As part of FLEX, students spend the school year (2016–2017) at an American high school and live with an American family. All costs are covered by the U.S. Department of State. The aim of the program is to promote mutual respect and understanding between citizens of the United States and residents of other countries. Students from around the world have been participating in the program for more than 20 years; in Poland, it is being implemented for the first time.

The Embassy invites students who:

  • are Polish citizens and do not hold American citizenship
  • were born between 01/01/1999 and 07/15/2001
  • are currently third-year middle school or first-year secondary school students
  • have a communicative command of English
  • meet the requirements for obtaining a U.S. visa and have not spent more than three months in the United States during the past five years.

The program is not administered by the U.S. Embassy, but by American Councils for International Education. Applications must be submitted online by October 16, 2015: https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex.

The full program recruitment process consists of several stages. American Councils for International Education will inform applicants selected for the next stage.

Students with disabilities may also participate in the program. Please contact American Councils for details about the recruitment process. More information about the program: https://discoverflex.org/. Contact American Councils: poland@americancouncil.eu. The FLEX program’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FLEXProgram?ref=hl.

The FLEX program covers the following costs:

  • travel from the place of residence to the United States (to the host family) and return travel from the United States
  • a small monthly allowance to cover personal expenses
  • accommodation with a host family in the United States for one year
  • the school program at an American high school
  • pre-departure training in Poland
  • participation in local events in the United States
  • medical insurance (excluding diagnosed chronic diseases and dental care).

U.S. Embassy/ii