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Frequently Asked Questions

YES  2020 – 21


  1. What is the cost of the Program?

The program is fully sponsored and the scholarship covers all major costs like Airfare, US Visa Fee, boarding and lodging in the U.S.A., School Tuition and a $125 a month stipend.

  1. Is there any flexibility in age?

The age criteria is not flexible. The required age is minimum 15 years and maximum 17 years on 1st August, 2020 (the year they are traveling to the U.S.A.) for the program. (Born between 1st August 2003 to 1st August 2005)

  1. Can I apply, compete and then if I get selected, I decide if I am really serious about actual participation in the program?

This is highly discouraged, you can apply only if you are genuinely and seriously interested in participating in the program from very beginning and has full family support and permission.

  1. I have already traveled to the U.S.A., can I apply?

Applicants with previous travel history to the U.S.A. are not eligible for the program.

  1. I am not a Pakistani national, or do not live in Pakistan, do I qualify to apply?

The program participation is only for Pakistan nationals who study and reside in Pakistan.

  1. What are the medical requirements?

The program requires immunization records which are VERY IMPORTANT for every student. Other than common immunization requirements in Pakistan, special vaccinations may be needed to be administered, depending on the host state’s requirement. Students also need to clear the TB skin test to attend the program.


  1. Where will the students live in the U.S.A.?

All YES exchange students are placed with American host families for one academic year and attend American high school for one academic session. These placements are done by a group of the US based students exchange organizations that are well reputed and are approved by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

  1. What are host families?

These families are very carefully chosen and they take care of the exchange students like their own children, attending the parents meetings at schools, getting involved and taking interest in everything the students are doing.  These families give special importance to the exchange students to make this exchange year memorable and exciting by organizing activities and events for them.


  1. Where do host families come from?

The host families are ethnically diverse. While English must be the first language spoken at home, this does not preclude the fact that many families are from varied ethnic backgrounds, i.e. African Americans, Asian Americans and European Americans. Students should be prepared to be placed with host families from any type of ethnic and cultural background. In addition, families of different religious backgrounds can be found in every American community.

The girls will be exempted from all activities, sports etc. that require them to wear clothes that are against Islamic and Pakistani values.

  1. How are the host families selected?

The staff from the placement organizations selects the host families matching them with the interests of the students they are placing with the family. The potential host families are found through community service organizations, churches, athletic leagues, youth groups, foreign language classes, malls, county and state fairs, advertising, etc.

  1. What will be the student’s status at the host family?

Students will develop many relationships during the ten months on the YES program. The relationship with the student’s host family is at the heart of the cultural exchange and will likely to be the most important of the year. American Councils and other placement organizations staff make every effort to place students with families that will compliment their students’ personality and interests. All YES students need to possess a strong desire to be part of an American family and a willingness to accept responsibilities in their new family. These responsibilities will include (for both boys and girls) helping with household chores, keeping one’s room clean, and abiding by all family rules, even if they differ from their natural family’s rules.

Student must exhibit flexibility, tact, politeness and maturity of character. YES students who expect to be treated like guests or given special consideration in their American families are unlikely to succeed on the program.

  1. Can I live with my relatives?

Students are not allowed to be hosted by their relatives in the U.S.A. or can demand to be placed with relatives. Any interference by the relatives in the U.S.A. will affect the adjustment process negatively.

  1. Can YES program ensure the student lives with a Muslim or a Pakistani family?

This cannot be demanded from Society for International Education (SIE) or from the placement organizations. The SIE Pakistan office does not interfere in the placement part of the program and it is entirely up to the placement organizations in the U.S.

  1. Are the students safe in the host families?

Yes, they are perfectly safe socially and physically, provided students follow the YES rules and abide by the family rules. You can read the general program policies and rules on the website www.yespk.org or Facebook page.



  1. Can the students practice their religion while on the exchange in the U.S.A.?

Yes, the YES students can practice their religion very easily. The U.S. families and schools cooperate in this regard. However you will have to politely explain them and seek cooperation without putting a lot of burden on them, e.g. do not expect your hosts to get up and prepare sehri for you, you will have to do it yourself.

  1. Can female students wear head scarf (Hijab) while in the U.S.A. and in the U.S.


Yes, all female students can wear their headscarves in schools, at the family and whenever or wherever they choose to wear. Students can also wear traditional Pakistani clothes to school and neighborhood if they want to.

  1. Can students get halal food?

Halal meat can be purchased from the halal meat shops in the community or ordered by mail. However no student can demand it from the host parents if the hosts cannot afford or do not want to spend extra money on halal food in addition to the regular grocery. Students can buy halal meat from their own stipend and should be willing to cook their meals from the halal meat as well or vegetable dishes.

In American homes most mothers are working. Expecting hosts to cook additional meals for you would be too much and impolite. Students need to be prepared to cook themselves any additional meals that they want to eat.


  1. Can students graduate from High School in the U.S.A.?

The program does not include high school diploma. The students will be enrolled in grades 10/11 in a US school. They will be given a mark sheets / transcripts for the subjects they study and other achievement certificates and letters.

  1. Do students miss a school year in Pakistan?

Depending on the school system a student comes from, this will vary. Students must discuss this with their own schools in Pakistan before applying for the program. If it is not possible to get admission in the next higher classes back in Pakistan, students must be prepared to loose one year of academic study of Pakistan but they need to look for possibilities.

This program has more cultural value and the development of valuable skills that will be an asset later in the social and academic life of a YES student.

  1. Can students stay back in the U.S.A.?

Staying back in the U.S.A. after the program end date is illegal and will be considered violation of rules.