flex exchange program essay

Student Exchange Program Essay: Examples, Topics, & Tips

It is not a secret that for every open slot at a prestigious college, there are from 10 to 15 eager applicants. They often seem equally qualified academically.

However, it is often the college application essay that sets one lucky applicant apart from the others. While writing is very personal, and styles can vary, the college application mistakes that students tend to make are common. So if you want to find out 10 college application mistakes to avoid, just read this article by Custom Writing experts!

Want to succeed? Just keep reading this article by Custom Writing experts!

• ✅ What to Include
• 👣 Writing Steps
• 💡 Essay Topics
• 👀 Essay Sample

🔗 References

✅ student exchange program essay: what to include.

The following information should be included in a good student exchange essay.

To make your essay really strong, try our hints for writing motivation essays and a personal essay .

👣 Student Exchange Program Essay: Writing Steps

Outshine the other applicants by writing an excellent student exchange essay that demonstrates your ability to think intelligently and express yourself in writing! The process of writing an impressive exchange application essay is not as complicated as you might think.

Here are the writing steps that will help you write a thoughtful, convincing, and concise exchange application essay.

💡 Student Exchange Program (FLEX) Essay Topics

• Many students have experiences, identity, or talent that define their character and life. Their application for FLEX would be incomplete without it. Please share your story if it sounds like you . You can find an exchange student essay on this topic below.
• Our success in studies, personal life , and career owes to the lessons learned through overcoming obstacles. Have you ever faced a failure, challenge, or setback that made you stronger and smarter? How did it affect you, and what conclusions did you make?
• Recall a hard problem you had to solve or the one you are still struggling with. For example, it can be a complicated assignment, an intellectual challenge, or an ethical dilemma. Why is it so critical to you? Which steps did you take or could take to find a solution?
• Reflect on a belief or idea that you felt was wrong. Why did you question it? What result did you reach in these thoughts?
• Our accomplishments and realizations spark a new understanding of life and personal growth . Tell about a similar event that changed the way you perceive yourself and others.
• Describe an idea or topic that is engaging enough to make you lose track of time. Why is it so captivating? What actions do you make to learn more in this field?

👀 Study Abroad Essay Sample

Every person has a talent. It takes a while to discover it, but life becomes similar to an engaging strategy game once you know your vocation. My parents never insisted on my selecting a path. I tried many hobbies and activities, but none of them lasted longer than a year.

Four years ago, I attended my first botany class. At that moment, I understood that it was something I would like to study deeper. So many plants surround us, and we are ignorant of their names and life cycles. This knowledge gives us an opportunity to understand our role on the planet and explore how we can help nature.

This year, I asked myself: what do I want to do in my future life? It didn’t take long to answer. I would like to become a pharmacologist and develop new medicines. But at the moment, I need to study hard. I expect that the study abroad program will allow me to learn more about American culture and make me more open-minded.

As an international student, I will have a chance to perfect my biology knowledge at an American school. I can tell a lot about trees, flowers, and grass, as well as the animals and birds that live in them. That is why I will always have a topic to discuss with my host family and peers. I am looking forward to meeting new people and experiences.

Your student exchange application essay can be the deciding factor for your selection and participation in the student exchange program. There is no doubt that your student exchange essay can be a good indicator of your personality. Make every effort to communicate your enthusiasm for studying abroad and let the student exchange program officials learn about your unique qualities. Also, don’t be shy to use every bit of help that you may require. For instance, try a summary helper if you struggle to finish up your writing properly, get someone to proofread your writing in case you’re not sure if it’s perfect, and so on.

Remember that studying abroad is a life-changing experience that will impact your college career. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future. Start your journey today with a strongly written and carefully proofread student exchange essay. We promise it will make a difference!

✏️ Student Exchange Essay FAQ

If you write an application for a scholarship, it is crucial that your study abroad essay tells about your personal motivation to participate in the exchange program. Otherwise, you may focus on the general pros and cons of the experience.

When you start a personal statement, keep in mind that it is the way admission committees get to know you. Make sure to provide relevant info about your goals , passions , examples of personal accomplishments , etc.

If it is a welcome letter to a foreign student, express how glad you are to meet them. You may give some advice on how to adapt to the new environment, share your thoughts about the exchange program, and ask about the student’s feelings and impressions .

Some advantages of becoming a foreign exchange student are: broadening your horizons , getting off your comfort zone, making new friends, practicing foreign languages (if applicable), gaining new skills/knowledge. Overall, it is an excellent opportunity to experience something new and valuable.

• 25 Reasons to Study Abroad | Top Universities
• Exchange Programs | U.S. Department of State
• EU students | European Commission
• Student Exchange Programs | EF Foreign Exchange
• International Student Exchange Programs
• 8 Student Exchange Programs for Teens | GoAbroad.com
• How to apply – International Exchange and Study Abroad
• Share to Facebook
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

The contest is now closed. Please check Contest Results page to read the essay of the best paper writer. Custom Writing team has selected 15 best works among the submissions, and we gladly invite our blog readers to help us determine three most talented writers amid contest participants.

Writing an internship essay is a challenging task that plenty of people have to endure. It is essential for gaining useful experience and learning the ins and outs of a given industry. You have probably heard about the “Why do you want this internship?” essay. However, it’s not the only...

CChoosing majors in college is a challenge for any student. If you’re reading this, we’re guessing you understand the seriousness and consequences of this decision. Custom-writing experts have compiled the following list of top 10 easiest and hardest college majors throughout the country. Check out our list of college degrees...

Do you think 8 a.m. classes are the worst college rule educators could think of? Then keep reading this article by Custom Writing experts! Check the weirdest rules of the strictest colleges in the US & around the globe. As you’ll see, a university doesn’t have to be super religious...

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,” states a famous saying by Paulo Coelho. Now you probably want a scholarship, don’t you? If not the whole universe, at least the Internet helps you achieve this goal, by providing these three amazing scholarship essay...

One of the biggest decisions students make when attending college, university, or graduate school is whether to live off-campus in an apartment or whether to live in a dorm room. For those who have the option, though, there are many considerations that can help determine whether apartment living or dorm...

A scholarship essay is one of the most important essays you might have written in your life! No wonder your own budget depends on how successful it is! But we are not here to make you even more worried about this task. This article by Custom-Writing experts can help you...

Unfortunately, not everyone striving for education can afford it. Some courses are so expensive that even well-to-do citizens need financial assistance. They can write a scholarship application letter or refuse the undertaking. In such a case, students are supposed to submit a financial need essay.   Funding authorities cannot assist...

About 40 million people worldwide are now digital nomads, representing 1.18% of the 3.4 billion people employed, and the trend is on the rise. Out of 131.8 million employees in the US, there are 17.3 million digital nomads, making up 13.13%. Surprisingly, 40% of them are over 40 years old,...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and criticism, constantly feeling as though you’re not good enough? Since social rejection poses a genuine threat to our existence, our self-criticism steps in to protect us by shaming us before others can. It makes us feel inadequate to...

Have you ever struggled to remember the lecture you’ve just listened to while effortlessly recalling a catchy song from your childhood? Ever wonder why is it so? The information processing theory offers a glimpse into these processes. By delving into it, you can grasp how our brains tackle information and...

Disclaimer: Since we are true proponents of experiential learning, our introduction starts with an example, and the theory will come later. Pretty much everyone likes a chamomile plant. If you are one of the few who don’t, feel free to think of any other plant while you consider these two...

Really valid and sensible . Great work. I hope it will help alot

Thank you very much, I also wanted to participate in flex program, but I didn’t understand much about Essay and I understood a lot after seeing this sample

Hello, I am from Uzbekistan. I want to participate in the student exchange program in the USA. How is this test administered? Online or face-to-face and where? And what knowledge should be acquired to participate in the program

This was an useful blog for our institute

How long should a exchange essay be?

Your essay should be up to one page in length if not otherwise required by your professor

Hello. Please help me with my essay. I can not pay. Can you send me some sample essays, please?

It is very helpful thanks.

Good techniques

U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan

Social / search, future leaders exchange program (flex).

The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) is a cultural exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered in the Republic of Uzbekistan by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (American Councils) and supported by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The program provides students from across Uzbekistan with the opportunity to study in a U.S. high school and live in an American host family for one academic year.

Applicants can participate in the recruitment process from any location with Internet access, using either a mobile device or a computer. FLEX recruitment includes three rounds of rigorous testing:

• Round 1 : Open to eligible applicants until September 26, 2024 . This round includes a preliminary online application and three essay questions that must be submitted within 10 days of starting the application.
• Round 2 : Students will be invited to take part in an online English test.
• Round 3 : This semi-finalist round will begin in October and include an interview, in-class essays, the full application, and a comprehensive English test.

FLEX competition is open to all students who meet the basic eligibility requirements established for their home countries.

The FLEX scholarship competition is merit-based and open, at no cost, to applicants who meet the requirements listed below. Students with disabilities are encouraged to participate in the competition. Students may only apply once to the program during a given recruitment cycle.

Eligibility requirements for the 2025-2026 program

Those wishing to apply to the program must:

• Be a citizen of Uzbekistan and able to receive an international passport in Uzbekistan
• Be born between July 15, 2008 – July 15, 2010
• Be enrolled in a secondary school, 9 th ,10 th , or 1 st lyceum or college at the time of application
• Have an academic standing of good or better
• Have previously studied English and demonstrate English language ability at the time of registration
• Meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements

To apply, please visit:  https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex

Application deadline: September 26, 2024

For more information, please contact American Councils for International Education at  [email protected] , +998-78-150-7150, or on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Telegram

Discover FLEX, Discover the World!  

Footer Disclaimer This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Embassy in Georgia

Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX)

Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) allows Georgian secondary school students to study at an American high school and live with an American host family. The FLEX program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State and is administered by American Councils for International Education in Georgia .

The program will offer scholarships to secondary school students from Georgia for the 2025-2026 academic years. Scholarship recipients will be provided with a round-trip ticket from their home to the United States and back as well as a monthly allowance for living expenses. While in the U.S., Georgian students will have the opportunity to share Georgian culture . They will learn about the United States firsthand by participating in family life, school study, and extracurricular activities.

Recipients of FLEX scholarships are selected by an independent panel of experienced educators in the United States based on merit demonstrated in the application materials. Merit is determined by evaluating the online application , recommendations , English language proficiency , and an applicant’s demonstrated preparedness for a yearlong exchange experience.

You can apply until 26 September, 2024 but you will only have 10 days to fill out and submit the application form from when you start the process.

Link: https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex

• Students need to be born between January 1, 2008 – July 15, 2010 .
• Students must be in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades .
• Students are citizens of Georgia .
• Have not lived in the United States for more than three months in the last five years.
• Are eligible to receive a U.S. visa .
• Students must fill out the application form from the country of which they are citizens.

Criteria for the students with disabilities :

• Students must be born between February 15, 2007 – July 15, 2010 .
• Students must be in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade .

The latest Department of State travel updates and guidance on travel.state.gov .

What resources are available?

• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enroll Now
• Looking for the nearest embassy or consulate? Visit the official list of embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions from the U.S. Department of State. Find the nearest Embassy or Consulate
• Coronavirus.gov A portal for public information that is curated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force at the White House, working in conjunction with CDC, HHS and other agency stakeholders. Visit Coronavirus.gov .

Have an emergency?

• Contact your nearest embassy or call 1-888-407-4747 (U.S./Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (overseas)
• Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate
• Enroll for Alerts

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) landing page on CDC.gov is the latest public health and safety information from CDC and for the overarching medical and health provider community on COVID-19. Visit CDC Covid-19 Page

Visit the official list of embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions from the U.S. Department of State.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.     Enroll Now

Use up to three keywords instead of using a full sentence for the best search results.

product warranty

free shipping offer

Would you help us improve our website

Note: This feature is strictly for feedback about your experience using the website. All other questions and feedback will be disregarded. Thank you for your understanding. You are visiting a website that just underwent a redesign. Please take a few moments to provide us with your valuable feedback.

Note: This feature is strictly for feedback about your experience using the website.

Please take a few moments to provide us with your valuable feedback. Note: This feature is strictly for feedback about your experience using the website. All other questions and feedback will be disregarded.

{{ error }}

* Please see our Contact Us page for more information on how to reach us.

Thank you for sharing your feedback!

Please call: (995 32) 227-7000

Outside of Office Hours, contact: 032 227-7000

Outside of Georgia: (995-32) 227-7000

July 22, 2022

What is FLEX exchange program and how to apply for it

zuzochka from Azerbaijan 🇦🇿

Application process

The first step to success, the second step to success.

FLEX stands for the “Future leaders exchange” program which is held by the US Department of State. It gives an opportunity for students overseas to introduce their country to Americans and gain an understanding of US values, traditions, and America as a whole. Some of the main goals of this program are:

Gaining knowledge

Interacting and making long-term relationships

Sharing information

This is a great opportunity for every student as the experience you get is absolutely grandiose. For sure, it may sound terrifying at first, because the United States may be located very far from your home and you are going to be away from your friends and family for a year; but, hey, look at this from another perspective: you are going to have lifelong friends from another continent and a new family, you are going to be an ambassador of your country, you will have a chance to tell them about your traditions, your food, traditional clothing, your favorite holiday, your favorite dance or your favorite music. So my advice is just to give it a try: you do not lose anything by applying, but you could open a whole new chapter in your life!

The website I was applying with is discoverflex.org . You can also simply search in Google “Apply to FLEX” and I am pretty sure the first link is going to be the right one. If you are unable to find the right source, you can seek help from other FLEXers, or ask me for help in the comments, I am more than happy to assist you☺️. I also want to add that the application starts in September and closes in the fall, so be sure that you have time until the deadline.

The first step is straightforward because you get to have a whole week to complete your application. You will be asked to write three essays regarding you and your past experience. In these essays, you should include an example of when you were able to adapt to a new environment , creatively solve a problem , and be flexible . It does not require any academic writing, and remember that your essay needs to convey your personality. Be careful and cautious. Do not include any abusive or violent sentences; it may deter you from passing the first stage.

If you managed to pass the first step, that is great, however, a long way awaits you. It may be different from country to country or from time to time, but when I was filling out my form, the procedure went as follows: I received a call and was told that I passed the first round. Later that day I received an email letting me know of further steps. I had to fill in information about myself, and my health records. I must say that this is probably the hardest part of all steps because there are literally hundreds of documents you need to submit, but that is the cost I was ready to pay and you should too! The only thing that mattered was passing the second stage.

You are also required to write three essays, but this time you are monitored and have an hour to write them. It’s worth noting that everything was done online and it may differ in the future.

Then, there is one last thing left: an interview. In the interview, you will be asked questions about how you could solve a particular problem you may encounter within your host community.

Once you pass all the steps and receive a call from American Councils, consider yourself a very successful person, because only a small percentage of all applicants manage to be a finalist in this program. Yet there is one more thing you need to do: PDO (Pre-Departure Orientation). You should not stress because it is the simplest step and all you need to do is pass an exam for which you will be preparing for a month on your own and with the help of FLEX staff for two days.

I wish you all good luck and I hope you will succeed in this journey. Remember, there are no losers here.

For more information, you can leave a comment or contact me on Instagram: @mz_zahrashka

Are you ready to Study Abroad at your dream university? Make your College Application a success with Admissions Guidance

Duration of Study

Aug 2022 — May 2023

Exchange Student

2 years ago

Hello! It was very interesting to read about your experience! This year I'm also applying to FLEX. Could you share some tips on essays? Like what mistakes applicants should avoid or what they should focus on more. Thanks!!)

Hii) I am glad that you appreciate it. Yeah sure! So basically you should write something about that differs you from others. FLEX essay topics are always pretty similar. They ask you whether you have been away from your family for a long time and what you liked and disliked. Simply, you need to make them believe that you will be able to “survive” in the USA. Use words such as adaptable, flexible and a leader:) I hope you win this program and if you’re interested feel free to find me on Instagram. Insta: mz_zahrashka. 💘

Hey! Thank you for sharing with us your experience applying for the program, it is very helpful! However, I would like to know one thing- Are there any websites that can help me prepare for the three rounds of testing? I want to apply this September and I want to find out more about the testing part, such as the topics for the essays 😊

Congratulations for this huge achievement! Hopefully, next spring I will be selected for the program 🥲

Hello. How can I write a motivational essay for Flex

Get the Reddit app

A space dedicated to future, current, and past exchange students for sharing tips and experiences.

FLEX interview and tips

Hello! I got to the semifinal of FLEX program, now I'll have to do an interview and write some essays. Do you guys have any tips on how to success? Thank you in advance

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

U.S. Embassy in Lithuania

Social / search – en.

• Fulbright Program
• Humphrey Program
• Baltic-American Freedom Foundation
• SUSI for Secondary School Educators
• SUSI for Scholars
• SUSI For Student Leaders
• Benjamin Franklin Fellowship
• Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) Program

The Embassy of the United States in Lithuania and American Councils for International Education are pleased to invite students to participate in the FLEX program.  This exchange program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and seeks to bring bright and talented Lithuanian high school students to live with an American host family and study in an American high school for the 2025-26 academic year.   Application deadline: 10/10/2024

What is the FLEX program?

The FLEX program was created by the United States Congress in 1992. It established a year-long, fully funded exchange program for secondary school students to travel to the United States for a year. The goal of the program is to promote mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and countries in the region, as students learn more about the U.S. and teach Americans about their countries. Each scholarship recipient will live for one year as a member of a U.S. host family and study in an American high school.

Secondary school students with disabilities are invited to participate in the competition. The participation requirements are expanded for students with disabilities. Please contact  [email protected]  to learn more.

  Application deadline: 10/10/2024

  Who is eligible to apply to the program?

The competition is open to all students who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• have Lithuanian citizenship
• are born between 15 July 2006 and 15 July 2009
• are currently enrolled in grade 9 or 10 of a Lithuanian high school
• study English in secondary school
• meet the requirements for receiving a U.S. visa and have not spent more than 3 months of the last five years in the U.S.

  What does the scholarship provide?

The FLEX scholarship provides the following:

• Round-trip domestic and international travel (from home to the United States and back)
• Monthly allowance to help students participate in social activities and buy necessary personal supplies
• Placement with a selected and screened U.S. host family for one year
• Enrollment in a U.S. secondary school
• Program orientation activities including pre-program preparation and re-entry preparation
• Program activities arranged in local U.S. communities
• Medical insurance, excluding pre-existing conditions and dental care

What is NOT provided?

The FLEX scholarship does NOT cover the following costs:

• Any costs associated with receiving an international passport
• Personal expenses not covered by the monthly stipend
• Excess baggage costs
• International telephone calls or internet use costs

The first round of testing is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria above and will take place before October 10, 2024. It includes a preliminary online application and three essay questions which must be submitted within 10 days of starting the application. After submitting the preliminary application, selected students will be invited to take part in Round 2, which consists of an online English test.

Eligible applicants can apply here:  https://discoverflex.org/apply .

  What happens after the online application completion?

Students compete in several rounds of online competition. At the semi-finalist stage, students and their parents are invited to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the program. Students then take part in an individual interview with American Councils staff, take a standardized test of English, write proctored essays, and receive the official program application, which is due to American Councils within ten days.

Selection will be based on merit and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience as evidenced in students’ applications. English-language proficiency is important, but not the sole element in selection. Students also will be required to provide medical evaluations and be certified as medically fit to participate in the program.

The selection process will be completed in spring, and all applicants will receive notification of their status by mid-May. Selected finalists will attend a pre-departure orientation in their home country in June-July and travel to the U.S. in July-August. Students return home the following May-June. FLEX students 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.

  Who organizes the program?

American Councils for International Education organizes recruitment, selection, orientation, and travel arrangements for the FLEX program. Founded in 1974, American Councils is an international non-profit organization working to improve mutual understanding between countries, exchange ideas among individuals, and enhance collaboration through education. For almost 50 years, American Councils has been designing, implementing, and supporting innovative programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa for tens of thousands of participants. These include several U.S. government programs for secondary school students (besides FLEX), university and graduate students, teachers, and professors. Many other private, non-profit organizations in the United States also support the FLEX program. The U.S. government has asked these organizations to place FLEX participants in supportive U.S. host families and to organize local activities during the year-long program.

Where can I get more information?

Online:  http://discoverflex.org ; https://lithuania.americancouncils.org/flex-en E-Mail:  [email protected] Facebook:  www.facebook.com/flexlithuania Phone: +370 677 20 092

Footer Disclaimer This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Exchange Student Tips

Information and Advice for Foreign Exchange Students

Student Exchange Application: 9 Powerful (and Easy!) Steps to a Great Application

Here’s the thing:

Finding an exchange student program  and choosing a host country are easy.

Actually getting onto the program you want, and being selected to go to your first-choice country, is very hard.

In a word, the problem is  competition .

When you apply to be a foreign exchange student, you’ll be competing against high achievers – well-rounded, good citizen-type students, who are highly motivated, above average academically and with great credentials.

They may be current school captains or class presidents, or captains of the school debate team.

They may even be former exchange students, or already fluent in the language of the country they want to exchange to.

From the perspective of a student exchange program, those are all big pluses.

How do you beat those guys?

Don’t fear. I have nine simple yet extremely powerful tips which are going to help you write a student exchange application that will blow them all away.

1. Make your written student exchange application irresistible by focussing on personal characteristics that the exchange program is looking for

Most people trip up because they treat their written student exchange application as an opportunity to write a long essay about themselves.

They write about their interests and skills and hopes as an exchange student.

What should they really be doing?

Focussing on the exchange program and the kinds of students the program wants to send overseas.  

Think about it.

In the mind of the person reading your application, your goals or hobbies or expectations are secondary considerations.

What that person really wants to know is whether you have the personal qualities that the exchange program thinks are important for exchange students to have.

So, when you’re writing your application, you need to keep those desirable personal qualities front and centre.

Now, here’s some good news:

Exchange organisations usually tell you the very qualities they are looking for, in very explicit terms, on their websites.

For example, the AFS Australia website states as follows:

The AFS website actually tells you very directly that AFS is looking for people who are flexible, self-confident and able to mix well with others.

If you were applying for an exchange with AFS, you’d know exactly what personal qualities to focus on in your written application, wouldn’t you?

You’d give them what they wanted and talk about how you possess all of those qualities, thereby demonstrating that you are exactly the kind of person AFS likes to send overseas, and a better candidate than your competitors.

In a similar vein, the global website for Rotary youth exchange states the following:

Again, it’s virtually laid out on a platter:

Anyone interested in applying for a student exchange with Rotary needs to demonstrate through his or her written application that he or she is:

• open to different cultures, and
• able to serve as an ambassador

Before you start writing your application, be sure to find out the kind of student your exchange program is aiming to recruit, and make sure that your application demonstrates that you meet that profile.

2. Start your answers with strong, positive statements which send the message that you meet the exchange program’s requirements exactly

In high school, you’ve probably learned that the correct way to format every paragraph in an essay is to:

• Start the paragraph with a firm statement or proposition , and then
• Provide relevant evidence or other detail which supports that statement or proposition

The same rule applies with your student exchange application.

You need to start each answer with a strong, positive statement which directly addresses the question you’ve been asked and leaves no doubt that you meet each criterion set by the exchange program.

For example, your application might have the following question:

Exchange students constantly encounter new people and situations and need to be flexible and open to change. Describe a situation in which you displayed flexibility and a willingness to change.

A good way to start your answer to that question would be as follows:

I am a flexible person who has displayed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

Why is that sentence so powerful?

Because it borrows key language from the question – the words “flexible”, “willingness” and “change” –  and therefore addresses the question directly.

It’s also a strong statement because it starts using the very strong statement “I am” – rather than “I consider myself” or “I aim to be” or some other weaker formulation.

In other words,  that sentence sends the message that you are exactly the person the program is looking for .

Make sure that you begin your answer to each question on your application form with a sentence that:

• includes words and phrases from the question, and
• uses strong and definitive “I am” language

3. Supercharge your opening statements using the most persuasive word in the English language

Here’s how to go one better and make the opening statements in your student exchange application virtually unstoppable:

Work the word “because” into each of your statements.

In his best-selling book Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion , Dr Robert Cialdini identifies the word “because” as the most persuasive word known to man. For some reason, people are very easily persuaded by sentences and questions containing the word “because”.

What does this mean for you?

You need to capture the strong, almost hypnotic power of the word “because” and put it to work in your application.

Specifically, try to  work the word “because” into each of your strong statements in order to make the reasons and statements that follow seem more convincing .

So, the introductory words we looked at earlier would change from:

I am a flexible person because I have displayed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances

It’s just a small linguistic change, but one which should have a big impact on the effectiveness of your application.

4. Make your application the best of the bunch by supporting your statements with facts, and only facts

Now, let me help you avoid making a big mistake.

Once you’ve made your bold statement to begin each answer in your student exchange application, you need hard evidence to back it up.

There are several kinds of evidence you could use to support the statements you make in your application, such as:

• Facts – for example, “I have studied German for five years” or “I am the editor of my high school’s yearbook”
• Intentions – for example, “I plan to take an intensive German course this spring” or “I will be volunteering at a Camp Kesem camp this summer”
• Interests – for example, “I have always been interested in German history” or “I am passionate about European politics”
• Opinions – for example, “German would be a very useful language for me to learn” and “I believe that I would make a good host daughter”

The strongest of those options by an absolute mile is facts .

In fact, if you want to knock your competitors out of the ballpark, you should only use facts to back up the statements in your application.

Why are facts so powerful?

Because they are indisputable and verifiable.

In other words, they are evidence of what you have done . That is far more valuable and credible than evidence about things you would like to do or are planning to do.

Furthermore, if you only use facts in your application, you won’t sound like you’re bragging or big-noting yourself. All you’re doing is talking about factual events that have already happened.

I almost guarantee that your competitors will be using all the other, weaker types of evidence, and submitting far weaker applications as a result.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Stay gold, and stick to the facts.

5. Gather your ammunition

Here’s a useful exercise you can use to maximise the number of strong, convincing facts in your student exchange application.

Before you even start writing your application, sit down with a blank piece of paper.

Spend half an hour writing down every single positive fact you can think of which may be relevant to your exchange application, including:

• leadership positions you’ve held
• academic successes you’ve had (for example, a high GPA or any academic awards)
• evidence that you are a good citizen (such as previous volunteer work, participation in things like scouts, and even regular blood donations)
• prior relevant experience such as previous short-stay exchanges
• any language experience – not necessarily in the language of the country you’d like to exchange to
• anything showing your adaptability
• anything demonstrating your coolness under pressure

Don’t stop writing until you’ve filled up the whole page, then go away for 24 hours.

The next day, sit down with your list and add anything else you’ve thought about in the meantime.

You want to capture absolutely any and every positive fact about yourself.

Then, when you sit down to write your application, you’ll have a ready-made stash of hard, factual evidence you can use to support your strong statements.

Then, you can move on to step 6.

6. Make sure you finish on top by playing your trump card

So, by now you have some very strong and positive statements written, and a mountain of factual evidence to support those statements.

Here’s how to seal the deal.

You need a trump card – something you’ve done which no-one else has, which makes you stand out and tells the exchange program that you are willing to go further than your competitors.

Even if everyone else is giving 100% effort, your trump card will push you to 110%. And I virtually guarantee that an exchange program will choose 110% over 100% any day of the week.

Let me show you exactly what I mean.

Case study: how I got beaten fair and square by a trump card

When I applied to go on exchange, my first choice country was Germany .

Germany is always a popular exchange destination because so many people learn German at school.

However, I thought I was in with a good chance for the following reasons:

• I was the current vice-captain (vice president) of my high school, which was one of the best schools in the region
• I was on the school debate team, editor of the school yearbook, and had a stack of other leadership and community service credentials
• I had a strong academic record, which included five years of studying German

My written application was very strong, and I thought I had a great interview with representatives from the exchange program.

I thought I had Germany in the bag.

Then, I got trumped: I got my second choice country, Switzerland, and a girl called Jessica was chosen to go on exchange to Germany.

(Switzerland turned out great, by the way, but that’s another story).

What did Jessica do that gave her the edge over me?

Like me, she was well-credentialed, had good academics and had previously studied German.

Like me, she evidently also had a strong application and made a good impression at her interview.

Unlike me, however, Jessica had undertaken an unpaid internship at her city’s German chamber of commerce and gotten a letter of recommendation from the head of the chamber. She forwarded that letter along with her application.

That was an extremely smart and strong trump card, which sent the message that Jessica was super-serious about going to Germany. It was enough to push her in front of me and everyone else wanting to go to Germany.

Jessica thought outside the box and was rewarded with her first choice of country to exchange to.

Now let me tell you how to get your own trump card.

Four trump card ideas

Jessica’s trump card idea of working at her local German chamber of commerce was a good one, because it demonstrated how committed she was to exchanging to Germany.

If you have a few months before your application is due, you can try to arrange something similar, depending upon the organisations and groups located in your area.

For example, where we live, there is:

• a nursing home for elderly  Italian people
• a chapter of the American-Australian association
• a twin cities association managing the relationship with our twin city Versailles, in France,  and
• a German language library and resources centre which is staffed by volunteers

Some unpaid volunteer work at any of those institutions would combine charity work and a country-specific trump card that would be hard for any exchange organisation to resist.

Think about similar opportunities which exist in your city or region, and turn one into a great trump card.

Short-notice trump card

You might have a problem:

Internships and volunteer work take time to organise and undertake.

What can you do if you’re in the throes of writing your application and need a trump card within the next week or two?

Here’s a quickly actionable trump card idea that you can deploy if you’re short of time (or no other suitable trump cards seem to be available in your area):

Get a letter of recommendation from your local mayor or congressman

Politicians are nearly always big on diplomacy and promoting the region they represent.

They also love it when one of their constituents receives an award or recognition of some kind, because it reflects well on them.

Here’s how to use these traits to your advantage:

Try making an appointment with your local mayor or congressman.

Explain that you are applying for an exchange program and spend half an hour outlining some of your credentials to him or her.

Then, very politely ask him or her for a letter of recommendation, on official letterhead.

In exchange, offer to make yourself available for a photo opportunity if you are chosen to go on exchange, and be sure to keep that promise if you are successful.

His or her answer will nearly certainly be “yes”.

A letter of recommendation from a recognised political figure can open a surprising number of doors.

The exchange program may figure that if you’ve met and made a good impression on your congressman or mayor, you’ll make a good impression on people that you’ll meet overseas.

7. For maximum impact, put your strongest evidence first

Here’s a strange little fact:

The average adult now has an attention span of only 8.25 seconds .

Furthermore, according to a study cited by Forbes magazine, the average adult reads at a speed of about 300 words per minute .

T he person reading your student exchange application will probably only focus on the first 40-45 words of each answer you give before starting to lose focus .

That, in turn, means that you need to do two things:

First, use your strongest evidence first . Once you’ve made your strong statement for each answer, follow up with the strongest fact or evidence you have to support that statement. Because you’ve only got one or two sentences before your audience starts to lose attention, you need to fill those first few sentences with your best stuff.

Second, keep your sentences short . From a readability perspective, it’s already good practice to keep your sentences to a length of around 20 words each. Keeping your sentences short and to the point – and not filling them with unnecessary things like adjectives – will also help you to maximise the amount of information you get across in your application before the person reading it loses concentration.

8. Use these three tools to make your student exchange application a pleasure to read

The person reading your student exchange application may have dozens of written applications to read.

How do you make yours stand out?

You may be surprised to hear that one of the easiest ways to make a good impression through your application is to make it easy to read.

Here are three tools that will make your application an easy and pleasurable read:

Tool 1: Short sentences

By all means, use as many facts to support your application as you feel are relevant.

But, be sure to keep your sentences short when describing those facts.

The reason for doing this is simple:

Long sentences are tiring for a reader and can result in your core messages getting lost.

Make sure you don’t bury your high-quality content under lots of unnecessary verbiage.

• minimise your use of colons and semi-colons
• don’t use connecting words like “which” and “that” unless you absolutely have to
• aim for one sentence per idea or example you wish to make, and
• try to keep your sentences shorter than 20 words, and no longer than 30 words

Tool 2: A font which is easy and pleasant to read

If your student exchange application is typed rather than hand-written, and you can control the font, make it more readable by applying the following font rules.

Use at least 13-point font , and preferably 14-point . The default on many word processors is 12-point which is too low and can cause eye fatigue.

Use 1.5 point line spacing , to increase the gap between lines and make them easier and more pleasant to read.

Use a plain, no-nonsense typeface like Times New Roman or Arial , which won’t distract or annoy the person reading your application, and let them focus on your content.

Tool 3: Use the active voice, and minimise the passive voice

Write as much of your student exchange application in the active voice as possible, and avoid writing in the passive voice.

What’s the difference?

A sentence written in the passive voice has no subject – that is, no person doing the verb.

For example, the following sentence is in the passive voice:

I was voted class president last year.

Now here’s the same sentence in the active voice:

My classmates voted me class president last year.

In the first sentence, it isn’t immediately apparent who voted for the narrator to be class president. The second – active voice – sentence contains the subject “my classmates”, which makes this clear.

You need to avoid writing in the passive voice, and write your entire student exchange application in the active voice instead, because:

• Readers tire when they have to read a lot of sentences written in the passive voice
• The person reading your application may recognise your use of the passive voice – particularly if they are older than about 45, or have a lot of experience with linguistics or learning languages – and mark you down for writing incorrectly
• The active voice helps to minimise any ambiguity

If you already have great content, applying these three tools will help your application make an even more positive impression and increase your chances of success.

9. Make your student exchange application twice as strong by getting not one, but TWO experts to read it

This may be the most important tip on this page:

Once your exchange program application is written, you need to ask two very specific people to proof-read and evaluate it for you.

“But wait,” you say. “I’ve already lined up my mom/dad/best friend to read my application and make suggestions”.

Unfortunately, that won’t work. Here’s why:

• your family and friends are unlikely to give you honest feedback – that is, they will tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear, in order to spare your feelings
• they won’t necessarily have any insight into what the exchange program will be looking for , and
• they are unlikely to have the technical expertise to make your answers read well

Here’s a better idea:

Get two people with specific, relevant experience and skills to review and make comments on your application.

Expert 1 – A trusted teacher at your school

First of all, you need to ask a teacher at your school who you know well and are friendly with to take a look at your student exchange application.

Why a teacher?

Firstly, because teachers spend a good part of each day evaluating work that their students have written. They are practised at reviewing documents and providing honest but constructive feedback.

In other words, the teacher you ask will most likely give you genuine, actionable tips on how to improve your application.

The second reason is that the teacher will know you and be familiar with your personality, and may be able to suggest additional information that will enhance the content of your application.

The final reason is that teachers generally have a practised eye for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and the like. Your teacher should be able to ensure that your application contains no errors which will detract from the effectiveness of the content.

Expert 2 – A former exchange student

The second person you need to show your student exchange application to is a former exchange student at your school who you know and are friendly with.

It doesn’t matter which exchange student program he or she travelled with, or which country he or she went to.

The reason for asking this person to look at your application is simple:

He or she will know what it takes to be a successful exchange student, and should be able to offer advice on the contents of your application which will make it more appealing to the exchange organisation.

The student should also be able to coach and advise you on the application process generally, including the application interview, which I’ll also deal with in my next post.

If you have any further tips or questions about filling out an exchange program application, you can leave them in the comments below.

Related Posts

Please share

U.S. Embassy in Mongolia

Social / search, what is the future leaders exchange (flex) program.

Established in 1992, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program enables high school students from Europe and Eurasia to spend an academic year in the United States, living with a family and attending an American high school. The program was created from the conviction of former Senator Bill Bradley to ensure long-lasting peace and understanding between the U.S. and its partner countries. Since the program’s inception, over 30,000 students have participated in the FLEX program.

FLEX is a highly competitive, merit-based scholarship program where over 35,000 students compete annually in multiple rounds of testing. Successfully selected students gain leadership skills, learn about American society and values, and teach Americans about their home countries and cultures. FLEX students perform community service in their U.S. communities and act as ambassadors of their home countries. Many are inspired by this spirit of volunteerism to develop and implement innovative projects in their home countries, using the skills and ideas they gained while on program. FLEX students are naturally curious and enthusiastic citizens of the world.

In 2017, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mongolia, FLEX Program was launched in Mongolia enabling 20 Mongolian students to participate in the program every year.

Program Implementing Organization: American Councils Mongolia Facebook: FLEXMongolia Email: [email protected] Phone: +976 9313 0647

Program Components

FLEX is a unique opportunity for secondary school students from Europe and Eurasia, including students with a disability, to spend one academic year in the U.S., living with a volunteer host family and attending a U.S. high school.

First and foremost, the FLEX is an academic exchange program.  The program participants attend an American high school, where the students not only study from a wide range of classes and electives but also take part in various extracurricular activities such as sports and arts programs and clubs.

The program offers students an opportunity to learn about the people and culture of the United States.  FLEX participants are also young ambassadors who teach Americans about the people and culture of their countries.  Students gain an appreciation for and develop sensitivity to other cultures, experience personal growth and independence, and become better prepared for an increasingly interdependent world.  They form strong ties with their American host families and U.S. communities, building relationships that often last a lifetime. Many students also remark that they became more mature, independent, and focused thanks to their year abroad and that they gained important life skills.

Many program alumni attend prestigious universities upon their return home, and later find exciting jobs that use skills learned during their stay in the United States.

Expenses Covered

FLEX is a full scholarship, and the scholarship covers:

• Round-trip domestic and international travel (from home to the United States and back)
• Monthly allowance to help students participate in social activities and buy necessary personal items
• Placement with a selected and screened U.S. host family for one year
• Enrollment in a U.S. secondary school
• Program orientation activities including pre-program preparation and re-entry preparation
• Program activities arranged in local U.S. communities
• Medical insurance, excluding pre-existing conditions and dental care.

The scholarship does NOT cover the following costs:

• Any costs associated with receiving an international passport
• Personal expenses not covered by the monthly stipend
• Excess baggage costs, phone bills, or internet use.

Eligibility

To qualify for the FLEX Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Mongolian citizen, eligible to get a Mongolian passport and currently living in Mongolia
• Are currently enrolled in grade 9, 10, or 11
• Are born between January 1, 2007 and July 15, 2009
• Be proficient in English
• Have good academic standing (with 80% or higher cumulative average)
• Meet the requirements for receiving a U.S. visa
• Have not spent more than 3 months of the last five years in the U.S.

Note: Students with disabilities born between January 1, 2006 and July 15, 2009 will be eligible to apply.

How to Apply

To apply for the FLEX program, prospective applicants are required to follow the steps below:

• Register online: https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex
• Complete and submit the online tests within stated deadline.

Please direct all inquiries to [email protected] .

Selection Process

All U.S. Government scholarship programs are merit-based. Although we take into account special circumstances of candidates such as disability, disadvantaged background, or any other notable characteristics, the final decision is made based on the candidate’s overall strength as represented by the application quality and interview.  We also consider one’s ability to be a cultural ambassador and his/her ability and motivation to give back to the community.

Following are the main selection steps:

• Interested students compete in several rounds of online competition. The first round of the competition opens in early August and all interested applicants who meet the eligibility criteria above can participate.  It includes a preliminary online application and short English language tests that must be completed and submitted within 10 days of starting the application.
• Students successfully passed the first round of the competition will be invited to take part in the second round within 24 hours upon completion.  The second round of the competition also consists of short English language tests.
• And the third and last round of the selection competition consists of an individual interview with the program staff, take a standardized test of English, write proctored essays, and receive the official program application.

Selection is not only based on merit but also demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience as evidenced in students’ applications.  English-language proficiency is important, but not the sole element in selection.  Students also will be required to provide medical evaluations and be certified as medically fit to participate in the program.

General Timeline

August-December: Program is announced and Round 1 and 2 of the selection process takes place

April-June: All applicants will be notified of their application results via email

June- August: Pre-departure orientation is held, and grantees depart to the United States

Footer Disclaimer This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Future Leaders Exchange Program

Still have questions.