Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program
Expand Your Horizons & Host an Iraqi Exchange Student this Summer!
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Expand Your Horizons & Host an Iraqi Exchange Student this Summer! 〰️
Experience the transformative joy of hosting an exchange student and enriching lives while building bridges across cultures.
July 9th-22nd, 2024
Embark on a rewarding cultural exchange experience by hosting a bright high school student from Iraq in your home this summer. The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program is a nationally recognized initiative through the U.S. Department of State that fosters friendship, cultural understanding, and global connections.
Join us in welcoming these exceptional students to Phoenix from July 9th to July 22nd. Whether you can accommodate a student for the full program or just part of it, your participation as a citizen diplomat is invaluable!
About the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program
The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) for English High School offers a transformative experience for emerging leaders from across Iraq.
Through rigorous recruitment, participants are selected for their leadership potential, commitment to community betterment, and engagement. Spanning various provinces, the program cultivates a diverse cohort focused on developing action plans to enhance Iraq's future.
Participants engage in experiential learning, leadership training, and civic participation, facilitated by community, business, and NGO leaders. Hosted by local families, they immerse themselves in American life, fostering mutual understanding and respect. Upon return, participants implement engagement plans, contributing to community development and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. The program's objectives include developing civic responsibility, promoting mutual understanding, and strengthening cross-cultural skills to prepare participants as active alumni and global citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the students’ ages and how are they selected?
The students participating in the program are high school-aged youth. While we don't have their exact ages available yet, they attend English-speaking high schools in Iraq and are selected for this special initiative by the U.S. Embassy of Baghdad and State Department through a rigorous selection process in partnership with World Learning.
What do I need to provide?
Host families will need to provide students with a private bedroom. Students do not necessarily need to have a private bathroom, but should be able to comfortably and easily access a bathroom. Host families provide Halal-friendly meals to students. On weekdays, students eat breakfast and dinner with host families. Students spend weekends with families and therefore receive all three meals. Host families also transport students to and from programming days with GTAZ.
How will the student get to and from program days?
Host families are responsible for getting their exchange student to and from program days, Monday through Friday, during the program. GTAZ will define one or two central meeting locations that will serve as a daily drop off and pick up point. GTAZ is currently exploring the possibility of providing a fuel stipend to host families.
What does Halal mean?
Halal, in Arabic, means "permissible" or "allowed." In the context of food, products, and practices, Halal refers to what is permissible or lawful according to Islamic law (Shariah). It encompasses not only food and drink but also various aspects of daily life, including finance, trade, and personal conduct. Halal guidelines dictate what Muslims can eat, how food should be prepared, and the ethical treatment of animals. It involves specific rules for slaughter, avoidance of certain ingredients (such as pork and alcohol), and adherence to cleanliness and hygiene standards. Overall, Halal is a fundamental aspect of Islamic dietary and lifestyle practices.
What does a Halal diet entail?
A Halal diet entails consuming foods and beverages that are permissible according to Islamic law. This includes avoiding pork and its by-products, alcohol, and any other substances deemed unlawful. Additionally, meat must be prepared in a specific manner, known as Halal slaughter, and certain foods, such as gelatin, must be sourced from Halal-certified sources. Overall, the Halal diet emphasizes cleanliness, ethical treatment of animals, and adherence to religious guidelines in food consumption. You can learn more about the Halal diet and permissible foods here.
Costco and other supermarkets, including Baiz Fresh Foods, sell Halal-certified meats. Ask for them at the meat counter. GTAZ will also provide further guidance on meals.
What is the purpose of this program?
The primary goal of the exchange is to strengthen future relations between Iraq and the U.S. by cultivating leadership skills among Iraqi youth, enabling them to contribute to building strong institutions in their country, as well as strengthen cross cultural understanding between our countries.
Will I or my child be able to travel by participating in this program?
While there is a U.S. exchange program, Arizonan students would need to apply for that program separately. The program GTAZ is implementing focuses on hosting Iraqi students in the U.S. and does not currently involve outbound travel for American participants.
What if I don’t have children at home? Can I still host a student?
Yes, adults without children at home are welcome and encouraged to host.
Will my child be able to attend the program with the Iraqi students?
No, unfortunately Arizonan youth are unable to participate in the Monday through Friday programming provided by Global Ties Arizona. However, there may be select engagement opportunities for your children and the rest of the family.
Do I have to pay for the obligatory background check?
Global Ties Arizona will cover the cost of background checks for up to two adults in each household. If additional checks are needed and financial hardship is expressed, GTAZ will work with the family requesting additional checks.
Can I host more than one student?
Yes, you certainly can! However, please keep in mind that students must have a private bedroom unless they are sharing a room with another student of the same sex. In this case, each student must have his/her own bed.
Is this a paid opportunity?
GTAZ does not offer payment to host families. However, we are currently able to offer a $100 Amazon gift card (per student) to host families to help with purchases of household items and other goods that . We are also currently exploring other types of assistance and will provide updates as further support is acquired.
What is the benefit of hosting?
Hosting an Iraqi student in your home presents a unique opportunity to foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship, enriching both your life and theirs. By welcoming a young leader from Iraq into your home, you're not only providing them with a supportive environment to experience American culture firsthand but also contributing to the larger goal of strengthening global connections and promoting mutual understanding. This experience allows you to share your values, traditions, and way of life while learning from the perspective and experiences of someone from a different background. It's a chance to make a meaningful impact on a young person's life and create lasting memories and connections that transcend borders.
