The Outbound Sponsored Programs team is happy to announce the launch of the YES Abroad Program for the spring 2027 semester! Please join us in spreading the news about this full scholarship program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Participants are scheduled to travel to their host countries in January 2027, returning to the U.S. in May or June 2027. Given the relatively short timeline before the program commences in January 2027, the application period is tight. We are especially appreciative of any efforts you can take to share this opportunity in your communities and networks!
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program is a merit-based fully-funded program for eligible American high school students and recent graduates to live with host families and attend a local high school for an academic semester in countries around the world, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Indonesia, and North Macedonia. Through the YES Abroad program, students develop leadership, language, and professional skills while expanding their worldview and gaining a new, lifelong network of friends and family overseas. Students also share information about their home culture with their hosts and local communities while building lasting relationships, strengthening the linkages between the U.S. and YES countries at the same time.
- The YES Abroad application for the spring 2027 semester is now open!
- Learn more and start an application on our website: yes-abroad.org
- The deadline to apply is September 22.
- Share this digital flyer, brochure, Instagram post, and Facebook post in your communities and with your networks!
- Contact Weimin Chen, AFS YES Abroad Specialist, at YESAbroad@afsusa.org or 646-751-2151 with questions.
We would also like to share a couple of additional reminders:
- CBYX 2027-28: We are currently accepting applications for the 2027-28 (NH27) CBXY program to Germany for American high school students. You can learn more about this opportunity and the application timeline in our MyAFS News post here.
- Hosting: Following a brief pause, the YES Program is returning to the U.S. for the Spring 2027 semester from a hosting perspective, as well, bringing high school students from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kosova, Malaysia, North Macedonia, and Pakistan to communities across the country. The students will arrive in the host communities on January 22, 2027 and will remain until June 14. While we will not receive student applications until mid to late November, we encourage you to actively promote the YES hosting program now! Your personal connections and local outreach can make a meaningful difference in helping families understand the impact of hosting and inspiring them to learn more. Anyone interested in hosting on this special semester version of the YES program should contact hosting@afsusa.org.
