FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange Program)

General information: high school academic exchange program funded by the U.S. State Department. Program finalists receive a full scholaship covering one academic in an American public school; finalists are placed in an American host family.

Administering body: American Councils for International Education (ACCELS).
(http://www.americancouncils.org). Tel in Almaty: (727) 2598801

Country of study: USA.

Eligibility requirements: 9- and 10-grade high school students, 1-year college students.

Application deadline: the first stage of the competition is English testing ar school #2, Aktobe, 124 Assau-barak street, September 26-27, 2014.

Application documents:
Birth certificate or passport
Photo 3 х 4 cm

More information: http://apps.americancouncils.org/FLEX/

http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/flex.html

Application and Selection Procedure

Application (September – December)
Competition to get into the FLEX program is intense. Only about one in thirty applicants are ultimately selected.

Round 1, Pre-Test: The pre-test is a 16-question, multiple-choice test designed to screen students’ English language abilities.

Round 2, Pre-TOEFL/SLEP and Essay Test: Applicants take a pre-TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the Secondary Level English Proficiency (SLEP) test. They also write three in-class English essays that shows their readiness for international exchange.

Round 3, Applications and Interviews: Applicants who successfully complete the first two rounds will submit a formal application and participate in a one-on-one interview. Then, they take part in a group activity conducted in the local language.

Selection & Notification (December – April)
Selection: Selection is based upon English ability, personality, social skills, academic achievement, and leadership potential. Notifications are sent out between March and April.