YES Abroad

       YES stands for Youth Exchange and Study. This is a State Department funded scholarship that was established in October 2002, by Congress. It sends students to the United States from countries with significant Muslim populations. YES Abroad was started for the 2009-2010 school year, it sends

sixty five U.S. students to countries with significant Muslim populations.
Ten countries are participating in YES Abroad for 2013-2014:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina 
• Ghana
• India
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Morocco
• Oman
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Turkey

     YES Abroad students are considered "youth ambassadors" of the United States.
         During their year abroad students stay with a host family and go to a local high school. Students learn about their host country and it's society, as well as religions and traditions. This program works to promote cultural understanding between countries. YES hopes that we represent the United States in a positive light, and that we learn to have a better understanding on the values of Islam, and our host country's culture.
       After applications are submitted, roughly 120 Semi-Finalists are picked to be in the In Person Selection Event. The IPSE consists of interviews, group evaluations and workshops, all Semi-Finalists have their travel expenses paid for. I got to fly down with the two Vermont Semi-Finalists. After the IPSE and three to four weeks of torturous waiting, sixty five Finalists are announced as well as Alternates. The Finalists participate in the Pre Departure Orientation in late June.