Future Leaders Exchange Program
» About FLEX
» Eligibility Criteria
» Recruitment Process
» Selection Process
» FLEX Recruitment Schedule
» Eligibility Criteria
» Recruitment Process
» Selection Process
» FLEX Recruitment Schedule
About FLEX
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program is a US government-sponsored program for secondary school students from the 11 republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia). The program provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a US high school for a full academic year, and live with a US host family. FLEX was established in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Eurasian Secondary School Initiative under the FREEDOM Support Act. Funding is provided by the US Department of State. The goal of the program is to provide the students with experience living in a democratic society for the purpose of promoting democratic values and institutions throughout Eurasia. FLEX celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2002. Since the program’s founding, more than 17,000 students have been awarded scholarships.
American Councils is the administrative organization responsible for, among other things, recruiting and evaluating scholarship applicants, selecting finalists, arranging roundtrip travel between the students’ homes throughout Eurasia to their host families throughout the United States, providing on-program support for the students and their natural parents, as well as organizing and supporting alumni activities.
Finalists are chosen through a multi-layered, merit-based selection process that draws more than 50,000 candidates annually. Participation in the selection process is open to all students that meet the eligibility requirements, which include age limitations, satisfactory academic standing, English language training, Eurasian country citizenship, and US visa eligibility requirements. Selection is based on the evaluation of multiple factors that contribute to a positive exchange experience and provide evidence of leadership potential. All finalists undergo an extensive orientation to life in America, and pursue a full course of study at a US high school. Following completion of their program students must return to their homes in Eurasia, where numerous FLEX alumni associations sponsor activities throughout the year.
US host families and US high schools are recruited by multiple US partner organizations selected by the US Department of State. These organizations are responsible for on-program support for host families and schools, as well as for the students. For program year 2004-05 these organizations include: AFS-USA, AIFS, ASSE, AYUSA International, Academic Year in America, American Councils for International Education, ASPECT Foundation, Center for Cultural Interchange, Council on International Educational Exchange, ERDT, Nacel Open Door, Pacific Intercultural Exchange-USA, Program of Academic Exchange, World Link and International 4-H Youth Exchange Foundation.
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program is a US government-sponsored program for secondary school students from the 11 republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia). The program provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a US high school for a full academic year, and live with a US host family. FLEX was established in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Eurasian Secondary School Initiative under the FREEDOM Support Act. Funding is provided by the US Department of State. The goal of the program is to provide the students with experience living in a democratic society for the purpose of promoting democratic values and institutions throughout Eurasia. FLEX celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2002. Since the program’s founding, more than 17,000 students have been awarded scholarships.
American Councils is the administrative organization responsible for, among other things, recruiting and evaluating scholarship applicants, selecting finalists, arranging roundtrip travel between the students’ homes throughout Eurasia to their host families throughout the United States, providing on-program support for the students and their natural parents, as well as organizing and supporting alumni activities.
Finalists are chosen through a multi-layered, merit-based selection process that draws more than 50,000 candidates annually. Participation in the selection process is open to all students that meet the eligibility requirements, which include age limitations, satisfactory academic standing, English language training, Eurasian country citizenship, and US visa eligibility requirements. Selection is based on the evaluation of multiple factors that contribute to a positive exchange experience and provide evidence of leadership potential. All finalists undergo an extensive orientation to life in America, and pursue a full course of study at a US high school. Following completion of their program students must return to their homes in Eurasia, where numerous FLEX alumni associations sponsor activities throughout the year.
US host families and US high schools are recruited by multiple US partner organizations selected by the US Department of State. These organizations are responsible for on-program support for host families and schools, as well as for the students. For program year 2004-05 these organizations include: AFS-USA, AIFS, ASSE, AYUSA International, Academic Year in America, American Councils for International Education, ASPECT Foundation, Center for Cultural Interchange, Council on International Educational Exchange, ERDT, Nacel Open Door, Pacific Intercultural Exchange-USA, Program of Academic Exchange, World Link and International 4-H Youth Exchange Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2009-2010 FLEX competition, secondary students (including students with physical disabilities) should:
To be eligible for the 2009-2010 FLEX competition, secondary students (including students with physical disabilities) should:
- have been born in the period between January 1, 1993 and July 15, 1995 (January 1, 1992 and July 15, 1995 - for students with physical disabilities);
- be citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic;
- have not lived in the United States for more than three months in the last five years;
- be enrolled in the 9, 10 or 11 grade of a secondary school, gymnasium or lyceum;
- have good academic standing;
- have good spoken and written command of English;
- meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements.
Recruitment Process
Round 1: Pre-Test
All students who meet the FLEX eligibility criteria take a fifteen-minute multiple-choice English test. The pre-test aims to eliminate students with low level of English proficiency. Round 1, 2 and 3 are proctored by American Councils staff and program alumni.
Round 2: SLEP and Essay Test
Those students who pass Round 1 go on to participate in Round 2 which consists of the Secondary Level English Proficiency (SLEP) test. Students also write three in-class essays in English to provide responses to specific questions. Essay questions may be about actual situations that students may have during their exchange or in life in general.
The essay test has five question sets which prevents students from sharing them with their classmates or friends taking the test at another test center, session or day. After Round 2 is complete, all the student-produced materials are sent to the Administrative Office in Moscow, Russia for grading. Field screening committees in Moscow are specially trained to assess essays on the basis of ten factors considered critical for a successful exchange. Round 2 test evaluation conducted by the Administrative Office (not the local Bishkek office) is a important step in the FLEX recruitment: it gives integrity to the competition and relieves the pressure put on the local staff by parents, local ministries and other parties including ineligible or disqualified program applicants.
Round 3: Applications and Interviews
Students with good Round 2 results participate in Round 3. Selected students have twenty-minute individual interviews with the local office staff comprised of one American and one local program employee. Interviews are conducted both English and the student’s native language and in those test sites where students participated in Round 1 and 2.
In addition to the interviews, Round 3 applicants participate in group interviews (usually called "games") and are given application forms. The games are usually conducted in Kyrgyz/Russian. This activity provides an opportunity to observe applicants in a less formal setting and enables the recruiters to see how students communicate with their peers.
On the day of the interview, recruiters invite students and their parents to a parent meeting where they explain the application form in detail. Students have two weeks to complete the application and submit it the American Councils office in Bishkek where they are checked for missing items and are forwarded to the Moscow Administrative Office. The Moscow Administrative Office then sends students’ original SLEP answer sheets, essays and application forms to the American Councils headquarters office in Washington, D.C. for finalist selection.
In the fall/winter of 2009, FLEX program recruiters will visit the following test centers throughout the Kyrgyz Republic: Balykchy, Batken, Bishkek, Jalalabad, Karakol, Naryn, Osh and Talas.
To take part in FLEX, all eligible students should bring originals of their national passport or birth certificate, one recent photograph (3x4 cm) and a pen.
Round 1: Pre-Test
All students who meet the FLEX eligibility criteria take a fifteen-minute multiple-choice English test. The pre-test aims to eliminate students with low level of English proficiency. Round 1, 2 and 3 are proctored by American Councils staff and program alumni.
Round 2: SLEP and Essay Test
Those students who pass Round 1 go on to participate in Round 2 which consists of the Secondary Level English Proficiency (SLEP) test. Students also write three in-class essays in English to provide responses to specific questions. Essay questions may be about actual situations that students may have during their exchange or in life in general.
The essay test has five question sets which prevents students from sharing them with their classmates or friends taking the test at another test center, session or day. After Round 2 is complete, all the student-produced materials are sent to the Administrative Office in Moscow, Russia for grading. Field screening committees in Moscow are specially trained to assess essays on the basis of ten factors considered critical for a successful exchange. Round 2 test evaluation conducted by the Administrative Office (not the local Bishkek office) is a important step in the FLEX recruitment: it gives integrity to the competition and relieves the pressure put on the local staff by parents, local ministries and other parties including ineligible or disqualified program applicants.
Round 3: Applications and Interviews
Students with good Round 2 results participate in Round 3. Selected students have twenty-minute individual interviews with the local office staff comprised of one American and one local program employee. Interviews are conducted both English and the student’s native language and in those test sites where students participated in Round 1 and 2.
In addition to the interviews, Round 3 applicants participate in group interviews (usually called "games") and are given application forms. The games are usually conducted in Kyrgyz/Russian. This activity provides an opportunity to observe applicants in a less formal setting and enables the recruiters to see how students communicate with their peers.
On the day of the interview, recruiters invite students and their parents to a parent meeting where they explain the application form in detail. Students have two weeks to complete the application and submit it the American Councils office in Bishkek where they are checked for missing items and are forwarded to the Moscow Administrative Office. The Moscow Administrative Office then sends students’ original SLEP answer sheets, essays and application forms to the American Councils headquarters office in Washington, D.C. for finalist selection.
In the fall/winter of 2009, FLEX program recruiters will visit the following test centers throughout the Kyrgyz Republic: Balykchy, Batken, Bishkek, Jalalabad, Karakol, Naryn, Osh and Talas.
To take part in FLEX, all eligible students should bring originals of their national passport or birth certificate, one recent photograph (3x4 cm) and a pen.
Selection
American Councils headquarters office trains approximately 150 volunteer evaluators, professionals in education and international relations in the United States who meet daily for about three months to carefully review the applications and attached data. They select program finalists and alternates
Selection is based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application; teacher reference; and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience. Students are also required to provide medical evaluations and be certified as medically fit to participate in the program. The selection process is completed in spring and all applicants receive notification of their status by mid-April. English-language proficiency is important but is not the sole criterion in the selection process.
American Councils headquarters office trains approximately 150 volunteer evaluators, professionals in education and international relations in the United States who meet daily for about three months to carefully review the applications and attached data. They select program finalists and alternates
Selection is based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application; teacher reference; and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience. Students are also required to provide medical evaluations and be certified as medically fit to participate in the program. The selection process is completed in spring and all applicants receive notification of their status by mid-April. English-language proficiency is important but is not the sole criterion in the selection process.
FLEX Recruitment Schedule
September 6, 2009 – Naryn, Round 1
September 7, 2009 – Naryn, Round 2
September 6, 2009 – Talas, Round 1
September 7, 2009 – Talas, Round 2
September 11, 2009 – Karakol, Round 1
September 12, 2009 – Karakol, Round 2
September 11, 2009 – Balykchi, Round 1
September 12, 2009 – Balykchi, Round 2
September 18, 2009 – Jalalabad, Round 1
September 19-20, 2009 – Jalalabad, Round 2
October 9, 2009 – Chui Oblast, Round 1
October 10, 2009 – Chui Oblast, Round 2
October 17, 2009 – Bishkek, Round 1
October 19-21, 2009 – Bishkek, Round 2
October 24, 2009 – Osh, Round 1
October 25-27, 2009 – Osh, Round 2
October 30, 2009 – Batken, Round 1
October 31, 2009 – Batken, Round 2
*Please check our website for more important updates.
September 6, 2009 – Naryn, Round 1
September 7, 2009 – Naryn, Round 2
September 6, 2009 – Talas, Round 1
September 7, 2009 – Talas, Round 2
September 11, 2009 – Karakol, Round 1
September 12, 2009 – Karakol, Round 2
September 11, 2009 – Balykchi, Round 1
September 12, 2009 – Balykchi, Round 2
September 18, 2009 – Jalalabad, Round 1
September 19-20, 2009 – Jalalabad, Round 2
October 9, 2009 – Chui Oblast, Round 1
October 10, 2009 – Chui Oblast, Round 2
October 17, 2009 – Bishkek, Round 1
October 19-21, 2009 – Bishkek, Round 2
October 24, 2009 – Osh, Round 1
October 25-27, 2009 – Osh, Round 2
October 30, 2009 – Batken, Round 1
October 31, 2009 – Batken, Round 2
*Please check our website for more important updates.