"The FLEX program is built on the conviction that students of today are the leaders of tomorrow. These students are outstanding young ambassadors. It will be especially interesting for FLEX students to be with us in an election year. "

-Chris Duncan
Cluster Director, WI

These FLEX students learned the value of community service while they spruced up a youth home during United Way’s Day of Caring in Bennington, Vermont.

“I’m having fun here with my family and new friends who help me learn how American teenagers live, which is very different from my country.  Thank you to PAX and my host family.”

-Lusine Yesayan
Armenia

To read more about current students, see What's New

The FLEX Program
Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) is a full scholarship program, funded by the US federal government, which enables teenagers from the former Soviet Union to participate in the School Year USA. The program was initiated by former Senator Bill Bradley (above left) in 1992 to build understanding between the US and Eurasia. FLEX countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

PAX and FLEX
Each year since 1996, PAX has been designated by the Department of State as a partner in the FLEX program.  To find out more about the program and locate links to helpful resources, visit the US Department of State FLEX Program website.

For the 2008-09 school year, PAX will enroll 100 FLEX students. FLEX participants are grouped in clusters of three for their homestay, placed close so they can get together for enhancement activities during the year. Each cluster is managed and supported by a PAX cluster director. FLEX clusters are currently based in these communities:

Anchorage, AK
Colorado Springs, CO
Orange, MA
Silver Spring, MD
Phippsburg, ME
Glenville, MN
Eagan, MN
Lebanon, MO
Blue Springs, MO
Goffstown, NH
Albuquerque, NM
Athens, OH
Columbus, OH

Helena, Aristes, PA
Linden, PA
Mercersburg, PA
Leola, SD
San Antonio, TX
Washington, UT
Bennington, VT
Pownal, VT
Richland, WA
Kennewick, WA
Port Edwards, WI
Green Bay, WI
Fond Du Lac, WI

Special Features of the FLEX Program
FLEX students are among the very best and brightest in their homelands. Chosen in a complex, open merit-based competition, they have excelled at US high schools.

Countries in the FLEX program play an important role in our world but are too little known to Americans. Americans of all ages can learn about these countries by welcoming their students.

An expectation of the FLEX program is that students participate in volunteer service, a cornerstone of American community life. FLEX students join local service projects and make a valuable contribution to their host communities.

FLEX Alumni Working for Change
Today, FLEX boasts close to 20,000 alumni who have returned to their homelands to pursue further study and to enter the workforce. These young adults carry with them friendships with Americans and an understanding of the values and traditions precious to America. FLEX students are future leaders with a lasting connection to the USA.

Host a FLEX Student
To learn more about hosting a FLEX student, call the PAX Sponsored Programs Director at 800-555-6211 or e-mail sponsoredprograms@pax.org