Country: USA Category: Exchange Programs

The YES program provides scholarships for high school students (ages 15-17 years) from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States. Students live with host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and educate Americans about their countries and cultures. Approximately 900 students travel to the United States each year.

YES scholarship covers costs related to:

  • round-trip airfare from your home country to the United States;
  • the cost of a Pre-Departure Orientation;
  • placement with a U.S. host family for 10 to 11 months;
  • a modest monthly stipend;
  • health insurance; and
  • the cost of program activities and materials.

Program Length: U.S. Academic Semester or Year

Application Criteria for Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES)


The eligibility requirements vary country by country. Generally, you have to be

  • Be between the ages of 15 - 17 (not a day older than 17) by the start of program (August 1, 2021);
  • Have a date of birth between August 1, 2004 and August 1, 2006;
  • Be currently enrolled in grade 8, 9, 10 or 11 in school or college

For a USA citizen you have to have:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • 15-18.5 years of age at start of program
  • Enrolled in high school (including home school) at the time of application
  • For the following countries, prior French skills are required: Morocco, Senegal
  • The YES Abroad program seeks applicants of all racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.

Eligible Nationalities


Albania, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gaza, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Israel (Arab Communities), Jordan , Kenya, Kosovo , Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, West Bank, Yemen

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