By YULIA TYUKOVA

It’s time to make a decision to be a host parent so that a foreign exchange student can attend Illinois Valley High School, or another, and stay with a family.

This year’s selection of Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) participants is nearly concluded in Eurasia. FLEX is a U.S. government-sponsored program for secondary school students from the 12 republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia).

Countries participating in the FLEX program are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. FLEX finalists are students 15- to 17-years-old, who were chosen through a multilayered selection process that draws more than 50,000 candidates annually.

Selection is based on evaluation of multiple factors: communication abilities, personal creativity, adaptability and flexibility. Also openness, satisfactory academic standing, English language training, Eurasian country citizenship, age limits, and visa eligibility.

Since 1992, when the program was established, FLEX finalists show positive exchange experiences and leadership potential.

All finalists undergo an extensive orientation to life in America, and pursue a full course of study at a U.S. high school.

The U.S. government provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a high school for a full academic year, and live with a host family. One main goal is to provide students with experience to break stereotypes about American life and society, and build positive relations
with Eurasian countries.

It is also an opportunity for Americans to learn more about life in other countries of the former Soviet Union first-hand, also breaking various stereotypes.

The program provides families the opportunity to host a high school
student for approximately 10 months. Most students arrive in early August to
begin preparation for the school year. During the school year the students
live with their host family, attend the local high school, and participate in regular family and school activities.

Students return home in May or June. Host families and high schools are recruited by multiple partner organizations selected by the U.S. Dept. of State. Organizations are responsible for on-program support for host families and schools, as well as for the students.

American Councils is the central FLEX administrative organization. It works with “Academic Year in USA” (AYUSA), an Oregon placement organization.

For questions or other information contact Ellen Eichamer, regional director, AYUSA Global Youth Exchange, (541) 770-1425; ayusaellen@gmail.com; or visit ayusa.org.

(Editor’s Note: Yulia Tyukova is a Russian exchange student.)