US exchange program for high school opened

Third year students from public high schools with high academic performance and leadership skills will now have the chance to study and live in the United States for a year for free through the American Field Service-Partners for Learning Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship Program and the Department of Education.

DepED's Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs executive officer Joey Pelaez said that the scholars' one-year schooling will not be credited to their studies.

The AFS program's rigid screening and selection process will ensure that only the best and the brightest young leaders are chosen for the program.

They are required to come back to finish fourth year in their respective schools so that they will initiate activities that will allow them to share their experience with their classmates.

All exchange students will live with host families and will be placed in grades 10 or 11 in US public high schools. They will learn about American society and values, and acquire leadership skills while sharing to their American classmates about Philippine customs and culture.

Other AFS program participants are Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, Ghana and Thailand.

The program, funded by the US State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, aims to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect between the US and countries around the world.

It caters to countries with significant Muslim populations. - Jasmin R. Uy/BRP