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Are you a U.S. citizen interested in an international Youth Ambassador exchange?
The U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program is a 3-week leadership exchange abroad for U.S. teenagers ages 15-17 and adult educators. The program provides full scholarships for 98 students and adult educators to take part in one of six exchange programs to countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Youth Ambassadors is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is administered by World Learning. Exchanges are implemented by World Learning, Amigos de las Americas and Georgetown University CIED.
Apply to the U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program for an opportunity to travel to one of the following exchange offerings in the summer of 2025. Country offerings are subject to change in consultation with the U.S. Department of State.
- Argentina – Spanish Immersion Program
- Belize – English Language Program
- Brazil – English Language Program
- Costa Rica – Spanish Immersion Program
- Ecuador – Spanish Immersion Program
2025 United States Youth Ambassadors Program Exchange Dates
- Argentina: July 20, 2025- August 6, 2025
- Belize: June 25, 2025- July 8, 2025
- Brazil: July 2, 2025- July 19, 2025
- Costa Rica: May 21, 2025- June 3, 2025
- Ecuador A: July 2, 2025- July 14, 2025
- Ecuador B: July 23, 2025- August 4, 2025
Program Themes
- Argentina: Multiculturalism & Civic Activism
- Belize: Youth Leadership & Environmental Stewardship
- Brazil: Social Impact and Entrepreneurship
- Costa Rica: Youth Leadership & Environmental Stewardship
- Ecuador A: Interculturalism & Global Citizenship
- Ecuador B: Interculturalism & Global Citizenship
Eligibility Requirements
All Youth Participants must:
- Be high school students between 15 and 17 years old (at the start of the exchange);
- Have at least one semester of school remaining after program participation;
- Be a U.S. citizen and resident;
- Demonstrate leadership aptitude and an interest in community service and in the program theme;
- Exhibit flexibility, maturity, integrity, good social skills, and open-mindedness;
- Have the motivation necessary to be active and successful exchange participants; and
- Have sufficient proficiency in the language of the exchange (English or Spanish) to participate fully in all exchange activities.
- Have parental/legal guardian permission.
- Be willing to complete a Community-Based Service Initiative in their U.S. community after the exchange.
All Adult Educator Participants must:
- Be teachers or community leaders who work with youth;
- Be U.S. citizens and residents;
- Demonstrate an interest in assisting youth to become productive and responsible members of society;
- Exhibit maturity and open-mindedness;
- Be supportive of the teenage participants;
- Have sufficient proficiency in the language of the exchange (English or Spanish) to participate fully in all exchange activities; and
- Be willing and able to meet periodically with selected program participants during the academic year, following the exchange, to support and monitor their follow-on work
U.S. Youth Ambassadors Application
The 2025 U.S. Youth Ambassadors Application is closed.
Please check back for 2026 U.S. Youth Ambassadors Application Information in fall 2025.
