The FLEX program is the first large-scale, long-term program to focus on secondary school stu-

dents. It has been selecting participants from Republic of

Moldova since 1993.

The program’s goal is to provide an opportunity for high

school students to experience life in a democratic society in

order to promote democratic values and institutions upon

their return home.

The FLEX Program gives students (ages 15-17) the chance

to live with a host family and attend a U.S. high school for a

year.

FLEX students live with host families, attend school,

engage in activities to learn about American society and

values and help educate Americans about their countries

and cultures. The program places special emphasis on

leadership skills and seeks ways for participants to de-

velop these skills during the school year.

FLEX students learn about the U.S. firsthand by par-

ticipating in family life, school study, and extracurricular

activities.

653 high school students from all over Moldova have

taken part in the FLEX program.

Currently, there are 32 students from Moldova on the

program.

The FLEX program is fully funded by the U.S. Depart-

ment of State and is administered by American Councils

for International Education in Moldova. Scholarship re-

cipients are provided with travel accommodations from

their home to the United States and back as well as a monthly allowance for living expenses.

Testing center locations are changed every year and are announced through press, radio and inter-

net announcements;

FACT SHEET

The selection process of the FLEX Contest consists of 3 Rounds.

Applicants may only participate in round i testing at ONE test center per year.

Round I - all applicants take a short English test.

Round II- consist of a longer English- language proficiency test

and an essay in English (round II, which usually occurs on the

day after round I).

Round III- Candidates who successfully completed the first two

rounds of the competition and are interviewed, write an essay in

English and receive final application materials to fill out.

For the Program are eligible all students who met the following

criteria:

are studying in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades at the moment of the

program launch;

have good academic standing;

are eligible to receive a U.S. visa;

have not lived in the United States for more than three months in the last

five years;

are citizens of Moldova;

have previously studied English or demonstrate English language abilities.

Recipients of FLEX scholarships are selected by an independent panel of

experienced educators in the United States on the basis of merit demon-

strated in the application materials. Merit is determined by evaluating the written application, rec-

ommendations, English language proficiency, and an applicant's demonstrated preparedness for a

yearlong exchange experience.

Students with disabilities are encouraged to participate

in the competition. FLEX program offers an equal op-

portunity to all participants and does not discriminate

on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, gender,

religion, or disability.

Students participating in the FLEX program must return

to their home country at the end of the program on

the date assigned by American Councils.

The U.S. visa issued for program participants will not be

amended or extended beyond the program end date for any reason.

Upon their return home, students will apply their leadership skills at home and become involved in a

well-established FLEX alumni network.