Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study Program

What is the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study Program?

The U.S. Department of State established the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program in October 2002 in recognition of the importance of youth exchange as a key component to build bridges between citizens of the U.S. and countries around the world. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to attend high school in the U.S., live with an American host family, and serve as “youth ambassadors” for their home countries.

The YES program officially launched in Malaysia in 2004 to expand communication between the people of United States and Malaysia to promote mutual understanding and respect. Since then, more than 550 Malaysian students have participated in the YES program and are now members of the YES and U.S. Embassy Alumni communities. Malaysian YES students spend one academic semester in the U.S. from January – June 2022.

The U.S. State Department’s YES program is administered in partnership with a consortium of non-profit organizations. In Malaysia, AFS Malaysia manages YES in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur.

Please be informed this YES Program is open for Form 3 and Form 5 in 2021 or other equivalent grade students only.

Program Details

Program Name: YES Program
Cost: Full Scholarship
Program Date: January – June 2022
Placement: Hosted by host family in the U.S.
Duration: 1 Semester
Application deadline: 30 April 2021

In keeping with the U.S. Government-sponsored initiatives dedicated to democratic reform, the competition for the Youth Exchange and Study scholarship is merit-based and open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements:

Be enrolled in Form 3 or Form 5 / other equivalent grade at the time of application. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply and contact AFS Malaysia office for information on eligibility.
Applicant’s date of birth must be between January 15, 2004 and January 15, 2007.
Have the equivalent of a B average or better and no failing grades.
Be a citizen of Malaysia.
Demonstrated leadership, community involvement in extracurricular activities.

Note:

YES seeks to ensure diverse participation in the program, representing all of Malaysian society.

TOP 10 REASONS TO SAY “YES”!

Say "YES"!

Get out of your comfort zone and explore the world.
Become a member of an American family; create lifelong friendships.
Discover the real you by seeing how others view you.
Build your cultural awareness; broaden your perspectives on global issues.
Be a youth ambassador for Malaysia.
Experience an international education at a U.S. high school.
Develop leadership and community service skills you can bring back to Malaysia.
Improve your English language proficiency.
Develop skills to stand out in the competitive modern job market.
Join 10,000 plus YES alumni from more than 40 countries around the globe.

Studying abroad in high school is an exciting journey for both you and your child. We have compiled the information below to help answer some of the questions you may have about the YES program experience. For further information, please e-mail the YES office in your country.

Who will support my child’s well being while abroad?

YES participants are placed in volunteer host family homes and into host schools in the United States by established and reputable placement organizations that have competitively been awarded grants by the U.S. Department of State to implement the placement portion of the YES program. While on the program, your child will have regular contact with a trained coordinator in his or her community who will provide support, assistance, and guidance, and who will be in regular contact with the placement organization’s national headquarters.

As the consortium lead on the grant for YES operations, also competitively awarded by the U.S. Department of State, American Councils has a national office in Washington, DC, which cooperates with all placement organizations nationwide and with all overseas recruiting offices. Each country participating in the YES program has an in-country office with at least one permanent employee in each YES country. These staff, who are the main contacts for the parents of YES students, in turn communicate with all organizations placing YES students in host communities.

As a parent, how can I help promote the well-being of my child?

One of the ways you can help YES plan for your child’s successful participation in the program is by providing all relevant information regarding your child’s personal health and family history on the requested application forms. This information will not be evaluated as part of the selection process, but is considered when making host community assignments. Relevant information includes, but is not limited to, a diagnosis of or treatment for an illness, a physical disability, a learning disability, a behavioral or emotional disorder, a dietary restriction, or drastic changes in weight. Recent traumatic experiences or significant changes in the student’s natural family, including serious illness, death, divorce, incarceration, or custodial changes, can also influence a student’s experience. Living and studying abroad can be a stressful and challenging experience for people of any age. These stresses can be compounded by any existing physical or mental health issues or concerns at home that arise prior to the start of the program. In order to help YES organizations and their staff to make appropriate decisions about your child’s experience, please inform us of relevant situations as quickly as possible throughout the application process and program.

What is the involvement of the U.S. Department of State?

Where will my child be living?

All YES students live with host families who have been carefully screened and selected. Host families receive formal orientation and training to introduce them to cultural differences and to prepare them for the hosting experience. Local coordinators provide support to participants and host families throughout the program. Students attend a school in their community alongside American peers.

What happens in the case of an emergency?

YES implementing organizations are prepared to respond to emergencies in the United States. Each organization provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency and facilitates appropriate medical treatment, including evacuation, if necessary. YES consults with the U.S. Department of State and external risk management organizations to monitor the safety of participants while in the United States.

Will my child have medical coverage while abroad?

What costs are covered?

What costs are not covered by the scholarship?

How will YES help my child prepare to go abroad?

YES provides a wide variety of support mechanisms for students preparing to go abroad. Preparation for the YES experience begins shortly after the finalists are selected, with weekly follow up by each YES program country office. Additionally, all YES finalists are required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation where they cover relevant topics that they will face during the program year. At the Pre-Departure Orientation, they are given a student workbook and handbook, which is theirs to keep and contains the material covered in the Pre-Departure Orientation. Lastly, upon arrival to the United States, YES students attend an orientation in Washington, D.C. with YES students from other countries, where critical information is reviewed before the students depart for their host communities.

Application Selection

There are multiple rounds to the YES application and selection process. All applicants are required to take an English proficiency exam, write a proctored essay, complete a YES program application, and participate in group and individual in-person interviews. All finalists are selected on the basis of merit.

YES Alumni In Action

Keshin and her groupmates discussing about what makes a good story.

Changemakers Social Entrepreneurship Workshop

“I came up with a project to raise awareness by using creative technologies among young Malaysians about the importance of 3R to reduce pollution and the cost of waste management in Malaysia. “

Returnee Spotlight On: Jim Chua

“I see myself in many of the students I meet, I see the importance of the program; not just for the students but to volunteers and staff of AFS as a whole.”

My Global Youth Service Day By Hikmat Zakaria

“This is only the beginning and I hope to make a change and give more impact towards the community.”