Congressman Gonzalez Encourages Students to Participate in International Youth Exchange Programs
WASHINGTON—Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) encourages students in Texas' 15th District to pursue international exchange programs hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of State, which are celebrating 75 years of exchange programs. These programs are:
- The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
- Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)
- AFS-USA Study Abroad Program
- AFS Project to Create Global Change
"The federal government offers some incredible opportunities for young people to study and work abroad," Congressman Gonzalez said. "I traveled the world during my youth and it was a foundational learning experience. I encourage every eligible student in South Texas to pursue these and any programs that allow them to explore the world and immerse themselves in other cultures."
The NSLI-Y program lends merit-based scholarships for students in high school and recent graduates. Students are engaged for one academic-year or summer session that offers to teach them languages such as Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish in an overseas location. To apply, submit applications by November 2, 2017.
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program is offered to high school students that are interested in traveling to countries with significant Muslim populations. Students can partake in a one year stay in locations such as Bosnia, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, and more. YES awards a total of 65 scholarships. Application deadline is December 5, 2017.
Students wishing to serve as ‘youth ambassadors,' through the CBYX program, can study abroad in Germany as they gain experience interacting with government officials to learn the language and understand the importance of the US-German transatlantic relationship. Application deadline is December 12, 2017.
AFS-USA offers immersive programs in over 50 countries with academic, volunteer, or language learning components. Students can choose to go abroad anywhere from two weeks to 10 months. Upon completion, applicants will then receive re-entry training to ensure that the impact continues long after their return.
The AFS Project to Create Global Change is an educational contest that prompts 8th-12th graders to analyze global issues and develop volunteer projects to address them. Winning students receive scholarships to go abroad and bring their ideas to life. All participants build important 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, empathy and intercultural communication. To enter, students must submit an original volunteer project idea (via essay or video) that could make a meaningful impact abroad. Submission deadline is December 18, 2017.
Congressman Gonzalez encourages all students in Texas' 15th District to apply to these programs as they provide them with an immersive experience in a foreign country that builds leadership skills, helps students gain a better understanding of other societies and systems of government, and allows students to grow.