Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program YES 2024-25

Interested students who meet the following criteria can download the YES Program application from the website, print out all the pages, fill them out, and submit the application with all required documents to the SIE office via postal or courier service at the following address:

YES Program 2024-25
Society for International Education
88-H, P.E.C.H.S. Block-6,
Karachi.
Tel: 0333-2929960

The last date for submission of the YES Program application is October 06, 2023

Applications will only be accepted through courier/postal service. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Be between the ages of 15-17 by the start of the program (August 15, 2024).
• Be enrolled in a secondary school in Pakistan and be in 9th or 10th grade or 'O' Levels at the time of application. (Note for O’ Level Students: Only O’ Level 9th grade or O’ Level 10th grade students are eligible to apply. O’ Level 11th graders are not eligible.)
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 60% or more. Must have a minimum grade point average of 60% in all major/core subjects (English, Mathematics, Sciences) and no failing grades in the past three years (2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 academic years).
• Students with a gap year or a repeated year are ineligible.
• Be able to communicate in English.
• Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa)
• Be a citizen of Pakistan and reside in Pakistan. Dual nationals of any country will NOT be considered for the program.
• The student must not have traveled to the United States.
• Siblings and children of YES Program alumni are not eligible to participate in the program.
• Siblings and children of Society for International Education and iEARN Pakistan project staff are not eligible to participate in the program.

In addition to the above requirements, students who also meet the following criteria are more likely to be shortlisted for the final round of selection:

• The applicant can represent and demonstrate Pakistani culture and values at American schools and communities.
• The applicant demonstrates maturity, flexibility, adaptability, good character, and scholastic aptitude.
• The applicant is willing to participate in the host family’s daily life.
• The applicant has a record of all necessary immunizations, as outlined in the YES Program application, before arriving in the United States.
• The applicant demonstrates flexibility and a commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding.
• The applicant agrees to attend classes as a full-time student and maintain at least a ‘B’ grade average.
• The applicant agrees to abide by the 'YES Program Student Rules' as outlined in the YES Program application and all other rules and policies during the program.