Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recently wrote a letter to school superintendents to encourage international exchanges.
The letter, posted on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website, expressed appreciation to school districts for hosting international students while also promoting global competency. They are urging districts to host international students through the Exchange Visitor Secondary School Student Program, which includes Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) students.
“Today @SecCardona and I sent a letter to superintendents across the country encouraging them to host international students this year. Exchange students benefit entire schools by promoting cultural curiosity, a global mindset and mutual understanding," Secretary of Stat Antony Blinken said in a March 13 Twitter post.
The letter also highlights benefits of international exchanges for American students, including the promotion of cultural curiosity and a global mindset.
According to a BridgeUSA, the J-1 Secondary School Student Program is a cultural exchange program allowing students to study at U.S. high schools for one year. The program will provide students with an opportunity to improve English language skills, experience American culture and develop leadership skills. It is through the U.S. Department of State and requires students to be 15 to 18 years old and have sufficient academic preparation for their grade level. Students are placed with host families who provide room and board, and serve as a primary support system in the U.S.
Discovery Flex is a program through the U.S. Department of State offering high school students from Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia opportunities to study in the U.S. for a year, according to discoveryflex.org. It provides a fully-funded scholarship for travel, tuition, room and board. Students attend a U.S. high school, live with a host family and engage in community service activities. More than 35,000 students compete each year to earn a scholarship through FLEX. There are 22 countries represented and more than 30,000 alumni.
