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The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX)

FLEX is a cultural exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered in the Kyrgyz Republic by American Councils for International Education ACTR/ACCELS and supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic. The program provides high school students from across the Kyrgyz Republic with the opportunity to study in a U.S. high school and live in an American host family for one academic year.

The primary goal of the FLEX program is to improve mutual understanding and develop and strengthen long-term relationships between citizens of the United States and other peoples and countries. The U.S. Department of State supports exchanges for secondary school students from over 50 countries through FLEX and other academic year programs. Since the program’s inception in 1993, over 24,000 students have participated in the FLEX program.

APPLICATION FORM

FLEX 2025-2026

Application for FLEX 2025-2026 is CLOSED!

Round 1: In Round 1, applicants must fill out the application form that include three essay questions in English. You will have 10 days from the moment you start filling out the application form to complete it. Instructions for completing the application form are available in the "Video Instructions" section below.

Round 2: This round is conducted online. In Round 2, you must take an English language test. The test takes 15 minutes. You will need to read 2 texts and answer 12 questions. A link to the test will be sent to your email within 24 hours after you submit the Round 1 application. The link will only be active for 24 hours.

Round 3: This round is conducted offline. The participants who successfully pass to Round 3 will receive a call from FLEX program staff between October and December 2024. In Round 3, participants must submit the application form, answer 3 essay questions, take an English language test, and participate in an interview with a group activity.

If you have any questions, please email flex.kg@americancouncils.org.

Preliminary requirements for FLEX 2026-2027

* final requirements for FLEX 2026-2027 will be posted in July 2025

YOU MUST MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS in order to apply.

  • Be born between January 1, 2009 and July 15, 2011;

  • The grade requirements will be updated in July 2025;

  • Be enrolled and attend a school in the Kyrgyz Republic;

  • Have a citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic;

  • Have excellent or good grades;

  • Have a basic knowledge of English;

  • Meet U.S. visa requirements.

Age and class requirements for students with disabilities is different:

  • Be born between February 15, 2008 and July 15, 2011;

  • The grade requirements will be updated in July 2025.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions for creating an account at https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex

To access the Round 1 application form, you must create an account at https:/ais.americancouncils.org/flex.

FLEX Program Interest Form

*Interest Form - If you want to apply for the program, you can subscribe to our mailing list. Those who subscribe will receive a notification when the application opens.  To access the form, you must create an account at https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    • Transportation from home to the place of residence in the USA and back;

    • A monthly stipend for personal expenses, allowing the student to participate in community life and purchase personal items;

    • Accommodation with a carefully selected and vetted American host family for one year;

    • Enrollment in an American high school;

    • Participation in an orientation program, including pre-program and post-program training;

    • Participation in various activities organized locally in the USA;

    • Medical insurance that does not cover the treatment of pre-existing conditions or dental care.

  • Participation in the program is free.

  • In that case, you are not eligible to apply.

    • The participant must not have spent a total of more than 90 days in the USA over the past 5 years;

    • The participant's family members must not have emigrated or be planning to emigrate to the USA, nor should they apply for immigration to the USA.

  • Yes, you can.

  • Check the SPAM folder and make sure that your email accepts messages.