The American Councils Branch for International Education “ACTR/ACCELS” announced the 2008-2009 edition of the exchange Programme FLEX. Financed fully by the Government of the USA, the programme grants students from Moldova the opportunity to spend an academic year in the USA. The programme takes place on a competition basis, the finalists being selected by an independent US based commission, composed by experts in the field of international education and academic exchange. The selected students will be studying at high-schools in the USA and will be hosted by an American family. The first stage of the competition is organised for students of grades 9, 10 and 11, born from January 1 1991 to 15 July 1993, with an academic grade average not lower than 8.00, who have not previously been in the USA for a period longer than 3 months within the past 5 years and who will not encounter difficulties with the US visa application. The programme offers equal opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on racial, colour, religious, ethnic, handicap, or disabilities ground. The eligible candidates with a physical handicap are encouraged to participate. Tests will be conducted from September 19 to October 19 in Edinet, Calarasi, Leova, Balti, Anenii Noi and Chisinau. Registration for participants from Chisinau will take place on October 8-17 at the office of the American Councils. Under the decision taken by the Ministry of Education and Youth of Moldova, the participants of the FLEX programme in senior classes will have to retake the year once they return to Moldova.