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World Learning and our partners at the U.S. Department of State, ECA continue to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 and will post updates as available. Due to safety considerations, virtual or hybrid programming may be offered as an alternate to an in-person exchange. Impacted programs will be noted on the apply now page.
Alumni of Virtual Youth Ambassadors Programs are eligible to reapply to the Youth Ambassadors Program to experience the traditional three-week U.S. exchange program if all eligibility requirements are still met.
Are you a U.S. Citizen interested in a YA exchange internationally?
The U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program is a 3-week leadership exchange abroad for U.S. teenagers ages 15-17 and adult educators. The program provides full scholarships for 120 students and adult educators to take part in one of six exchange programs to countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Apply to the U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program for an opportunity to travel to one of the following exchange offerings in the summer of 2023. Country offerings are subject to change in consultation with the U.S. Department of State.
- Argentina – Spanish Immersion Program
- Belize – English Language Program
- Brazil – English Language Program
- Costa Rica – Spanish Immersion Program
- Ecuador – Spanish Immersion Program
Eligibility Requirements
All Youth Participants must:
- Be high school students between 15 and 17 years old (at the start of the exchange);
- Have at least one semester of school remaining after program participation;
- Be a U.S. citizen and resident;
- Demonstrate leadership aptitude and an interest in community service and in the program theme;
- Exhibit flexibility, maturity, integrity, good social skills, and open-mindedness;
- Have the motivation necessary to be active and successful exchange participants; and
- Have sufficient proficiency in the language of the exchange (English or Spanish) to participate fully in all exchange activities.
- Have parental/legal guardian permission.
- Be willing to complete a Community-Based Service Initiative in their U.S. community after the exchange.
All Adult Educator Participants must:
- Be teachers or community leaders who work with youth;
- Be U.S. citizens and residents;
- Demonstrate an interest in assisting youth to become productive and responsible members of society;
- Exhibit maturity and open-mindedness;
- Be supportive of the teenage participants;
- Have sufficient proficiency in the language of the exchange (English or Spanish) to participate fully in all exchange activities; and
- Be willing and able to meet periodically with selected program participants during the academic year, following the exchange, to support and monitor their follow-on work
(Program application deadlines vary by country)
