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The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX)


What is the FLEX program?

 

   Youth exchange programs with the countries of the Soviet Union began in the 1980s. Exchanges between the U.S. and the USSR, which focused on graduate students and scholars, began earlier, in the 1950s. The FLEX program is the first large-scale, long-term program to focus on secondary school students.
   This program was created by the United States Congress to extend a hand of friendship from the people of the countries of the former Soviet Union. It established the first long-term exchange program for secondary school students to travel to the United States for a year. Now in its eighteenth year, the FLEX academic year program has provided scholarships to over 20,000 secondary school students. In 2009-10, 1,100 students are studying in the U.S. on the FLEX program. Each scholarship recipient will live for one year as a member of a U.S. host family and study in American high school.
   Secondary school students with disabilities are invited to participate in the competition. Approximately 20 students with disabilities are invited to the U.S. under this program each year. Selected students with disabilities meet the same criteria as other participants in the program.

 

The testing schedule for Fall 2010 will be avaible in August 2010

What does the scholarship provide?

  

The FLEX scholarship provides the following:

  • Round-trip domestic and international travel (from home to the United States and back)

  • Monthly allowance to help students participate in social activities and buy necessary personal supplies

  • Placement with a selected U.S. host family for one year
    Enrollment in a U.S. secondary school

  • Program orientation activities including preprogram preparation and re-entry preparation

  • Program activities arranged in local U.S. communities
    Medical insurance, excluding pre-existing conditions and dental care

What is NOT provided?

  

The FLEX scholarship does NOT cover the following costs:

  • Acquisition of an international passport

  • Personal expense not covered by the monthly stipend

  • Excess baggage costs

  • Telephone calls made from the U.S. to home or an e-mail account

Who pays for the program?

  

    This scholarship program is fully funded by the United States government and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State. ECA fosters understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world. ECA programs include educational and training programs that promote personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad.

   The FLEX program is supported at the local level by U.S. citizens and local secondary schools that voluntarily host, educate, and support students with no financial compensation.


Who is eligible to apply to the program?

  

    Selection of students, who will study in USA, is held on the basis of open competition in the frame of FLEX program, as well as all new initiatives directed to democratic reforms in new independent states supported by USA government in the sphere of exchange and it is absolutely free for participants.

Every Azerbaijanian student must be competent to the followings:

  • Students in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, born after 1 January 1993 and before 15 July 1995

  • Be currently enrolled in a secondary school

  • Have an academic standing of "good" or better

  • Have previously studied English and demonstrate English language ability at the time of registration

  • Meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements

  • Be a citizen of Azerbaijan and able to receive an international (zagran) passport 

* Students who change their grade level to an ineligible grade before their departure to the United States will be disqualified.


Who is not eligible?

  

 Students are ineligible to apply if:

  • She/he does not meet the above criteria

  • She/he has stayed in the U.S. for three (3) months or more during the past five (5) years

  • His/her family (or member of family): 
         - has applied or is applying to emigrate to the United States
         - has made plans to emigrate or has already emigrated to the United States.

How are students selected?

  

    Independent panels of American professionals in education and international relations in the United States will select program finalists and alternates. Selection will be based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application; teacher reference; and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience. Students also will be required to provide medical evaluations and be certified as medically fit to participate in the program.

   The selection process will be completed in spring 2010, and all applicants will receive notification of their status by mid-May 2010. English-language proficiency is important but it is not the sole element in selection.


When and how can I apply?

  

    Representatives of American Councils will visit the capitals of regions (oblasts) and autonomous republics within the eleven participating countries to conduct testing during fall 2009. Applicants should come to the designated testing center at the time of initial registration and bring proof of eligibility (birth certificate), one recent 3x4 cm photo, and a pen. Testing center locations will be announced as soon as possible through press and radio announcements; information can be accessed via Internet at www.americancouncils.org, Programs form Eurasia. Applicants may only participate in round 1 testing at ONE test center in fall 2009.
All applicants will take a short English test (round 1). Those who pass the first test will take a longer English-language proficiency test and write a composition in English 9round 2, which usually occurs on the day after round 1). Candidates must successfully complete the first two rounds of the completion before they receive final application materials and are interviewed. After successful completion of rounds 1 and 2, English language ability is no longer considered as a basis for selection.


The testing schedule for Fall 2010 will be avaible in August 2010


How will I benefit from the exchange experience?

  

   The FLEX program offers students an opportunity to learn about the people and culture of the United States. FLEX scholars are also young ambassadors who teach Americans about the people and culture of Eurasian countries. Students gain an appreciation for and develop sensitivity to other cultures, experience personal growth and independence, and become better prepared for an increasingly interdependent world. Students form strong ties with their American host families and U.S. communities, building relationships that often last a lifetime. Many alumni have attended prestigious universities upon their return home, and later found exciting jobs that use skills learned during their stay in the United States.

 

What are some of the possible disadvantages?

  

Students who are interested in this program should consider the possible negative effects of this program:

  • You may not return home in 2011 in time to sit for university/institute entrance examinations.

  • Your university or institute may not defer your admission of you have already been accepted.

  • You may not return home in 2011 in time to take your final school examinations.

  • You may be required by your country to serve in the military upon return.

  • You may have to repeat a year of school

  • You may not be eligible to receive a gold medal at your home school.

  • Although students participate in an academic program in the U.S. the school curriculum is substantially different than in your home country and you will not learn the same subject materials.

Who organized the program?

  

    The recruitment, selection, orientation, and travel arrangements for the program are organized by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS. American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS is an international non-profit organization working to advance education, research, and mutual understanding across the United States and the nations of Southeastern Europe, Eurasia, and South Asia. American Councils designs, implements, and supports innovative programs in education, professional development, and scholarly research.

 

For more information, please contact the FLEX Program Coordinator, Aytac Pashayeva at American Councils, or by email at flex@americancouncils.az  or visit web page http://apps.americancouncils.org/FLEX