We’re proud to announce one of our students, Wa’el, was named the YES program’s Student of the Month for June!  Hosted in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Wa’el has excelled academically, taking multiple AP courses. A world-class kickboxer in Jordan, he embraced new sports like cross country, wrestling, and rowing, earning multiple varsity letters. The YES program has profoundly impacted his life, as he has made significant community contributions, volunteering at the Cleveland Food Bank and Youth for Hunger and delivering cultural presentations about Jordan. He aims to start an English conversation center and a rowing team upon his return to Jordan, a testament to the program’s effectiveness in shaping students’ futures.

The U.S. Department of State’s YES program enables high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to live and study in the United States for an academic year. These students act as “youth ambassadors,” fostering mutual understanding and forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities. The program has a 3% acceptance rate, and applicants must meet specific requirements, including English proficiency, and maintain a B grade average with no failing grades.

For more details, read the full story here.