I got to discover my personality as a world citizen"
Mariam Makhlouf
06 - 07