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 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, 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 3,480 students have participated in the YES program. During the coming academic year 2009-10, 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.

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.

In Lebanon, 182 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
• Study at 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, 1993 and August 1, 1995
• Demonstrate maturity, good character, scholastic aptitude, flexibility and adaptability
• Have a minimum grade of "C"  or 10/20 in all subjects for the last three years
• Have strong English language ability: minimum "B" average or 12/20 in English for the last 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 official school grades for the last three years (preferably in English).
• Provide a current photo
• Applicants can mail the application, deliver it in person to AMIDEAST’s 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 administers the YES program as part of a consortium headed by AYUSA International and includes ASSE International, Center for Cultural Exchange (CCI), International Student Exchange (ISE), iEARN, Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE), and Youth for Understanding USA (YFU).