PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Embassy Gives Nigeria’s YES Participants Tips on Studying in the U.S.
(Abuja: Tuesday, July 21, 2009)

CPAO Atim George interacts with YES students during the Pre-departure session. | FULL SIZE

Thirty high school students and one teacher selected for this year’s Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program from Nigeria, attended a pre-departure briefing organized by the U.S. Embassy, Abuja. The YES Nigeria program now includes participants from the following 8 states: Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba. The orientation was organized in order to provide the students with an understanding of the culture and complexity of the United States.

Dr. Saidu Yakubu, Country Director of Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS), highlighted several of the benefits Nigerian participants derived from the program such as improved computer literacy, enhanced communication skills, improved academic performance, increased commitment to community service and  religious tolerance.  Dr. Yakubu mentioned the important work of the YES Alumni Association that has established learning centers and peace clubs to tutor students and prevent conflict.  Several YES alumni were on hand to share their experiences and answer questions posed by members of the 2009/2010 YES cohort.

Sade Adebayo of the Educational Advising Center provided some tips on academic expectations and weather. She advised the students to obtain heavy winter coats if they had not already done so. Ms. Adebayo also held a visa orientation session during which she screened the students’ documents and asked them relevant questions that consular officials normally asked visa applicants.

Ms. Taylour Wingert, a high school student from the United States, provided tips on food, academics and friends, among other issues.  Public Diplomacy Officer Edward Flynn, who hosted foreign students at his home in California, told participants not to expect special treatment from their host parents but rather they should expect to be treated as members of the family. Mr. Flynn advised YES students to make their stay a pleasant one and productive and to be open and friendly with their host family. In her comments, Counselor for Public Affairs Atim Eneida George discussed effective cross-cultural communications and Information Assistant Musa Mohammed discussed the Greetings from America (GFA) program, in which selected YES students share their exchange experiences with classmates, friends and family via radio broadcast.

The YES program was established by the U.S. Congress in 2003; the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the program on behalf of the American people.