The U.S. Department of State invites applications for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program in the USA for the 2023/24 academic year.
High school students from countries with significant Muslim populations live and study for an academic year in the United States through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. YES students serve as “youth ambassadors” of their home country, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities.
Worth of Award
- Participants live with a host family, attend an American high school, acquire leadership skills, and engage in activities to learn about U.S. society and values; they also help educate Americans about their home country and culture.
- The program can support students with disabilities and encourage their participation. The Department of State and the YES program work with Mobility International (MIUSA) to provide students with disabilities leadership-building workshops, appropriate information, and support as needed to enhance their year in America.
Eligibility
The scholarship is merit-based and open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements:
- Be between the ages of 15-18.5 by the start of program (August 15, 2022);
- Must be enrolled in a secondary school in Kano or Katsina states;
- Must have completed SS1 class by August 2021;
- Have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades;
- Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa);
- Be a citizen of Nigeria.
How to Apply
For the 2023-2024 program year, the pre-selection exam will take place in November and they will be recruiting finalists and alternates in Gombe, Katsina, Kebbi, and Taraba states.
Deadline: Students who are interested in taking the pre-selection exam and who meet the eligibility requirements listed above should email IRIS Country Director, Dr. Saidu Yakubu at [email protected] for specific dates and testing sites.