What is FLEX Global Program?

FLEX Global is a program that allows high school aged students from select countries to spend an academic year in the United States living with a host family and attending U.S. high school.
FLEX Global builds on the legacies of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, which has operated for almost 25 years. FLEX Global aims to develop a network of young leaders who understand culture, with a focus on entrepreneurship, technology and SI (Super Intelligence), and leadership.

FLEX Global is a highly competitive, merit-based exchange program funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by American Councils for International Education in partnership with AFS-USA, Amideast, and iEARN. The program will provide participants the opportunity to spend an academic year in the United States living with a host family, attending a U.S. high school, engaging in community activities, developing leadership skills, and taking part in the enhancement activities focused on business, technology, entrepreneurship, government, U.S. history, sports, and other sectors, all of which showcase the United States as a global leader in innovation, governance, and economic prosperity. These young leaders will return to their countries with new skills and knowledge, where they will apply what they learned to benefit their home communities and become lasting partners for the United States.

FLEX Global countries for the 2027-28 program include: Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

FLEX Global is now available!

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What are the program criteria?

Participant must hold the Egyptian nationality.
Participant must demonstrate Leadership skills.
Participant and his parents must NOT have applied on any immigration programs to the United States of America.
Participant must be enrolled in grade 9, 10, or 11 in school year 2026/2027.
Participant must be born between 15/8/2010 and 15/8/2012
Participant must maintain grades of 80% or higher in the past year 2024/2025 and 2025/2026

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

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

One of the ways you can help FLEX Global 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 FLEX Global 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.

Where will my child be living?

All FLEX Global 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?

FLEX Global 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. FLEX Global consults with the U.S. Department of State and external risk management organizations to monitor the safety of participants while in the United States.

FLEX GLOBAL