2005 press releases

U.S. Ambassador Hosts Lebanese Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship Winners and Their Families

July 13, 2005

U.S. Ambassador Jeffery Feltman hosted 41 Lebanese Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship winners and their parents at an American-style barbeque at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar on July 13, 2005. The Ambassador also welcomed 22 Lebanese YES students who returned to Lebanon, June 19, 2005, after spending a year living with American families and attending high school in the U.S. Present also were their parents and the nine Lebanese students who spent the 2003-04 academic year in the U.S. and their parents. YES students come from public schools throughout Lebanon and are chosen through a merit-based competition. Ambassador Feltman lauded the students as “the finest Lebanese Ambassadors to the United States.”

This year’s 41 YES students will travel to the U.S. in August to participate in orientation activities and then continue on to join the families who will host them for the year. In addition to their high school studies, YES students participate in special activities focused on community service, youth leadership and civic participation. YES students learn about American culture and institutions through interaction with diverse groups of Americans. Similarly, Lebanon’s YES students will help Americans understand more about Lebanon’s rich and diverse history and culture.

The U.S. Government funds the YES program through the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Partnerships for Learning initiative. The program is administered by AMIDEAST. Competition for the 2006-07 academic year program will begin in October 2005. Applications will be available on the website.