DUSHANBE, November 30, 2013, Asia-Plus – Senior high school students from Tajikistan are invited to participate in an open competition for the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year, according to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe.

Selection will be based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application; teacher reference; and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience.  FLEX scholarship recipients must return to Tajikistan after their academic year.

In 2013-14, 51 students from Tajikistan are studying in the U.S. on the FLEX program.

The FLEX program was created by the United States Congress to extend a hand of friendship from the people of the United States of America to the people of the countries of Eurasia. It established the first large-scale, long-term exchange program for secondary school students to travel to the United States for a year.  FLEX is fully funded by the U.S. Government and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State.  Recruitment, selection, orientation, and travel arrangements for the program are organized by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.

Now in its twenty-second year, the FLEX academic year program has provided scholarships to more than 22,000 secondary school students.  In 2013-14, more than 800 students are studying in the U.S. on the FLEX program, including approximately 20 students with disabilities.  Each scholarship recipient will live for one year as a member of a U.S. host family and study in an American high school.

FLEX scholarships are awarded by an independent panel of American professionals in education and international relations.