My background

My name is Deborah Ifeoluwa Fashida and I am 17 years old. I am originally from Ondo state in Nigeria but have lived my whole life in Bauchi, Nigeria. I am currently a gap year student. From August 2022 until June 2023, I had the opportunity to spend a full academic year in the United States as an exchange student, with the help of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. 

High school students from countries with significant Muslim populations (like Nigeria) live and study for an academic year in the United States through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. YES students serve as “youth ambassadors” of their home country, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities. Participants live with a host family, attend an American high school, acquire leadership skills, and engage in activities to learn about U.S. society and values; they also help educate Americans about their home country and culture.

My Time in the United States

To apply as a Nigerian, you must:

• Be between the ages of 15-17 by the start of the program;

• Be enrolled in a secondary school in select states in Northern Nigeria

• Have completed JS3 class (9th Grade);

• Have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades;

• Not have spent a total of more than 90 days in the U.S. in the last five years;

• Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for a J-1 visa);

• Be a resident and citizen of Nigeria.

There are multiple rounds to the YES selection process, the first of which is a pre-selection exam. The pre-selection exam, a Math and English test, serves as a screening tool as only candidates who score well on the test are invited to fill out the official YES application. I took this exam in November 2021. 

All YES finalists complete a YES program application, take an English proficiency exam, write a proctored essay, and participate in a group activity and individual in-person interviews. Your transcripts are also considered, alongside a medical/health history form.

Fun fact: I was not originally planning to apply for the YES program, but my teacher encouraged me to take the pre-selection exam. To my surprise, I scored well on the exam and was invited to move forward with the full application.

Costs

The YES scholarship covers costs related to:

• Round-trip airfare from your home country to the United States;

• The cost of a Pre-Departure Orientation;

• Placement with a U.S. host family for 10 to 11 months;

• A modest monthly stipend (mine was $200 monthly);

• Health insurance; and

• The cost of program activities and materials.

However, I had to cover the costs of obtaining an international passport. Although, the flight costs to the American embassy in Abuja were covered by the program.

My Time in the United States

Eighteen exchange students from Nigeria, including me, were selected. When we arrived at the Washington, D.C., airport, some students' host families came to pick them up, while others had to take another flight to their host state. My host family in Virginia was able to come pick me up directly. I was placed with a host family in Rockbridge County, Virginia, for my 10-month exchange program.

Adjusting to life in the U.S. had its challenges, particularly with the food and the accents. I found it difficult to eat the lasagna my host family served on the first night of my stay, and I had to work on changing the pronunciation of certain words to be better understood. However, my host family was very supportive, and I quickly grew to love them as my own.

At my American high school, I took a diverse course load, including math, English, history, AP computer science, electronics and robotics, and aerospace technology for my junior year. I was also able to participate in sports like cross country and indoor track, where I found success as a sprinter and long jumper—actually emerging as the district champion in the 55-meter race. Outside of the classroom, I joined a cybersecurity club and completed a 3-month internship at the Virginia Military Institute, where I worked on the front-end development of a smart grid test bed.

One of the highlights of my exchange year was the opportunity to travel to North Carolina with students from other exchange programs (FLEX, CBYX, & more). We visited museums and went to the beach, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Community Service and Civic Engagement

Community service was a significant part of my experience. During my time in the U.S., I completed 90 hours of community service, slightly short of my 100-hour goal. Some of the activities I was involved in included:

• Serving meals and welcoming guests at a local soup kitchen called Community Table in Rockbridge County;

•  Playing and interacting with children with autism through an organization called Project Connection;

• Helping with training and stretching activities at my host mom's fitness studio, Flex;

• Volunteering at the concession stand during basketball games and as a ball girl during soccer games.

These community service experiences were incredibly rewarding, as they allowed me to develop my communication skills and make meaningful connections within the host community. I also participated in a Civic Education Workshop in Washington, D.C., as a social media specialist. While there, I connected with a blind student from Liberia named Morris. Seeing the assistive technology Morris used inspired me and later influenced the focus of a community project I planned to start upon returning back to Nigeria.

Coming Home

Returning to Nigeria after a year was challenging. Adjusting back to the food and reconnecting with friends took time. The YES Alumni Association of Nigeria provided valuable support during this transition, helping us navigate cultural differences and reintegrate into our communities. 

After returning to Nigeria, I continued my community engagement through the YES Alumni Association. Every month, the alumni group in Nigeria organizes and carries out projects related to social justice, environmental issues, and support for people with disabilities. I was involved in activities like planting flowers in secondary schools and celebrating International Day of Drug Abuse. 

The Nigerian YES Alumni Association also provides financial support to its members, allocating a monthly stipend for each state’s alumni to use towards their own initiatives. 

The RISE Challenge

Inspired by my experiences in the U.S., I launched my Rise project, aimed at addressing the digital divide in my home state of Bauchi. I conducted seminars in secondary schools, teaching students basic digital skills and the importance of innovation.

Each application year, Rise invites 15- to 17-year-olds from around the world to participate in The Rise Challenge. 

Unlike many traditional applications, Rise uses videos, projects, and group interviews so applicants have multiple opportunities to showcase their potential. For applicants without access to technology, they offer an alternative paper application pathway. Applicants introduce themselves through video or text responses, create an individual project that demonstrates their talents and benefits their communities, complete assessments, and peer review other applicants’ projects, among other activities. 

After applicants complete the Rise Challenge, Rise selects up to 500 finalists to advance to “Finalist Days,” where they demonstrate their motivations, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills in an innovative interview format.

I also ran a month long program for people with disabilities, introducing them to assistive technologies and coding using Scratch. 

To implement my project, I reached out to various organizations in Bauchi, including the  Women with Disability Integrity Development Initiative and the Young Leaders Network. These groups helped secure venues, equipment, and transportation support for the participants. My mom and dad also played a crucial role, with my mom serving as the photographer and my dad providing guidance throughout the process.

I was eventually selected as one of the finalists for the Rise Challenge, allowing me to further develop and refine my initiative. Although I did not go on to become a global winner, I gained valuable experience and access to new opportunities through the process. I am especially grateful for the peer review and quizzes that challenged me to think more deeply about my project and its impact in my state.

Tips for Future Exchange Students

• Be yourself during the application process, but also highlight how you can contribute to your community upon return. I focused on my passion for engineering and the desire to use technology to improve my immediate community.

• Maintain strong academic performance, as good grades are essential for selection. The YES program has strict eligibility requirements, and my academic record helped me stand out.

• Embrace the cultural exchange experience with an open mind and be willing to learn and adapt. Keep in touch with your local YES Program coordinator if you have any issues.

• Engage in community service and extracurricular activities to make the most of your time abroad.

• Stay connected with the YES Alumni Association if you have one in your country to continue your personal and professional development.

Overall, my exchange year in the USA was a transformative experience that expanded my horizons, developed my leadership skills, and inspired me to make a positive impact in my community. I am truly grateful for the chance to represent Nigeria as a youth ambassador, and

I hope you have the opportunity to do so too. I look forward to continuing my journey of growth and service during my gap year.