Youth Programs Update: January 26, 2021

Given increased restrictions and host institution constraints in Thailand, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person YES Abroad program in Thailand for the Spring 2021 semester. The YES Abroad academic year program for all locations will continue in a virtual format.


Youth Programs Update: December 9, 2020

After a careful review of 2020-21 NSLI-Y academic year program locations, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affair has determined that conditions allow for an in-person NSLI-Y program in Taiwan for the Spring 2021 semester, barring deterioration in local conditions. NSLI-Y academic year programs in other locations will continue in a virtual format.


Youth Programs Update: October 30, 2020

There will be no in-person Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) or Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for academic year 2020-2021 participants. After careful consideration, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs concluded that given the unpredictable and evolving conditions in U.S. schools and host communities, the in-person program cannot be implemented. We will continue to focus on virtual programming.


Youth Programs Update: Sept. 4, 2020

There will be no in-person Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program for academic year 2020-2021 participants. The German Bundestag and U.S. Department of State, after careful consideration, have jointly come to the conclusion that the in-person program cannot be implemented even in a shortened version. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and the challenges it poses for implementation of a reciprocal exchange program involving two governments. Please also note that this decision was made due to the reciprocal nature of the CBYX program and does not impact other ECA youth programs like FLEX, NSLI-Y, YES, and YES Abroad.


Youth Programs Website Update: June 11, 2020

The Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has made the difficult decision not to bring participants in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) 2020-2021 academic-year high school exchange programs this coming fall.

FLEX and YES are both large-scale, complex programs involving nearly sixty countries around the world, as well as school and host family placements in all fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Due to uncertainties worldwide related to travel and visa issuance as well as the uncertainties across the United States with school start-up plans this fall, we are making this decision now to allow for proper planning. We are working closely with our program partners to explore virtual programming opportunities and will continue to monitor conditions to determine whether an early 2021 start date might be viable. More announcements are coming soon.

We hope to return to full-scale programming as soon as possible


Youth Programs Update: May 21, 2020

Youth programs include the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), Jovenes en Accion, National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES), YES Abroad, Youth Leadership, TechGirls, and Youth Ambassadors programs.

General Update

As circumstances are evolving, all CBYX, FLEX, NSLI-Y, and YES academic year scholarship recipients and hosts should remain in close contact with the appropriate implementing partner organization for information.

Questions about individual situations should be directed to our implementing partners. The U.S. Department of State is coordinating closely with partner staff, who are providing support to finalists and hosts.

Program Specific Updates

Summer 2020 Programs

NSLI-Y summer programs, Youth Ambassadors, and Youth Leadership programs:

In-person activities are canceled. Virtual programs are moving forward.

Academic Year Programs

The U.S. Department of State and the German Bundestag have made the decision to delay the start of the CBYX Program in academic year 2020-2021. Partner organizations are in direct communication with participants and hosts regarding the delay for specific program components. This delay affects only the CBYX Program and no other academic year youth programs.

An update regarding FLEX, NSLI-Y academic year, YES and YES Abroad academic year programs will be made by late June.