Youth Programs Division

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The Youth Programs Division is committed to empowering the successor generation and establishing long-lasting ties between the United States and other countries through exchange programs and institutional partnerships. Programs focus primarily on secondary schools and promote mutual understanding, leadership development, educational transformation, and democratic ideals.

Latest News and Highlights

	YES Alumna Guest Blogs for the New York Times Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) alumna Sher Bano guest blogs for New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof's "On the Ground" blog. Read the blog »
	The Exchange Experience Changed My Life Forever Imane Karroumi writes about her transformative experience on the Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). "After my own experience, I now believe that exchange students can help change some of the assumptions and preconceived ideas in their societies because people are more likely to accept the change from within their society rather than from the outside." Read More »
	A-SMYLE Student Milena Milosavljevic Meets with Serbia President Boris Tadic A-SMYLE student Milena Milosavljevic had the opportunity to meet Serbia President Boris Tadic during his visit to Cleveland, Ohio on September 21. Read More »
	Russia NSLI-Y Participants Visit the Church of Many Religions in Kazan, Tatarstan Eight American high school students on the NSLI-Y program complemented their Russian language studies at Tatar State University of Humanities and Pedagogies with cultural awareness by visiting the Church of Many Religions in Kazan, Tatarstan. These students were among the first of 95 who are overseas for the fall semester and the academic year learning critical languages. Read More »
	Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho Discusses the Middle East with Youth LEAD Students from Idaho Thirteen Idaho high school students participating in the Youth LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Activism, Democratization) program, met with Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho on August 10, 2009. Read More »
	Ambassador McEldowney Welcomes First YES Students from Bulgaria In July, Ambassador McEldowney met with and welcomed seven Bulgarian high school students who will participate in the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. Read More »
	YES Students from Bosnia and Herzegovina Meet with Ambassador English The first group of 15 Youth Exchange and Study (YES) students from Bosnia and Herzegovina met each other at their pre-departure orientation on June 30-July 3 in Sarajevo. The finalists, who arrive in the U.S. in August, attended an intensive orientation where they received useful information regarding their academic year in the United States. Read More »
	First Ever A-SMYLE Alumni Conference Teaches Practical Skills In May, 49 A-SMYLE (American Serbia & Montenegro Youth Leadership Exchange) program alumni from Montenegro and Serbia gathered in Brzece, Serbia, to reconnect with each other, share their alumni projects, and learn practical skills for future projects. The conference included sessions on successful project management and how alumni can use their leadership skills to benefit their local community. Read More »
	Students from Bosnia and Herzegovina Present Debate to the Oregon Supreme Court The Oregon Supreme Court offered 18 Youth Leadership Program students from Bosnia and Herzegovina a great opportunity to meet with them not once, but twice. The students first met with Chief Justice Paul De Muniz and Chief Judge David V. Brewer to discuss the role of courts in the American democratic system. Read More »
	Taking Arabic Learning to the Moroccan Desert NSLI-Y participants took their language learning on the road to Zagora, a small town in the Draa Valley. Twenty American students participated in the six week intensive Arabic language program in Morocco. Read More »
	A-SMYLE Alumni Organize Successful Environmental Activity Attended by Ambassador Munter In March, A-SMYLE alumni in Serbia were joined by U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter and the Mayor of Subotica, Sasa Vucinic, as they cleaned up a park in Subotica, Serbia to promote environmental awareness. Read More »