Ronnyelle’s Adventures
Many firsts for Surinamese turned Arizonan
Established by the U.S. Department of State in 2002, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) program provides scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations.
YES exchange students from Indonesia, Pakistan, Kenya, and many more countries spend an academic year with an American host family, learning about American culture, government, and family life.
YES program students hosted by PAX send us stories about everything from family dinners to traveling to Washington, D.C. Read their stories here and learn more about the YES exchange program and hosting a PAX exchange student.
A Home Full of Warmth
Zahira's (Indonesia) wonderful first month
Tunisian Jumps Into Volunteerism
Impactful early experiences in Wisconsin
YES September 2023
Sweet and sour Sidra
Thanks for the Memories!
Dance show caps off busy spring for Thai teen
June 2023: Yvonne from Indonesia
Positive attitude the key in South Dakota
May 2023: Mariam from Pakistan
A true grassroots diplomat in Utah
Marc from Egypt 2017/18
English instruction and youth empowerment
YES Students of the Month
February, March, & April 2023
Pageantry in Arkansas
Big first for Indonesian
Road Trip!
Caverns, aliens, and white sand for Madina (Uzbekistan) and Shaista (Pakistan)
FLEX & YES Students of the Month (Dec 2022 - Jan 2023)
Four scholarship students recognized
Making a Difference in Utah
Winner: International Education Week student contest
Reaching Thousands for IEW
Pakistani holds 51 presentations!
Unforgettable IEW in Indiana
Mohammad proud to represent the Philippines
A Privilege to Present Morocco
Louay leans in for an extra special week
Rewarding Work with the FCCLA
Pakistani leans into leadership role in TX
Challenging But Worth It
Indonesian on religious understanding, making friends, and pushing herself
Comparing Pakistani and American Cultures
A few observations from Arizona
2020 Reunion
Pacific Northwest "Pandemic PAXers" reconnect
YES Student of the Month: November 2022
Ghanaian positive role model in Vermont
YES Student of the Month: October 2022
Hard work and positive attitude pay off for tech-loving Indonesian
Kosovar Catches Community Spirit
Puhiza (center) volunteering in the concessions, again
"Alumni Instructor" Reflects on YES Orientation
Albanian helps prepare the 2022/23 cohort
Home Away from Home
Like a bridge between cultures: an exchange's beginning
Pakistani “Plays” Her First Football Game
"Shiny black shoes" & Friday night lights
First Day Filled with Surprises
This Bosnian's #1!
Turk Finds it All a Bit Surreal
Hoosiers, homecoming, and the yellow school bus
Student Council Embraces Cultures
Pakistani's pitch a hit in Ohio
Getting Acclimated in Arkansas
Volunteering the highlight for Moroccan
Homecoming Fun in South Dakota
Indonesian happy to pitch in for the festivities
First Period Forensics in WV
Showing off his Indonesian school uniform
Kelvin & Telmuun
Exchange bros adapt to life in Indiana
Sahar's First Piece for the School Newspaper
"From the barren mountains of Balochistan..."
A Night to Remember (Contest Winner)
"A prom for our friends with special needs"
New York Blooms for Indonesian Student
Plus, Vidya finally gets her hands on "the infamous funnel cake."
Farewell in Indiana
"One heck of a roller coaster"
Achieving Small Dreams
Indonesian focused on impact in WA
Volunteering Brings Joy
Seniors and children provide lessons to take back to Africa
Indiana, Meet Malaysia
Yoong Wen's International Education Week in May
Wrestling with Success in Indiana
Jordanian named "True Varsity"
The Power of Public Speaking
Filipino finishing strong in Oklahoma
Kenyan Alum Running for Office
Interview with Alumnus James Sifuna (YES 2015/16)
Winner: Exploring Global Education Systems
Virtual Exchange project peeks inside 6 countries' classrooms
Model Student from Mali
YES Student of the Month (March 2022)
Young Leader Learns & Shares in Catholic School
YES Student of the Month (April 2022)
Bowled Over in Ohio
Pakistani puts up a 200
Wishing for More Winter in Vermont
Nigerian becomes winter's biggest fan
Winter Ends, Spring Comes!
Change of weather, change of sports, change of scenery
Lessons from Florida
Don't miss Malaysian's video!
10 Kilometers or 6 Miles?
Epic father-daughter hike
FLEX & YES Students of the Month (Jan - Feb 2022)
Four scholarship students recognized
An Honor to Present My Culture
Givani gets Washington classmates dancin'
Head Held High (Contest Winner!)
Henna, dance, and a beautiful Arizona backdrop
Nigerian's New Passion
Determined Khalid peddles past competition
Presenting Pakistan in Indiana
Even PE got some IEW
Busy Bangladeshi
YES Student of the Month, December 2021
My First Hockey Game
Compulsory mascot photo inside
Take Initiative and Speak
PAX/YES alumna introduces English program in Albania
Turk Talks Midwestern Fall
Can't take these two anywhere...
The Legend of Malin Kundang
West Sumatran folklore first in Washington?
Soccer Pride in Vermont
Ghanaian makes friends and the newspaper
On Homesickness
The perspective of an exchange student
Making Sierra Leone Proud
YES Student of the Month, November 2021
What to Expect When Camping
"I feared I would freeze to death (not really, of course, hehe)"
Independence Day in Arizona
Pakistani style
"Working" Like Dogs
More adorable photos inside
My First Days
A Turkish student's warm welcome to the heartland
Adapting and Sharing: Start with the Little Things
Felicia's first days full of small cultural treasures
Mara from Mozambique
YES Student of the Month, October 2021
The End of a Story with a Heart Full of Memories
End-of-year thoughts
FLEX & YES Virtual Student Spotlights (May-June 2021)
Four standout teens' standout years
YES Virtual Student Spotlight (April 2021)
Malian invested in the experience
Global Positivity
FLEX/YES students team up with American teens for mental health
The Language Teachers/Learners
Six students, six languages
Exchange Memories
Kenyan remembers like it was yesterday
Bonds Last Long After
Important lessons on exchange
Reminiscent and Thankful
Always plenty of thanks to go around for an exchange student
YES Virtual Student Spotlight (March 2021)
Meet PAX's nomination
YES Virtual Student Spotlight (February 2021)
PAX's Student of the Month nominee
The Meaning of Culture
Bulgaria through Ralitsa's eyes [image: Destination Management Bulgaria]
Holidays in Bangladesh
A close look at Bengali New Year
Exploring Indonesia During IEW
Muhammad gives us a private tour
Polish Cuisine
"Ola" gives us a primer
Virtual Trip to West Borneo
Indonesian shows us around his province
The History of Indonesian Cangkuak
And some stunning scenery to boot
Homesick For the Holidays
Alum talks complicated Christmas emotions
With Autumn Comes Alumna Nostalgia
Oh, sweater weather
PAX Alumni Become Social Media Mentors
Former students pass on words of wisdom
Lessons in Language
Turkish and Indonesian slang
Building Bridges With Technology
#NoTechMoFun
“Dunyabaru” Means New World
Host sisters connect Indonesia, Pakistan, and America
Small Differences, Big Similarities
Turks and Texans: commonalities?
When We Know Better, We Understand Better
Stereotypes true? Fifi explores.
Ramadan Videos Break Stereotypes
Indonesian introduces Muslim holy month
Leaving Early, Looking Back
Quarantined Egyptian with time to reflect
Appreciating Essential Workers
Cookies for a cause
Cherishing Diversity (IEW Contest Winner)
Hamad's 75+ presentations for International Education Week
Big Planning, Big Audiences
Libyan's hard work pays off
Folksy, Phone-Free Weekend
A fun weekend without smart phones?
Future American Farmer?
More to the FFA than the name implies
One Smooth Filipino
Watch out now!
Bringing the Art of Henna to Indiana
Sharing culture and making friends
Busy Times in Washington
What didn't Lois do?
Family Visit to the Grand Canyon
First national park visit
Running into a New Life
Step by step
American Traditions: Homecoming
Look out, dance floor!
Boundless Energy from Lebanon to Oregon
94 International Education Week presentations
Jordan Goes to Washington...State
Aya on International Education Week
Albanian Enthusiasm During IEW
Aleksis on top of IEW
Season of Experiences and Opportunities
Syed falling right into autumn
Hiking Mt. Rainier with PAX Family
Pakistani amazed at "PAX teamwork"
From Albania to America
Learning about the Navajo
What's Your Word?
Regional Development Manager challenges students
Thriving in Utah
A lot of firsts for Neha
A Proud Wisconsin Host Mom
50 volunteer hours in two months
From Suriname to Sunshine Club
Cheraine getting involved in Indiana
The Little Dreamer
Filipino settlin' in out in Washington
Connecting People
Hope of the future
Overachieving Indonesian
Cakra's long list of achievements
Unity in Diversity
The meaning of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika"
Sifatul Keeping Busy During IEW
Indiana community enjoys Bengali-filled week
Mountain Bikes and Memories
Thai finds her path
Service Learning
"Borno" enrolled in one-of-a-kind class
Bonding Time With My Host Mom
Kosovar heads to mother-daughter camp
Becoming a Successful Ambassador
Hiking, tacos, football, apple picking: all crucial
Indonesian Flag Waving
Celebrating Indonesia’s Independence Day in Indiana
Paddling on the Potomac
Unique American experience for Egyptian
Somebunny is Going to be Missed!
Year hopping right along for Saudi and Japanese students
Rock on, Marzaan!
Unique cultural experiences in Arizona
Teaching English Back Home
Yasmeen makes use of English skills back in Israel
"YES!" I Continue To Volunteer
PAX/YES alumna truly living YES program goals
An Artist With a Bright Future
Honorary Michigander draws attention with artistic ability
Choosing to Face Obstacles
Pakistani chosen for Future Farmers of America convention
“Mummy’s” the Word!
Jessy from Egypt shares culture at local festival
Continuing to Lend a Hand!
Bayu as impressive an alum as PAX student
From the Writer’s Desk
Indonesian writes children's books
Earth Day Efforts
Pakistani and host dad never tire of helping environment
Overcoming a Fear
Natalie recounts touch and go relationship with Gidget the dog
Swimming Abroad
Swim like an Egyptian?
Golden Memories
Going above and beyond during International Education Week
Building Community
Teaming up with United Way in Vermont
What Really Matters
Smells like family in Tennessee
There is No “I” in “Teamwork”
An important lesson from wrestling
