Calling All Adventurous and Socially-Conscious High School Students.
Study abroad for free on a full scholarship next fall semester. Do you have an open mind, a passion for discovering the unknown and a desire to learn about other cultures? If so, immerse yourself in the ultimate true cultural exchange experience when you live with a local family in Mali, Oman or Morocco, attend a local high school, take intensive language lessons, and participate in community service projects.
Experience Mali
Mali has a long and illustrious past as an integral part of great African empires. You'll find Mali to be alive with a fascinating cultural mix of peoples, from the nomadic people of the Sahara to the Niger fishing societies. As a result, everywhere you go there are fascinating ceremonies, world-famous musical traditions, oral story-telling traditions, and of course, soccer.
religion
The majority of Mali's people are Muslim although a few hold indigenous beliefs.
family
Immediate and extended family is at the core of Mali's social life.
language
Mali's official language is French, but numerous (40 or more) African languages also are widely used and many communicate in Bambara, which is the country's true lingua franca. High school classes are taught in French.
Experience Oman
Oman displays an unspoiled culture and traditional lifestyle that penetrates almost every aspect of life. Even in its modernity, most obvious with large shopping malls, Oman is distinctly Arab and offers many unique old-world wonders. A combination of new and old, Oman's landscape is a neat combination of rugged mountains, spectacular sand dunes and salt flats, and a beautiful coast line.
religion
The Omani culture has its roots firmly in the Islamic religion and developed its own particular form of Islam, called Ibadhism, after its 7th century founder, Abdullah ibn Ibadh.
family
Omanis are known for a commitment to friendship, hospitality and family solidarity which together form the solid foundation of Omani's lifestyle.
language
The official language is Arabic though English is widely spoken, and along with Arabic is the common business language. High school classes are taught in English with some Arabic.
Experience Morocco
Seeped in rich tradition, this deeply Muslim culture continues to hold traces of French and Spanish colonial rule. The landscape is as intense as the sights, smells and sounds; from bustling cities to Berber towns, the Atlas Mountains, Mediterranean sea coast, and the Sahara desert, Morocco is sure to alight all your senses.
religion
Islam is practiced by the majority of Moroccans and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives.
family
Family is the most significant unit of Moroccan life and plays an important role in all social relations.
language
Arabic is Morocco's official language though in rural areas people speak Berber. French is Morocco's unofficial third language and is the primary language of commerce, economics, education and government. High school classes are taught in French with some Arabic.
Your Study Abroad Experience
Live with a local family:
Your new family will embrace you as one of their own and you'll soon learn what it means to be native to their community. You'll go about daily activities, participate in traditional festivities, eat meals with your family, join social activities and much more.
Attend a local high school:
You may walk or commute to the local school, where you'll quickly make friends with the students in your class, study the current curriculum in the predominant language, and participate in sports or other activities.
Intensive language lessons:
You'll receive intensive language lessons in the country's majority language so that you can increase your participation in your host community. No previous French or Arabic language study is required but it is recommended so that you can feel at ease in your new community upon arrival.
Participate in Community Service:
Your involvement in community service projects will allow you to work alongside locals, share your enthusiasm, time, skills, and energy and give something back to your host community.
About AYUSA's Partners
iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is a non-profit organization made up of over 20,000 schools and youth organizations in more than 115 countries. Since 1988, iEARN has pioneered on-line school linkages to enable students to engage in meaningful educational projects with peers in their countries and around the world.
iEARN is AYUSA's partner in Mali and will be facilitating student placement in schools, with families and supporting students throughout their time in Mali on YES Abroad.
AMIDEAST (America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc.) is a private, nonprofit organization that strengthens mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa. Since 1951 AMIDEAST has provided English language and professional skills training, educational advising, and testing services to hundreds of thousands of students and professionals in the Middle East and North Africa; supported numerous institutional development projects in the region; and administered educational exchange programs.
AMIDEAST is AYUSA's partner in both Morocco and Oman, and will be facilitating student placement in schools, with families and supporting students throughout their time on YES Abroad.
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In Partnership with the U.S. Government
This YES program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and operated by AYUSA Global Youth Exchange.
Why Study Abroad?
"After studying abroad, my life was completely changed. My vision is broadened and my perception of global realities is greatly enhanced. The experience really helped me identify what I want to do with my future-what goals I want to attain."
"The things I learned have helped me to reorient my studies and to become the person I am today. My family and friends say that I have grown a great deal, and they applaud me for putting such conviction and passion into my ideals."
About AYUSA
AYUSA Global Youth Exchange is a non-profit youth exchange organization founded in 1980. AYUSA received its first grant from the United States Department of State in 1983. Since then, AYUSA has administered over fifteen different grant programs.
The YES (Youth Exchange and Study Program) grant was developed to build bridges of understanding between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations. For more information about AYUSA grants visit
our website.
AYUSA Global Youth Exchange is also a part of Intrax Cultural Exchange, a family of companies dedicated to international education and travel with operations in over 80 countries worldwide, visit www.intraxinc.com to learn more.