The U.S. Department of State provides over 1,000 merit-based scholarships each year for a summer or an academic year in over 25 countries. These high school exchange programs prepare young Americans to succeed in the 21st century’s global economy by developing their foreign language skills, increasing their cross-cultural understanding, strengthening their leadership capacity, and fostering new academic insights and ambitions.
The application period is now open for the following programs:
- National Security Language Initiative for Youth – Deadline October 30, 2018
- Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad – Deadline December 4, 2018
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange – Deadline December 11, 2018
- Youth Ambassadors (application period opens in December)
All scholarships include international airfare, tuition, and program costs, as well as meals and living accommodations (often with a host family). The programs have no language prerequisites, but applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 when the program starts. Seniors are welcome to apply and can travel after graduation, as long as they meet the age requirement. The program is particularly interested in reaching young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a study abroad experience.
Click on the image to read more about and apply for one or more of these programs.
