About FLEX

 

The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program offers high school students (15-17 years) an opportunity to learn about the people and culture of the United States through international exchange, while attending a U.S. high school and living with a U.S. host family.

 

The FLEX program is funded by the United States Government and aims to promote respect for cultural diversity, provide opportunities for personal development and engage in community service, as well as improve mutual understanding between our countries by allowing young citizens of Eurasia to have the opportunity to observe and experience the U.S. way of life for an academic year, as well as help teach Americans about their own countries and cultures.

 

The FLEX program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).  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.

 

Now in its twenty-first year, the FLEX academic year program has provided scholarships to over 23,000 secondary school students. In 2013-2014, 800 students are studying in U.S. on the FLEX program. From Azerbaijan 32 students finalists got a chance to study in U.S. in 2013-2014 exchange year.

 

Secondary school students with disabilities are invited to participate in the competition. Approximately 10-15 students with disabilities are invited to the U.S. under this program each year.

 

American Councils is the central FLEX administrative organization. Its responsibilities include, among other things, recruiting and evaluating scholarship applicants, selecting finalists, arranging roundtrip travel between the students’ homes throughout Eurasia to their host families throughout the United States, providing on-program support for the students and their natural parents, as well as organizing and supporting alumni activities.

 

Representatives of American Councils will visited the capitals of regions (oblasts) and autonomous republics within the eleven participating countries to conduct testing during fall 2013. Applicants should come to the designated testing center at the time of initial registration and bring proof of eligibility (birth certificate), one recent 3×4 cm photo, and a pen on the testing day (testing day is not approved yet). 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. For more information you may also contact American Councils office in Baku at (+99412)436-75-29/30/31 or by contacting American Councils Office in Baku.

 

 

Program Goals

 

Promote mutual understanding and foster relationships between the people of Eurasia and the U.S. by enabling students to:

 

• Gain an understanding of American society, people, values, culture, diversity and respect for others with differing views.

• Interact with Americans and generate enduring ties.

• Teach Americans about your home country and culture.

• Explore and acquire an understanding of the key elements of U.S. Civil Society.

• Share and apply experiences and knowledge in your home country as alumni.

 

 

Scholarship Provides

 

 

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 pre-program preparation and re-entry preparation

• Program activities arranged in local U.S. communities

• Medical insurance, excluding pre-existing conditions and dental care.

 

The FLEX scholarship does NOT cover the following costs:

 

• Acquisition of an international passport

• Personal expenses not covered by the monthly stipend

• Notarization of documents

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

 

 

Eligibility

 

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 oblige by the following:

 

 

• Students in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, born after 1 January 1997 and before 15 July 1999

• 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

 

Every Azerbaijani disable student must oblige by the following:

 

 

• Students in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, born after 1 March 1996 and before 15 July 1999

• 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.

 

 

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.

For more informaion please contact either Sumgait Representative at representative@flexsumgait.org.az or Baku Office at flex@americancouncils.az