YES Abroad Program

American high school students study and live overseas in select YES countries for an academic semester.

Sponsored by the US Department of State, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program provides a merit-based opportunity for eligible American high school students to study and live overseas in select YES countries for an academic semester. The YES Abroad program was initiated in 2009 as a reciprocal extension of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for international students.

YES Abroad students live with a host family and attend a local school. Through this immersive experience, students share information about American culture and beliefs while learning about their host country, and form meaningful relationships with their host families and communities, strengthening the linkages between the U.S. and YES countries at the same time. Participants take part in the life of their host communities and in so doing hone their leadership and communication skills.