AMIDEAST is one of five organizations that administer a component of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. This U.S. Department of State-funded scholarship program provides secondary school students in 40 countries spanning throughout the Middle East, Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and South America, the opportunity to live and study in the United States for a full academic year. Libya has recently been added to the country roster for the 2013-2014 academic year, and qualified students will be recruited by AMIDEAST as well.

Scholarship recipients live with host families, attend U.S. high schools, and participate in special enrichment activities that include community service, youth leadership training, a civics education program, and other workshops that help them develop a comprehensive understanding of American culture and acquire leadership skills. Likewise, these students serve as cultural ambassadors for their home countries, representing their own rich heritage in their American host communities.

AMIDEAST has joined a consortium of reputable organizations to help administer the Kennedy-Lugar YES program. Headed by American Councils (www.americancouncils.org), this consortium also includes AFS Intercultural Programs (www.afs.org), iEARN (www.iearn.org), and Iowa Resource for International Service (www.iris-center.org).

AMIDEAST manages the application and screening process for the Kennedy-Lugar YES program. Please select the country below for more information. 

Bahrain Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Morocco Oman Qatar Tunisia West Bank/Gaza Yemen

Kennedy-Lugar YES alumni continue to be active long after their exchange experience. For alumni chapter updates, please see the latest edition of our YES Alumni Newsletter.