FLEX Abroad offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth and fosters the next generation of leaders. We welcome American high school students interested in being an exchange student in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, or Romania for the academic year. Participants live with host families and attend local schools while forming lasting relationships with their host families and friends and sharing their American experience. The program goals are: • Promote increased understanding by emerging leaders from the United States about the societies, institutions, and cultures of the host countries • Foster lasting personal and professional ties that will enhance U.S. economic development opportunities and job readiness • Cultivate leadership, communication, and inter-cultural competence skills amongst American youth • Improve understanding of America and our society in the host countries

FLEX Abroad is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) with funding provided by the U.S. government. The program is administered in the United States and abroad by American Councils for International Education, in partnership with ECA. American Councils has managed and supported private and public exchange programs and students for over 50 years, including a variety of year-long and short-term secondary school exchange programs for approximately 50,000 international and American students. Their well-equipped staff, operating around the globe in a variety of languages, is committed to international education, immersive learning, language study, enriching communities, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

FLEX Abroad participant safety is the number one priority of the U.S. Department of State and American Councils. The program is structured to ensure participant safety and well-being to the greatest extent possible. Host communities in each country are selected in cooperation with the U.S. embassy and their Regional Security Officer, and all parties continuously monitor current events in each country. All FLEX Abroad students are registered with the Office of Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their host country, and students will only be placed in countries that have been approved by the U.S. Department of State. Participants are required to take part in pre-departure and arrival orientations, as well as information sessions, in order to be prepared to make good decisions about their health and safety while abroad. In country, participants are supported by their host family, and by their American Councils local coordinator who provides support, assistance, and guidance from within the community. Upon arrival to the host country, participants are provided with a local mobile phone or SIM card for emergency use. American Councils FLEX Abroad staff in the United States also support participants, as well as their parents/guardians.

American Councils is equipped to respond rapidly to emergencies in host countries or the United States and provides 24-hour assistance to deal with medical or other emergencies, up to and including evacuation. American Councils consults with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. embassy, and external risk management organizations to monitor the safety of U.S. participants in the FLEX Abroad host countries. In addition, the U.S. embassies and consulates in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Romania are also able to offer support services to FLEX Abroad participants as needed.

FLEX Abroad participants are provided with secondary medical coverage to ensure that, in the case of an emergency in the host country, students will be treated as soon and as comprehensively as possible.

One of the key ways that you can support your child’s successful participation is by providing the program with all relevant information regarding their health and family history in the application. Living and studying abroad can be a stressful and challenging experience for people of any age. Culture shock, homesickness, and stress can trigger anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, especially in students who have struggled previously with such concerns. Your child’s medical information will be reviewed by medical professionals and considered in making country and host family assignments but will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation or selection processes. Medical review does not begin until a student is selected as a Finalist or Alternate, and timely completion of this review depends on how quickly answers to medical inquiries are received. The medical review covers topics such as physical and mental health, ongoing medical needs, past or chronic illnesses and conditions, learning disabilities, allergies and dietary restrictions, and any significant changes to health. The purpose of the review is to determine whether a candidate meets the medical requirements necessary for program participation. As described in the Terms and Conditions part of the application, withholding relevant health information may be cause for disqualification or termination from the program.

FLEX Abroad covers round-trip airfare and room and board for the Pre-Departure Orientation, round-trip airfare between the home region and host community abroad, in-country support, cultural activities, school tuition (where applicable), room and board with a host family, secondary medical benefits, visa fees, and a modest monthly stipend.

Some costs that you can expect to incur from your child’s participation in the program include those associated with obtaining a U.S. passport, required medical examinations and immunizations, and extra pocket money while on program.

Preparation for the program begins shortly after finalists are selected. Activities may include sharing of online resources and handbooks; conference calls; opportunities to speak with FLEX Abroad, YES Abroad, NSLI-Y, and FLEX alumni; and local events with other exchange students. Participants are also encouraged to conduct their own research into the host country – its culture, history, and current events. Prior to departure, students will participate in an orientation that focuses on how to stay healthy and safe while living in the host country and how to get the most out of this unique experience.

FLEX Abroad students live with host families who have been carefully screened and selected by trained American Councils staff in the host country. Host families receive a formal orientation to introduce them to cultural differences and prepare them for the hosting experience. These families may or may not speak English. American Councils local coordinators, who are proficient in English, provide support to participants and host families throughout the program. Students will attend a high school in their community alongside local peers.

Participants are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the FLEX Abroad Terms and Conditions form, which is part of the application. Program staff strongly encourage parents/guardians to closely review this document with their child before they apply for the program. Participants are also expected to follow any guidelines from their host family and their in-country local coordinator; guidelines may vary from country to country.

Sharing your home and heart with a FLEX student from overseas is an enriching experience for your family and community. Click here to learn how to become a host family!(https://www.discoverflex.org/apply-to-host) Your decision to host a FLEX student is completely separate from and will have no impact on the review and selection of FLEX Abroad program applicants.