Program Introduction
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for Pakistan 2021, which is executed by a consortium of organizations led by American Councils. The program allows high school students from countries with large Muslim populations to spend an academic year in the United States as an exchange student, attending high school and living with an American host family.
Students attend classes and participate in extracurricular activities alongside their American classmates for a full academic year of high school studies in the United States. Students in the Youth Exchange program also take part in extracurricular activities such as community service, youth leadership training, and other activities that help them learn more about American culture. In addition, students act as “cultural ambassadors” in their host towns, sharing and educating Americans about Pakistan’s rich and colorful culture.
The YES program is administered in Pakistan by the Society for International Education (SIE) in collaboration with the Public Affairs Office of the US Embassy. The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program has awarded scholarships to 1,351 Pakistani high school students since 2003.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- By the start of the program, applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 17. (August 15, 2022).
- At the time of application, applicants must be enrolled in a secondary school.
- Applicants must have a grade point average of at least “B” and no failing grades.
- Applicants must be eligible for a J-1 visa in the United States (U.S. citizens are not eligible for a J-1 visa).
- Applicants must be Pakistani citizens.
- At the time of application, applicants must be enrolled in 9th or 10th grade or ‘O’ Levels at a secondary school in Pakistan. (Please note that only ‘O’ Level 9th grade or ‘O’ Level 10th grade students are allowed to apply.) 11th pupils at the ‘O’ Level are not eligible.)
- Applicants must have received a minimum of 60% in all major/core subjects (English, mathematics, sciences) in the most recent session attended, with no failing grades, and an overall average of 60% for the previous three academic years (2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21).
- Applicants who were promoted in the 2019-20 academic year without completing the yearly examinations owing to COVID-19 will need to receive a subject-by-subject performance document from their school. An authorized school authority must stamp and sign the document. They must also attach any class test mark sheet (transcript) for the 2019-20 school year while filling out the online application. (Note: Prior to their departure to the United States, applicants must receive a minimum of 60% in all subjects on the yearly tests that will be held in 2022.) Students will be asked to provide their most recent examination mark sheets.)
- Students who have taken a gap year or who have repeated a year are not eligible.
- It is necessary for the student to be able to communicate in English. For the past three academic years, applicants must have received a minimum of 60% in English (2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21).
- On August 15, 2022, the student must be at least 15 years old and no older than 17 years old.
- The pupil could not possibly have visited the United States.
Students who meet the following criteria, in addition to the above standards, are more likely to be shortlisted for the final round of selection.
- In American schools and communities, the applicant can reflect and demonstrate Pakistani culture and values.
- Maturity, flexibility, adaptability, good character, and scholastic competence are all demonstrated by the applicant.
- The applicant is willing to engage in the daily activities of the host family.
- Before coming in the United States, the candidate has a record of all required immunizations, as indicated in the Final Student Application.
- The applicant exhibits adaptability and a desire to promote cross-cultural understanding.
- The candidate promises to enroll as a full-time student and maintain a grade point average of at least a ‘B’.
- During the program, the candidate undertakes to follow the ‘YES Student Rules,’ as specified in the YES Final Application, as well as all other rules and procedures.
Application & Selection Process
STEP-1 Online Preliminary Application:
Students can apply for the YES program if they match the selection criteria and sign the YES Program for Pakistan 2021 Parent/Student Agreement and Policies. (These documents can be found at YES Pakistan’s website, www.yespk.org.) Students must complete the Preliminary Application online and provide all required documentation. Students from non-elite and government schools, as well as female students and students with physical disabilities, are particularly encouraged to apply. Students who match the qualifying criteria should fill out the online Preliminary Application with the assistance of participating schools/organizations.
STEP-2 Online Interview:
Short-listed applicants for Pakistan 2021 will be notified for YES 2022-23 online interviews after the initial online Preliminary Application screening. Shortlisted students will be notified by the e-mail address they provided when completing the online Preliminary Application.
STEP-3 Proctored Essays, Group Activity, and In-person Interview:
Students who are selected for the online interview must present in person for proctored writing essays, a group activity, and an in-person interview. The YES Final Application, as well as information on the interview site and date, will be mailed to the applicant via courier at the address specified in the online Preliminary Application. Students must bring and present their completed YES Final Application, as well as any other required documents, to the interview.
STEP-4 ELTiS:
The English language competency exam will be required of students who qualify for Step 3.
STEP-5 Final Evaluation:
Students will be chosen based on their performance in an online interview, a group activity, an in-person interview, a full YES Final Application with all relevant papers, and their ELTiS test score. The YES Program Director will send a letter to the finalists.