Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program in Lebanon - Deadline December 2, 2011

Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships for Lebanese high school students (14-16 years old) to spend one academic year in the United States. The program is vital to expanding communication between the peoples of the United States and Lebanon to promote mutual understanding and respect. Students live with host families, attend high school, and engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about Lebanese culture.

The program supports students with disabilities and encourages their participation.

From 2003 to the present thousands of students have participated in the YES program. During the coming academic year 2011-12, approximately 882 students will join the program from: Afghanistan, Albania, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Egypt, Gaza, Ghana, Kosovo, India, Indonesia, Israel (Arab Community), Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, West Bank, and Yemen.

In Lebanon, 249 students from all regions have already participated since 2003.

Upon their return the students will apply their leadership skills in their home countries. In fact, alumni groups have formed and are involved with many community service activities including clothing drives, mentoring younger children and teaching English, immunization drives, and much more.

To be eligible to participate in the YES program, students must:

• Be currently enrolled in the Brevet or 1st secondary class of the Lebanese baccalaureate program or in the 9th or 10th grade of the high school program
• Have a birth date between September 1, 1995 and August 1, 1997
• Demonstrate maturity, good character, scholastic aptitude, flexibility and adaptability
• Have a minimum grade of "B" or 12/20 in all subjects for the past three years
• Have strong English language ability: Minimum "B" average or 12/20 in English for the past three years
• Agree to attend classes in the U.S. as full-time students and maintain at least a "C" average in a U.S. high school
• Demonstrate willingness to participate in the American host family’s daily life
• Not have previously attended high school for a semester or academic year in the United States

How to apply:

• Fill out the Kennedy-Lugar YES application (PDF 287K) completely. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
• Provide official school grades for the last three years (preferably in English).
• Provide a current passport-sized photo.  
• Provide a copy of Lebanese or residency ID

Applicants can submit the application online to lebanon@amideast.org, deliver it in person to   AMIDEAST, send it through the school, or mail the application to the following address:

Kennedy-Lugar YES Program
AMIDEAST
PO BOX 11-2190
Beirut 1107 2100

**Applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, December 2, 2011**

Selected students will sit for an English test. Final selection will be based on the application, test and interviews conducted by a local review panel.

YES Program Officer at AMIDEAST: Dana Saleh
Street Address: Bazerkan Building (Next to the Parliament), Nijmeh Square, Beirut Central District, Beirut
Mailing Address: PO Box 11-2190 Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2100
Phone: 961-1-989901 ext 163
E-mail: lebanon@amideast.org
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday: 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

AMIDEAST administers the Kennedy-Lugar YES program as part of a consortium headed by American Councils and includes AFS Intercultural Programs, iEARN, and Iowa Resource for International Service.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.amideast.org/lebanon/academic-and-cultural-exchange/kennedy-lugar-youth-exchange-and-study-program-lebanon