Recruitment Organizations

AFS-USA, American Councils, Amideast, iEARN and IRIS are recruitment organizations for Kennedy-Lugar YES students from communities in over 40 countries around the world. 

AFS is a worldwide not-for-profit organization that has been a leader in international high school exchange for more than 75 years. As a partner in the global AFS network, AFS-USA offers international exchange programs in more than 45 countries and hosts exchange students from 80 countries. AFS-USA empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.

American Councils for International Education, an international not-for-profit organization founded in 1974, has placed students since 2001. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development programs, American Councils designs and administers innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding.

America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (Amideast), founded in 1951, is a leading American not-for-profit organization "engaged in international education, training, and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa."

International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), founded in 1988, is a not-for-profit organization made up of over 30,000 schools and youth organizations in more than 140 countries. iEARN "empowers teachers and young people to work together online using the Internet and other new communications technologies."

Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS) is a not-for-profit organization located in Iowa that promotes "international understanding, development, and peace" by bringing students, journalists, business people, educators, and government leaders to Iowa from Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia.