Now in its 12th successful year, the Kennedy-Lugar Exchange and Study (YES) program concluded its most recent exchange year with a Capitol Hill reception worthy of its students' achievements. Hosted by YES co-founder Senator Richard Lugar (retired), US Department of State Assistant Secretary Evan Ryan, and American Councils President Dan Davidson, students, partners, and YES supporters were in full force to applaud the energetic group of students from 13 countries.
In the wake of September 11, 2001, Senator Lugar co-sponsored YES in a bi-partisan effort with the late Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy to foster positive relationships among young people from countries with significant Muslim populations and help more Americans learn about these countries and cultures firsthand.
Upon greeting the students, Senator Lugar shared his delight in celebrating all that the YES exchange students have accomplished, saying: "It is our responsibility in this modern, globalized world to gain an understanding of the similarities that unite people from all over the world and the bridges that can be built between our countries. These students, along with their American classmates who have learned as much or even more from them, are the future leaders of their communities, nations, and the world, and I wish them every continuing success from this graduation day forward."
Secretary Ryan highlighted several outstanding alumni. This year's graduating class of YES students, Secretary Ryan noted, contributed over 50,000 volunteer service hours in their US host communities. "With your energy, your self-confidence, and the skills and knowledge you've gained during your year here, you are ready to join them and to undertake new, creative initiatives that will make a difference in our world," Secretary Ryan said.
American Councils President Dr. Dan E. Davidson spoke about how the students' time in the US will continue to influence their lives and the way they look at the world. "We hope you will take home the lessons of community service and the value of civic involvement as well as the leadership skills, the personal motivation, and sense of self-confidence to address the issues that concern you most in your neighborhoods, cities, and around the globe."
Speaking From the Heart YES Student Presenters
Selected as guest speakers of honor, three students relayed their YES experiences to the group. Usman from Pakistan shared that he will depart the US with two homes one in Bhimber, Pakistan and another in his host community of Winona, Minnesota. Usman, an active member of his school's Model Legislature and Model UN teams, helped sponsor and pass a bill entitled Accessibility to Interfaith Prayer Rooms at Minnesota High Schools.
Fatima from Bahrain talked about educating members of her host community in Beloit, Wisconsin about interfaith dialogue and combating negative stereotypes. Fati, as her friends call her, recalled her invitation to speak at Beloit College about fighting Islamophobia and how, afterward, she hosted an interfaith dialogue dinner, complete with Bahraini food, where local community members discussed women in Islam. Fati told the group, "I have touched lives and helped shape a dialogue about tolerance, diversity, and interfaith peace that keeps going in Wisconsin after my departure and will continue for the rest of my life."
Merima from Bosnia and Herzegovina related her experience learning about community service while living in North Carolina. When she wasn't serving as the goalie on her high school's lacrosse team, Merima was volunteering at her local church, preparing over 2,500 lunches for homeless community members, and building "intercultural bridges of friendship." Merima said, "My YES year has opened my eyes and shown me that I have a real purpose in this world."
About YES
During the 2015-16 school year, American families from 692 communities and over 700 schools across the US hosted 897 YES students from almost 40 countries. The YES program offers merit-based awards, funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), that provide each student with a full cultural immersion experience through living with a host family across 46 states, attending a US high school, and helping students develop the skills necessary to be an engaged and committed leader on local, regional, and global levels.
By participating in the YES program, each YES scholar is at the forefront of citizen diplomacy, serving as a youth ambassador for his or her respective country. Each YES student promotes mutual understanding by building lasting relationships with host families and host schools and through community engagement, volunteer service, and leadership training. Since the beginning of the YES program, more than 10,200 students have participated in the program, and together they have completed more than 420,000 hours of community service while living in America.
Bring the world to your community by hosting a YES international exchange student in your home. Learn more.