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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 106 students and adult educators to take part in one of six exchange programs to countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Youth Ambassadors is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is administered by World Learning. Exchanges are implemented by World Learning, Amigos de las Americas and Georgetown University CIED.
Apply to the U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program for an opportunity to travel to one of the following exchange offerings in the summer of 2024. Country offerings are subject to change in consultation with the U.S. Department of State.
- Belize – English Language Program
- Brazil – English Language Program
- Chile – Spanish Immersion Program
- Costa Rica – Spanish Immersion Program
- Ecuador – Spanish Immersion Program
Program Dates
- Belize: June 24-July 8, 2024
- Chile: July 22-August 6, 2024
- Brazil: July 5-July 20, 2024
- Ecuador A: July 3- July 15, 2024
- Costa Rica: May 21-June 4, 2024
- Ecuador B: July 24-August 6, 2024
Program Themes
- Belize: Youth Leadership & Environmental Stewardship
- Brazil: Social Impact and Entrepreneurship
- Chile: Multiculturalism & Civic Activism
- Costa Rica: Youth Leadership & Environmental Stewardship
- Ecuador A: Interculturalism & Global Citizenship
- Ecuador B: Interculturalism & Global Citizenship
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).
U.S. Youth Ambassadors Application
Youth U.S. Youth Ambassadors Application
Adult Mentor U.S. Youth Ambassadors Application
- Application open: October 2, 2023
- Application closed: November 13, 2023 at 11: 59 PM Eastern Standard Time
Application Process
World Learning encourages all qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status. IMPORTANT: All applications are due by 11:59 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time in the USA) on the designated application deadline. Please make sure that you calculate what time that is in your time zone.”
Important note for all applicants:
World Learning respects the privacy of your personal information. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, protect, store, and use your data. Personal data collected via this application will be used to consider you for participation in, and communicate with you about WorldLearning Programs. Personal data provided via this application may be transferred to and processed by the U.S. Department of State or other partner organizations, as necessary, to administer WorldLearning Programs. Youth Ambassadors Applicants below the age of 16 years must have the consent/permission of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) prior to completing the application. World Learning may verify that such consent has been given prior to considering applicants for any WorldLearning Program.
This Portal may include information which should be considered sensitive and confidential (“Confidential Information”). Such information may include personally identifiable information and sensitive information about the needs or personal circumstances of potential program participants.
In fulfilling your duties you agree not to 1) disclose any Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, to any third party, 2) make use of Confidential Information for purposes other than those for which you have been granted access, and 3) retain any Confidential Information, in any form, following completion of your duties.
Any intentional or inadvertent disclosure, or misuse of Confidential Information, or any conflict of interest or misconduct encountered in discharging your duties should be reported to World Learning immediately.
