FLEX Global program

YES Bahrain Students

Overview about FLEX Global

The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Global Program builds on the legacies of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs by expanding participation globally. FLEX Global is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by Amideast.  

The program provides high school students with the opportunity to spend an academic year in the United States, where they live with host families, attend U.S. high schools, engage in community activities, develop leadership skills, and take part in American Excellence enhancement activities focused on business, technology, and entrepreneurship. Participants 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.

For more information, please visit the official FLEX Global website  

Amideast is one of four organizations that administer a component of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Global Program and is responsible for the recruitment and screening of applicants in Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia. Amideast also hosts FLEX Global Abroad participants in Morocco.

General Eligibility Requirements  

Eligibility requirements vary by country. In general, applicants must:

  • Meet the age and grade requirements for their country;
  • Not be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or born in the United States;
  • Be in good academic standing;
  • Meet a minimum English proficiency requirement;
  • Demonstrate flexibility and commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding;
  • Have not previously participated in an academic year or semester student exchange program in the United States;
  • Not be the child of a U.S. Embassy employee or staff member;
  • Not have spent a total of more than 90 days in the U.S. in the last five years;
  • Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa).  

Notice on Secondary School Completion:

Applicants who have completed or graduated from any secondary school before the start of the 2027-28 program year are not eligible for FLEX Global. This applies to all program countries.

For students with disabilities:  

The program supports students with disabilities and encourages their participation. Students with disabilities must also meet the above eligibility requirements.

Country Specific Eligibility Requirements, Application and Contact Information

  • Must be a Bahraini national:
    • Public Schools: applicants must be currently enrolled in grade 10.
    • Private Schools: applicants must be currently enrolled in grades 9 or 10.  
  • Must be born between January 1, 2010 and August 15, 2012
    • Should not be over 17 years old during the academic year of 2026-2027
  • Should demonstrate a high level of academic achievement: Minimum grade of "B" in all subjects for the past year; overall "B" average for the past three years.

For any questions, please contact the Amideast office at:

Link to application: https://tinyurl.com/FLEXBH2026 
Timeline: Applications will start approximately October 25 and the deadline will be November 30.   

  • Must be a resident and citizen of Jordan;
  • Must be between the ages of 15 to 18.5 by the start of program (August 15, 2027);
  • Must be born between March 15, 2009-August 15, 2012;
  • Must be enrolled in a secondary school (Grade 9 or Grade 10) at the time of application;
  • Must have an overall grade of at least "B" (80%) without failing grades and a cumulative grade of "B+" (85%) or better in English for the past three years.

For any questions, please contact the Amideast office at:  

Link to application: https://ais.americancouncils.org/flexglobal   
Timeline: Applications will start approximately October 20, and the deadline will be November 20.

  • Must be a resident and citizen of Morocco.  
  • Must be between the ages of 15 and 17 by the start of program (August 15, 2027) (born between August 15, 2010 and August 15, 2012);
  • Must be enrolled in a secondary school at the time of application and entering 10th or 11th grade in Fall 2026;
  • Must have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades and have a record of high academic achievement.

For any questions, please contact the Amideast office at:

Link to application: https://ais.americancouncils.org/flexglobal 
Timeline: Applications will start approximately October 15, and the deadline will be November 22.

  • Must be a resident and citizen of Tunisia.
    • Must be between the ages of 15-17 by the start of program (August 15, 2027);
    • Must be enrolled in a secondary school at the time of application: First year (10th grade) or second year (11th grade);
  • French System students have to be enrolled in Troisième or Seconde to be eligible to apply to FLEX;
  • Must have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades.

For any questions, please contact the Amideast office at:

Link to application: https://ais.americancouncils.org/flexglobal

Timeline: Applications will start approximately October 20 and the deadline will be November 20.