Kennedy-Lugar YES Exchange Program 2027 in USA

Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program 2027 is a U.S. Department of State-funded high school exchange opportunity that allows eligible students from participating countries to spend a semester living and studying in the United States.

For the Spring 2027 semester, selected students will travel to the United States for an exchange period running from January to June 2027. The programme provides an opportunity to experience American high school and community life while developing leadership skills and strengthening connections between the United States and participating countries.

About the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 2002 and is designed to create stronger relationships between young people in the United States and countries of strategic importance.

YES participants live with U.S. host families, attend American high schools and participate in community and cultural activities. The programme also emphasizes leadership development and intercultural understanding.

Students are selected through a rigorous, merit-based competition, making the programme highly competitive.

Spring 2027 Exchange Programme

The current YES programme announcement is specifically for the Spring Semester 2027.

Successful participants will:

Live with a host family in the United States.
Attend an American high school.
Experience American culture and everyday community life.
Develop leadership and intercultural skills.
Participate in activities designed to deepen understanding of American governance, business and innovation.
Build relationships with Americans and other international exchange students.

The exchange is intended to be more than academic study, with students becoming part of their host communities during their semester in the United States.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is determined by the student’s country of citizenship and residence, and requirements can differ between participating countries.

The official YES website currently lists participating-country pages for:

Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kosovo, Malaysia, North Macedonia and Pakistan.

Prospective applicants should therefore select their country on the official YES website and review the specific requirements before applying.

For example, the current Pakistan requirements state that applicants for the 2027 programme must be 15–17 years old by January 1, 2027, be enrolled in secondary school in Pakistan, meet specified academic requirements, communicate in English, satisfy U.S. J-1 visa requirements and meet the programme’s citizenship and residence conditions.

The Bangladesh requirements similarly include country-specific age, school-enrollment, academic, English-language, citizenship and U.S. visa conditions.

Because these requirements vary, applicants should not rely on eligibility rules from another country.

Funding and Programme Support

The YES Program is generally presented as a fully funded exchange programme, with programme support covering the major costs associated with participation.

The official programme information confirms that YES students live with U.S. host families, attend American high schools and receive support through the exchange structure. The programme is administered by partner organizations, including American Councils for International Education, AFS and iEARN.

The official YES website’s country-specific and programme information should be used to confirm the precise financial package applicable to each participating country and intake.

Host Family Experience

An important part of the YES exchange is living with an American host family.

Students become part of the household and community while gaining firsthand exposure to American culture, customs and daily life. The programme describes host-family relationships as an important part of the exchange experience and its broader goal of strengthening connections between the United States and participating countries.

This cultural exchange works in both directions: students learn about American society while sharing their own culture and perspectives with their host communities.

Selection Process

YES applicants go through a competitive selection process.

The process can include several stages, depending on the participating country. For example, the official Bangladesh page states that applicants take an English proficiency examination, write a proctored essay, complete the YES application and participate in an interview.

The Pakistan programme likewise describes multiple rounds of application and selection.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate academic readiness, communication skills, adaptability, motivation and interest in cultural exchange.

Important Eligibility Considerations

The YES programme has strict country-specific requirements.

The official programme information also states that students who have already completed or graduated from secondary school before the beginning of the programme are not eligible.

Additional requirements can concern:

Age at the start of the programme.
Current grade or year of secondary school.
Academic performance.
English proficiency.
Citizenship and country of residence.
Previous travel or residence in the United States.
J-1 exchange visa eligibility.
Family or previous-participant restrictions.

Applicants should always use the requirements published for their own country.

Application Deadline

The supplied YES homepage confirms that applications are open for the Spring Semester 2027, but it does not provide one universal application deadline for every participating country.

Deadlines and recruitment procedures are handled through country-specific recruitment organizations. Students should therefore select their country on the official YES website to identify the applicable application instructions and deadline.

How to Apply

The YES application process begins by selecting your country from the official participating-country list.

Official YES Program Website:
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program

Participating Countries:
YES Program Countries

After selecting your country, follow the instructions provided by the relevant recruitment organization.

The programme lists AFS-USA, American Councils and iEARN as recruitment organizations for YES students.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Programme	Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES)
Sponsor	U.S. Department of State
Host country	United States
Intake	Spring Semester 2027
Exchange period	January–June 2027
Target group	High school students
Programme type	International student exchange
Selection	Competitive, merit-based
Host arrangement	U.S. host family
School	American high school
Eligible countries	Participating countries only
Application deadline	Varies by country
Application	Through country-specific YES recruitment channels

Final Thoughts

The Kennedy-Lugar YES Exchange Program 2027 provides eligible high school students with an opportunity to spend a semester in the United States while attending an American high school, living with a host family and participating in cultural and leadership activities.

The Spring 2027 programme runs from January to June 2027, and the official YES website confirms that applications are currently being promoted for this intake.

Because the programme is country-specific, students should not assume that they are eligible simply because they meet a general age or academic requirement. The most important first step is to select your country on the official YES website and review the exact requirements and application deadline applicable to you.

SEO Keywords

Kennedy Lugar YES Exchange Program 2027, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program 2027, YES Exchange Program USA 2027, fully funded exchange program USA, high school exchange program USA 2027, YES Program Spring 2027, student exchange program United States, U.S. Department of State YES Program, fully funded high school exchange, international student exchange USA, YES scholarship for high school students, Kennedy Lugar scholarship 2027, study in USA for high school students, cultural exchange program USA, YES Program application 2027, YES Program countries, fully funded student exchange program 2027.

APPLY NOW