Freedom 250 YES Alumni Internship Program - Alumni Application

American Councils for International Education is pleased to announce the Freedom 250 YES Alumni Internship Program. This program connects highly motivated Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program alumni with American host organizations around the world.

During the program, YES alumni interns will have the chance to gain hands-on experience, professional development, skill-building, and networking opportunities. The Alumni Internship Program is designed to give younger generations of alumni a strong start in their professional careers by expanding their work experience and strengthening their professional skills, which strengthens their future workforce readiness.

Host organizations will benefit from high-performing interns who bring technical expertise, local knowledge, innovative problem-solving, leadership skills, and the capacity to support projects that enhance the effectiveness and reach of American organizations both in the United States and abroad.

Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. The YES Alumni Internship Program is administered by American Councils for International Education through the YES program.

IMPORTANT!
This is a learning and professional development program, not employment. The intern is not entitled to wages or to any promise of employment upon completion of this unpaid structured learning experience. Host organizations participate on a voluntary basis and are not expected to provide financial compensation to the intern. Alumni interns will receive a modest monthly stipend to help cover expenses related to transportation, meals, internet, and similar needs.

Shortlisted alumni who advance to the interview stage of the program will be informed about the stipend amount for which they are eligible.

Application Deadline: May 3, 2026

Application and Selection Process:

Participants will be selected through a merit‑based, open competition that consists of multiple rounds. Applicants will be evaluated on their motivation, ability to demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge, and the extent to which they align with the needs and expectations of the host organization.

In the application, each applicant may indicate up to three preferred internship opportunities they would like to be considered for. However, applicants should be aware that placement in a preferred opportunity is not guaranteed. Based on the applications received, American Councils will shortlist the highest‑scoring candidates for a 30-minute interview with either American Councils staff or a designated host organization.

Following a review of all application components and interview results, selected finalists will be matched with a suitable host company and offered an opportunity to participate in the program. Final placement will depend on the applicant’s qualifications, their ability to present themselves as a strong fit for both the program and the potential host company, interview performance, and alignment with the needs of the host organization.

Internship Program Period: June 1 - August 30, 2026

In-person, hybrid, or virtual opportunities available (depending on location)*
Part-time commitments (up to 20hrs/week)
Internship duration: 2-3 months**

*The program does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for interns. Therefore, applicants eligible for in-person internships would be limited to those who already reside in the host location.

**Even if the internship lasts fewer than three months, alumni are required to participate in all program activities through August 30. These activities include monthly professional development webinars as well as the online opening and closing events.

Program Timeline:
Please note that the dates provided are approximate and may be slightly modified based on program needs.

By May 3: Alumni submit applications
May 4 - 15: Alumni application evaluation
May 20-29: Hosts and/or American Councils staff interview shortlisted top candidates
May 20–29: Finalization of internship placements
June 1: Internships begin, with all interns and supervisors invited to an online program launch event
June-August: Interns participate in monthly professional development sessions organized by American Councils (once per month)
July: American Councils conducts individual mid-point check‑ins with each intern and host
August 28–31: Internships conclude, with all interns and supervisors invited to a closing event (exact date - TBD); completion of post-program evaluation surveys.

Eligibility Requirements:

Successful completion of the YES or YES Abroad program from one of the eligible countries*
Early-stage professional; no prior work experience required to apply
Completed at least high school education
Ability to demonstrate skills and knowledge relevant to the host organization's field of work (through volunteering, academics, exchange experience, extracurricular activities, etc.)
Proficiency in English for a professional setting
Compliance with the two-year home residency requirement following the completion of the YES or YES Abroad program

*YES alumni originating from these countries are eligible to apply: Albania, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, and West Bank.

Questions? Please contact us by email:
yesalumni@americancouncils.org

Instructions for Viewing Available Internship Opportunities

1. Visit the YES Alumni Internship Program website to view all available internship opportunities: Website - Available Internships. Internships are organized by location—either virtual or tied to a specific country.

2. Familiarize yourself with the internship opportunities that you are eligible for and interested in by carefully reading the internship descriptions.

3. In the application, indicate your top 1–3 internship preferences in the "Rank Internship Preferences" section.

All YES alumni are eligible to apply for virtual internship opportunities. You may apply for in‑person or hybrid internships only if you currently reside in the country under which the opportunity is listed, as the program does not cover transportation, accommodation, or relocation expenses.

Please do not contact the host organizations directly. These internship placements are available only to alumni selected for the program and will not be offered outside the established selection process or in response to independent requests.

IMPORTANT: American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, Inc. (American Councils) takes your privacy seriously. By clicking 'next' on this page and completing the application that follows, you provide your consent to our privacy policy, which can be viewed here.

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