Embassy of the United States

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

FLEX: AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

American Councils for International Education is pleased to announce the beginning of FLEX: An Exchange Program for Secondary School Students. The FLEX program was created by the United States Congress to extend a hand of friendship from the people of the United States of America to the people of the countries of Eurasia. FLEX is fully funded by the U.S. Government and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State.  Recruitment, selection, orientation, and travel arrangements for the program are organized by American Councils for International Education.

Now in its eighteenth year, the FLEX academic year program has provided scholarships to more than 15,000 secondary school students. In the current program year, 1,200 students are studying in the U.S. on the FLEX program, including approximately 20 students with disabilities. Each scholarship recipient will live for one year as a member of a U.S. host family and study in an American high school.

Secondary school students from Tajikistan are invited to participate in an open competition for FLEX scholarships for the 2010–2011 academic year. 

To be eligible for the FLEX program, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of Tajikistan
• Currently be enrolled in  9th, 10th, or 11th grade
• Be born after January 1, 1993 (March 15, 1992 for students with disabilities) and before July 15, 1995
• Meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements
• Have an academic standing of  “good” or better

Secondary school students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to participate in the competition. Selected students with disabilities must meet the same criteria as other participants in the program.

All eligible students are invited to take part in Round One. Students who pass Round One (a short English test) will be invited to Round Two, a comprehensive English test and written essay. Applicants who pass Round Two will receive application materials and will be interviewed.  FLEX scholarships are awarded by an independent panel of American professionals in the fields of education and international relations. Selection will be based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application, teacher recommendations, and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience.  FLEX scholarship recipients must return to Tajikistan in May or June 2011.

The test centers will be open in:

Place Date Time Place

Khorog 4 September 09:00 Aga Khan Licyeum

Kurgan Tube 4 September 10:00 Lyceum #1

Khujand 13 September 09:00 School #19

Garm 14 September 09:00 School #1

Isfara 16 September 09:00 Educational Center #1

Istaravshan 19 September 10:00 Gymnasium named after Amonov

Kulob 26 September 09:00 School #53

Dushanbe 28 September 09:00 School #15

For more information about the program or testing in your area, please contact:

American Councils for International Education
Dushanbe, 86 Tolstoy St., Phone/Fax : (992 37) 221-2103, 221-1795
e-mail: flex@americancouncils-tj.org
www.americancouncils.org