FLEX Global Abroad is funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by American Councils for International Education in consortium with AFS-USA and Amideast.

View eligibility requirements at https://www.discoverflexglobal.org/eligibility-flex-global-abroad.

No. U.S. citizenship is required for program participation.

The combined FLEX Global Abroad and NSLI-Y program application can be found at https://ais.americancouncils.org/highschoolstudyabroad. Applicants may apply for one or both programs using the single application form. For assistance, contact us at 1-800-380-6552 or highschoolstudyabroad@americancouncils.org during business hours on Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Follow the FLEX Global Abroad program on Instagram for important announcements and opportunities, as well as the FLEX Global Program on Instagram and Facebook.

All complete and eligible FLEX Global Abroad applications will be reviewed by trained program evaluators and staff. Selected semifinalists will be contacted to take part in an interview over the winter. Applicants will be notified of their selection status (finalist, alternate, or not accepted) on a rolling basis beginning in spring and their country assignment, next steps, and responsibilities. Alternates may be upgraded to finalists, should a finalist decline to participate.

The program welcomes American high school students who are interested in taking the road less traveled by studying in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, or Thailand for the academic year. Participants live with host families and attend local schools while sharing about America and forming lasting connections with their host families and friends. The program goals for participants are: To develop an appreciation for their host cultures, broaden their perspectives, and develop language abilities through direct engagement and exchange.To actively share information about their home culture with their hosts and local communities while building lasting relationships.To demonstrate and share U.S. ideals, including freedom of speech and business principles in their host communities.To develop leadership skills and learn about business and entrepreneurship.

Host countries and communities are identified and selected by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. embassies. Country assignments are made by FLEX Global Abroad staff taking into consideration the finalist application and selection committee input. While applicants may opt to rank their country preferences, applicants should be open to being placed in any of the available countries.

FLEX Global Abroad provides:Round-trip airfare between the participant’s home and host communities. This includes domestic airfare to Washington, DC and room and board for the pre-departure American Innovation and Leadership WorkshopComprehensive virtual pre-departure orientationIn-country support, cultural and leadership activities, mid-year orientation, and school tuition (where applicable)Room and board with a host familyEmergency accident and sickness coverage in the host countryHost country visa feesRe-entry orientation at the scheduled conclusion of the program, as well as membership in International Exchange Alumni, the Department of State’s exchange alumni networkA modest monthly stipend, reflective of typical costs for basic needs in the host countryAccess to a mobile phone or SIM card while on program FLEX Global Abroad does not provide:Fees for obtaining a U.S. passport in time for the visa application process. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the scheduled program end dateRequired medical examinations and immunizationsPocket spending money for personal expenses above and beyond basic needs

Host families are carefully screened and selected by trained local program staff, who also check in regularly with the student and host family, together and separately, and provide support when needed. Host family compositions vary. Some families have two parents, others one; some have children, others don’t or are empty nesters. Participants might either share a room with a host sibling of the same gender or have their own room. Participants will always have their own bed. Participants typically form lasting bonds with their host families, who support them in integrating into the larger community.

Participant safety is the number one priority of ECA and all program implementers, who work together along with the U.S. embassy to determine the best course of action in case of an emergency. In case of civil unrest in the host country, for example, participants may be removed from the host community and returned to the United States at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State. Required pre-departure and in-country orientations include basic and country-specific information about how participants can exercise sound risk assessment and decision-making in their host country and act accordingly, thereby taking smart steps to ensuring their personal safety.

FLEX Global Abroad is an approximately 10-month long cultural exchange program that focuses on meaningful and immersive exchange for students who are curious about the world and looking to take the road less travelled. The program is less structured and less academically rigorous than NSLI-Y, instead focusing on growth through immersion into daily life. While NSLI-Y focuses on language development, FLEX Global Abroad seeks applicants who would be happy to go to any of the available countries – to “bloom where you are planted."

While FLEX Global Abroad is not a language-learning program, the program includes a language learning component at the outset of the program to help participants communicate within their community. Additional language support may be available, and students are encouraged to learn through interacting with their host family and new friends.Many FLEX Global Abroad countries, host families, and schools are multilingual. More information will be provided during the active application phase. Here are some examples of how local languages can vary: Georgia Typical Language of Instruction: Georgian and/or English Typical Host Family Languages: Georgian and/or English Language Requirement: None Kazakhstan Typical Language of Instruction: Kazakh, Russian, and/or English Typical Host Family Languages: Kazakh, Russian Language Requirement: None ThailandTypical Language of Instruction:  ThaiTypical Host Family Languages:  Thai, EnglishLanguage Requirement:  None

It is not the same as classroom learning! Immersive language learning can be challenging and tiring, but the rewards are commensurately gratifying. Even with the initial language courses provided by the program. Participants should be prepared to make a significant effort of their own to independently learn the local language, as quickly as possible, in order to more fully integrate into the host family, community, and school.

All FLEX Global Abroad participants are expected to attend school regardless of their U.S. graduation status, and are asked to sign an Academic Commitment Form to make their best effort with schoolwork and classroom participation. Classes may be taught in one of the local languages, in English, or in a combination of languages. Even in classes where participants do not understand the content, they should treat it as a “language lab” and try to pick up words and concepts as part of getting familiar with the language and building relationships with their peers and teachers. Curricula will vary, with the most common subjects being math, science, language, and humanities. Participants will receive their class schedule upon arrival to their host community. Some FLEX Global Abroad participants who are 17 or older should be prepared to be placed in class with students 1-2 years younger than they are.

Applicants need to discuss this with their home U.S. school, as it is solely their decision. The program does not provide any services related to credit transfer. It is the applicant’s responsibility to consult with their home institution about timelines, graduation, and possible credit transfer options. The program recommends that this be addressed in the early phase of the application process. If needed, the program can provide the home institution with a letter describing the participant’s academic activities in the host country.

Extracurricular activities vary by country and region. In many cases, unlike in the United States, such activities are not managed through the school system but may be available through independent youth clubs or community groups. While joining extracurricular activities can be a great way to integrate into the host community, FLEX Global Abroad participants with a career or long-term focus on certain activities should keep in mind that access to these activities cannot be guaranteed.

FLEX Global Abroad students are expected to remain on program in the host country for the duration of the program. Trips home for weddings, graduations, family events, home academic requirements, college orientations, and other similar events are not permitted. Exceptions are considered by American Councils and ECA only in cases of family emergencies.

Finalists will be provided with visa application instructions upon notification, in the spring, and are required to obtain a visa in time for the assigned departure date for the country group. Visa requirements are determined by the host country’s government. Typically, the visa application process requires applicants to obtain several notarized copies of official documents, both for the participant and their parents/guardians, such as birth/immunization certificates and school documentation.Many host countries also require participants, and sometimes their parents as well, to submit their passports either directly to the embassy/consulate or to the program’s U.S. office for group processing. For this reason, participants will be without their passports for over a month during the spring and/or summer prior to departure.

The FLEX Global Abroad team communicates communicates with applicants and their families using the email addresses provided in the application. To modify an email address after submitting your application, please contact the FLEX Global Abroad team at American Councils for International Education at highschoolstudyabroad@americancouncils.org or 1-800-380-6552.

The FLEX Global Abroad program follows guidelines set by federal law, known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. If you are selected as a finalist, we will provide you with details about how the program is implemented and how information is shared. For more information, see our Notice of Privacy Practices here.