The U.S. Department of State provides over 1,000 merit-based scholarships each year for U.S. high school students to study abroad for a summer or an academic year in over 25 countries.  These high school exchange programs prepare young Americans to succeed in the 21^st century’s global economy by developing their foreign language skills, increasing their cross-cultural understanding, strengthening their leadership capacity, and fostering new academic insights and ambitions.  The CBYX, NSLI-Y, and YES Abroad programs are accepting applications now, Youth Ambassadors will be open soon.

• Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)

• National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad)
• Youth Ambassadors

These scholarships include international airfare, tuition, and program costs, as well as meals and living accommodations (often with a host family).  Most programs have no language prerequisites, and applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18.  Seniors are welcome to apply and can travel after graduation, as long as they meet the age requirement.

The U.S. Department of State is committed to diversity and inclusion in exchange programs that reflect the diversity of U.S. society.  We seek and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented audiences.  Opportunities are open to people regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.  We are particularly interested in recruiting applicants who might otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in a study abroad experience.

We would greatly appreciate you sharing this information with teachers, students, parents, and others in your networks who may be interested in these opportunities.

You may find this announcement and other outreach materials at https://exchanges.state.gov/highschool/.