The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) is aUSfederal government program

The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) is aUSfederal government program that provides opportunities for high school age students from Eurasia to spend a year in theUnited States, living with a family and attending aU.S.high school. This scholarship program is fully funded by theUnited Statesgovernment and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The scholarship is awarded through a merit-based competition, open at no cost to secondary school applicants fromArmeniaand otherNIScountries. Its goal is to provide an opportunity for high school students from Eurasia to experience life in a democratic society in order to promote democratic values and institutions in Eurasia as well as to extend a hand of friendship from the people of theUnited States of Americato the people fromNIScountries. Applicants are tested and screened in an elaborate open, merit-based competition consisting of three rounds. All finalists participate in a pre-departure orientation in their home countries 4-6 weeks before they depart for theUnited States.  Students live with volunteer, unpaid host families, attend high school tuition-free, and engage in local, cultural enhancement activities, frequently with a civic education or community service focus that is in keeping with the democracy-building goals of the program.

When and How Can You Apply?

Representatives of American Councils visit regions and towns in Armenia(Yerevan, Gyumri, Talin, Vanadzor, Ijevan, Goris, Yeghegnadzor, Sisian, Kapan, Hrazdan, Martuni) to conduct testing. Applicants who meet the program requirements should come to the designated testing center at the time of initial registration and bring proof of eligibility (birth certificate or passport), one recent 3×4 cm photo, and a pen. Please contact American Councils office for testing center locations and testing dates. FLEX program representatives notify almost all school directors, teachers and PCVs of the region beforehand. American Councils office in Yerevan is located at Baghramyan 1, #1.  You can also contact us at (37410) 560045; 544012; 544015, write to us info@americancouncils.am or visit our website www.americancouncils.am.

September 10, 09:00, Hrazdan, School No. 13,  Kentron

September 10, 09:30, Ijevan, School No. 4 (GalikCollege), Nalbandyan str 1

September 11, 17:00, Yeghegnadzor, Youth Center in Cultural House, Momiki str 1

September 11, 09:00, Vanadzor, School No. 6, Lusavorich str 47

September 11, 09:30, Martuni, School No. 2, Narekatsi str 7

September 12, 10:00, Yerevan, Disabled Testing, Unison NGO, Demirchyan str 36

September 12, 15:00, Sisian, School No. 3, Myasnikyan str

September 13, 09:00, Goris, Branch of National Institute of Education, Gusan Ashoti str 32

September 13, 09:00, Talin, TalinHigh School, Gorki str 13

September 14, 09:00, Gyumri, School No. 20, Thatcher str 1

September 14, 09:00, Kapan, School No. 1, Lernagortsneri str 16

September 17, 09:30, Yerevan & other marzes, Yer. St. Ling. Univ., Tumanyan str 42, room 108

The competition is open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements.  Eligible applicants must:

• be born between 15th March 1995 to 15th July 1998
• study in 9th, 10th or 11th grades in school
• have an academic standing of “good” or better
• have previously studied English and demonstrate English language ability at the time of registration
• meetU.S.visa eligibility requirements
• be a citizen ofArmeniaand be able to receive a passport inArmenia.

Students with disabilities must be born between March 15, 1995 to July 15, 1998 and be 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 graders.