Lebanon Programs & Services

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			More Information About AMIDEAST Lebanon Programs & Services Course Schedules Staff Contact Information Country Information YES Alumni Newsletter

Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES)

Youth Exchange and Study (YES), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships for high school students (14-16 years) from Lebanon to spend one academic year in the United States. The program is vital to expanding communication between the peoples of the United States and the partner countries in the interest of promoting mutual understanding and respect. Students live with host families, attend high school, 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 a total of 1,990 students have participated in the YES program. During this academic year 2008-09, over 750 students joined the program from: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gaza, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, West Bank, and Yemen.

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

In Lebanon, 190 students from all regions of Lebanon have already participated since 2003. Read what they have to say about their experience!

• Meet our YES students

As a YES student, you will have a unique opportunity to:

• Live with an American family
• Studyat a U.S. high school
• Participate in a youth leadership training program
• Experience U.S. culture and society first hand
• Improve your English
• Make new friends
• Help Americans learn about your country

YES scholarships cover all major expenses, including airfare, room and board, health insurance, pocket money, and educational supplies.

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, 1992 and August 1, 1994
• Demonstrate maturity, good character, scholastic aptitude, flexibility and adaptability
• Have a minimum grade of "C"  or 10/20 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 American host family daily life
• Not have previously attended high school for a semester or academic year in the United States

How to apply

• Fill out the YES application completely. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
• Provide an official school grades for the last three years (preferably in English).
• Provide a current photo
• Applicant can mail the application, deliver it to AMIDEASTs office, or send it through the school.

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.

AMIDEAST is helping to administer the YES program as part of a consortium that is headed by AYUSA International (www.ayusa.org)and also includes ASSE International (www.asse.com), iEARN (www.iearn.org), Aspect Foundation (www.aspectfoundation.org), CIEE (www.ciee.org), Pacific Intercultural Exchange (www.pieusa.org), and CCI ( www.cci-exchange.com).