Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program provides high school students the opportunity to spend an academic year as an exchange student in the United States, attending high school and living with an American host family.
Students are enrolled for a full academic year at various high schools in the United States, attending classes and participating in extracurricular activities with their American classmates. YES students also participate in special enrichment activities, including community service, youth leadership training, and other activities that help them learn more about American culture. In addition, students serve as “cultural ambassadors” in their host communities, sharing their rich and vibrant culture and educating Americans about Pakistan.
The U.S. Department of State collaborates with American Councils for International Education and their partner in-country non-profit organizations to implement the YES Program each year, with participating students coming from 37 different countries at present. In Pakistan, the YES program is implemented in partnership with Society for International Education and iEARN-Pakistan.
Since 2003, the YES Program has provided scholarships to over 1,500 high school students from all over Pakistan.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Be between the ages of 15-17 by the start of the program (August 15, 2025).
Be enrolled in a secondary school in Pakistan and be in 9th or 10th grade or 'O' Levels at the time of application. (Note for O’ Level Students: Only O’ Level 9th grade or O’ Level 10th grade students are eligible to apply. O’ Level 11th graders are not eligible.)
Have a cumulative grade point average of 60% or more. Must have a minimum grade point average of 60% in all major/core subjects (English, Mathematics, Sciences) and no failing grades in the past three years (2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 academic years).
Students with a gap year or a repeated year are ineligible.
Be able to communicate in English.
Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa)
Be a citizen of Pakistan and reside in Pakistan. Dual nationals of any country will NOT be considered for the program.
The student must not have traveled to the United States.
Siblings and children of YES Program alumni are not eligible to participate in the program.
Siblings and children of Society for International Education and iEARN Pakistan project staff are not eligible to participate in the program.
In addition to the above requirements, students who also meet the following criteria are more likely to be shortlisted for the final round of selection:
The applicant can represent and demonstrate Pakistani culture and values at American schools and communities.
The applicant demonstrates maturity, flexibility, adaptability, good character, and scholastic aptitude.
The applicant is willing to participate in the host family’s daily life.
The applicant has a record of all necessary immunizations, as outlined in the YES Program application, before arriving in the United States.
The applicant demonstrates flexibility and a commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding.
The applicant agrees to attend classes as a full-time student and maintain at least a ‘B’ grade average.
The applicant agrees to abide by the 'YES Program Student Rules' as outlined in the YES Program application and all other rules and policies during the program.
Important Note: Providing any false/forged documents or information or any discrepancy found at any stage of the selection process will result in the disqualification of the applicant.
YES Program Pakistan 2024-25 Benefits
- Full coverage of school tuition fees.
- Monthly stipend of $200.
- U.S. visa processing fees covered.
- Boarding and lodging in the USA fully provided.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
STEP-1 Submission of YES Application (Form 1 – 11):
STEP-2 Online Interview:
STEP-3 Proctored Essays, Group Activity and In-person Selection Interview:
STEP-4 English Language Test for International Students (ELTiS):
STEP-5 Final Evaluation:
After downloading and printing the YES application, please check the below video links for each Form instructions on how to fill out the form. Note: USE ONLY BLACK BALLPOINT
Complete Video by YES Alumni Areesha Qadeer:
Documents Required:
Attach the following documents with the filled YES-2025-26 application.
• Photocopies of the last three years mark sheets. Make sure the mark sheets MUST be school attested (stamped and signed by school official).
1. Final mark sheet of academic year 2021-22
2. Final mark sheet of academic year 2022-23
3. Final mark sheet of academic year 2023-24 (if the final exam result hasn’t been announced, attach the last school-based mark sheet)
(Note for Cambridge students: they will have to submit the final mocks results having all the core subjects mentioned in the criteria instead of your Cambridge result.)
• Photocopy of NADRA’s Bay form / Smart card / FRC / Birth Certificate (anyone of them)
Make sure all the photocopies are clear and readable. Blur, dark, or incomplete photocopies will not be considered.
When the YES-2025-26 application is ready. Courier/post the duly filled application with the required documents to the following address.
YES-2025-26 Application
Society for International Education
88-H, P.E.C.H.S. Block-6,
Karachi.
Tel: 0333-2929960
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED THROUGH COURIER/POSTAL SERVICES.
Deadline for Submission:
The deadline for submitting the YES-2025-26 application is October 21, 2024.
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