FLEX
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program is a US government-sponsored program for secondary school students from 10 of the republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia), including Georgia. The program provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a US high school for a full academic year, and live with a US host family.
FLEX was established in 1992 under the FREEDOM Support Act. Funding is provided by the US Department of State. The program was created from the conviction of former Senator Bill Bradley that the best way to ensure long lasting peace and understanding between the United States and the countries of Eurasia is to enable young people from these countries to learn about the U.S. and Americans firsthand. The primary goal of FLEX is improving mutual understanding between our countries and allowing young citizens of Eurasia to have the opportunity to observe and experience our system of government. Each year about 1,100 students from Eurasia and approximately 50 students from Georgia participate in FLEX program.
FLEX program has been very successful in Georgia which shows on the greatest in Eurasia turnout compared to the small size of the country while Tbilisi beats the record of competition participants number among all cities for the past several years. For almost two decades of administration of FLEX program in Georgia, American Councils for International Education has been reputed for conducting a fair competition and providing an opportunity to large numbers of students all over the country.
In 2011-2012 academic year 45 Georgian students were selected for a scholarship to live in an American family and study at a US high school.
Archive:
FLEX 2010-2011 participants.