American Serbia and Montenegro Youth
Leadership Exchange (A-SMYLE)

Program Information

Initiated in 2005, the American Serbia and Montenegro Youth Leadership Exchange (A-SMYLE) program gives youth from the countries of Serbia and Montenegro, aged 15 to 17 years, the opportunity to learn about democracy as it is practiced in the United States and develop leadership skills that will help them lead the transformation of their country in the 21st century. The year-long scholarship ensures that participants explore principles of American society and introduce their countries’ cultures and histories to others, by living with a host family and attending high school in the U.S.

CIEE partners with American Councils for International Education, a similar international exchange organization founded in 1973, to manage and administer the A-SMYLE program. Both organizations work to ensure that each student meets program requirements, such as their In-Community Orientation, Mid-Year Seminar, and Leadership Plan. During their exchange year, and afterwards as alumni, A-SMYLE students strengthen the ties between the United States, Serbia, and Montenegro.

“I was fortunate to visit Washington, D.C. earlier this year. Everybody should enjoy this incredible city, with great monuments, and hear a story of American pride and history that this city has to tell.”

A-SMYLE student, Palestine, Texas

A-SMYLE scholar meets Serbian President, Boris Tadic, in Cleveland

"I came to the United States as A-SMYLE scholar about month ago. As I started this new journey in my life, I knew that I would meet a lot of new people, but I couldn’t even imagine that I would get a chance to meet Serbian President, Mr. Boris Tadic!"

- Milena, A-SMYLE Student