The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Global Program is a fully funded U.S. government exchange funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by American Councils for International Education in partnership with AFS-USA, Amideast, and iEARN. FLEX Global builds on the legacies of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), which has run since 1992, and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs by expanding participation globally.
How it works:
Selected students spend an academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family, attending a U.S. high school, engaging in community activities, and developing leadership skills. Students return home with deepened English fluency, cross-cultural skills, and a lasting network of host family and alumni connections.
Cost:
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, so participants do not pay program fees.
Selection:
FLEX Global is a highly competitive, merit-based program. The selection process takes place in the applicant's home country, and deadlines and testing rounds vary by country.
Eligible countries (2027-28):
Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
How to apply:
Applications for the 2027-28 academic year are open. Applicants in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan can start the online application at discoverflexglobal.org/apply-to-flex. Applicants in the other countries should contact their FLEX Global country office.