As many as 35 Moldovan secondary school students born between January 1, 1997 and July 15, 1999, who are studying English, can go to study in the Unites States for a year. In order to take part in the program, the students must take part in a three-stage pre-selection. After selected, the students will be enrolled at a U.S. high school and will live with an American family.

Contacted by IPN, the head of the Education Ministry’s International Relations and European Integration Department Ludmila Pavlov said that this is an academic and cultural exchange program. Besides studying, the young people are able know the culture and traditions of the American people. When back to Moldova, the students do not have to repeat the school year. Exception is made when the students of the twelfth grade do not manage to take the Baccalaureate exams.

The pre-selection will take place in 14 towns of Moldova between September 9 and October 2. Before the exam, the participants must register on the official website of the International Research and Exchange Board in Moldova by September 20. At the first stage, the candidates will take a test in the English language. The candidates must come to the exam with the birth certificate, the identity card or passport, a document-type photo 4x5, a pen and a pencil.

The best students will be invited to the International Research and Exchange Board in Moldova, where they will have interviews with representatives of the Board and will take additional tests concerning student adaptation and integration into society. The finalists will be selected by an independent commission from the U.S. consisting of experts in international education and academic exchange.

The program is supported by the U.S. Government and is implemented the 10th consecutive year.