Embassy of the United States Paris, France

Youth Ambassadors 2009 in front of the Capitol, Washington D.C. - Photo DOS

Are you a French high school junior or senior level student? Become a Youth Ambassador to the United States!

Youth Ambassadors is a program initiated by the Embassy of the United States of America in France in partnership with ACSE (the French National Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunity).

On site you will attend an American school and live with a host family. As a Youth Ambassador, you will represent France and participate in meetings and debates with associations and young people on themes such as cultural diversity, identity, equal opportunity, volunteer work and community service. Before your departure from France, you will participate in two obligatory training sessions, one of which is a national training session. Upon your return, in order to share your experience, you will take part in an internship at an association.

Program Objectives

• To promote equal opportunities.
• To develop participants’ sense of civic duty and their interest in volunteer work and community service.
• To develop an intercultural dialogue between French and American youths.

To be considered for the program, the student must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Eligible for ESTA (electronic travel authorization) or for obtaining a non-immigrant (B1/B2) visa for travel to the U.S. (proof of receipt of the ESTA or visa obligatory in order to travel).
• Enrolled as a high school junior or senior during the academic year.
• Registered at a public school in Ile de France, Aquitaine, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Rhône-Alpes, or PACA. (see application form for details)
• Capable of expressing oneself in English.
• No prior travel to the United States.
• Interest in community service (experience in volunteer work is preferred).
• Be from a family of modest means, which will be evaluated by looking at the family allocation and which must be no greater than 750 euros.