World Link
905 M Avenue
Kalona, IA 52247
Phone: 319-656-4590
Fax: 319-656-4587
E-mail: exchange@worldlinkinc.org
Website: www.worldlinkinc.org
Contact: Curtis Stutzman, President
Countries Served: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Serbia
South Africa, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Number of 2023-2024 Participants: 135 J-1 semester or year inbound
Grant Programs: FLEX Program, YES Program
Not-for-Profit Organization: Established 2002
World Link conducts U.S. Government sponsored exchange programs and offers no private exchange programs. World Link operates two high school exchange programs under the sponsorship of the Youth Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State. World Link serves as a U.S. placement organization for these two programs.
Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX)—World Link is a placement organization for the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Qualified candidates are selected through a merit-based competition in select Eurasian countries. Selected students ages 15 to 18 come to the United States for an academic year to study in American high schools, live with U.S. host families, and gain leadership skills through involvement in extracurricular activities in five different categories. Categories include: civic education, cross-cultural communications, community service and leadership. Visit the US Embassy website or in-country ACCELS office to find out how to apply in Eurasia.
Youth Exchange and Studies (YES)—World Link serves as a placement organization for the US Department of State YES Program. Students ages 15 and 18 will be selected from predominantly Muslim countries using a merit-based competition to come to the United States for one academic year to study in American high schools, live with American host families, and become involved in sharing their cultures, learning leadership and community service skills. Students will be provided with spending stipends, enhancement, incidental and clothing funds, and health and accident insurance. The YES Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. To find out how to apply, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy and speak with the Public Affairs Officer or the assigned recruitment organization in your home country.
Participation in FLEX and YES Programs qualifies students to become involved with State Department alumni groups in their home countries upon their return. The program provides students with spending stipends, enhancement and incidental funds, and health and accident insurance. All program- and travel-related expenses are paid by a grant from the Youth Division of the U.S. Department of State. Participants are expected to return home and share their experiences in their home countries as they further their education and progress in their chosen careers.