YKO Student International Exchange Program (SIEP)
YKO is dedicated to giving each student a head start in intercultural communication from high school, helping them develop skills to succeed in college by encouraging an exploration and understanding of different peoples around world.

As SIEP ambassadors, these students will learn to adapt to new environments, by living with a host family in their chosen country—a true adventure for students who may have never traveled outside of California.

As Hillary Clinton wrote years ago, it takes a village to raise a child and in today’s world, that is a global village, According to a recent report published by the Institute of International Education some 160,920 American students studied abroad in 2001-02, an increase of nearly 5% from the previous year. This is a relatively small percentage of college students, yet studying abroad enhances a student’s ability to adapt to any new environment, whether at home or abroad---and that adaptability will serve them well as they complete their education and join a workforce that is also increasingly diverse in a global marketplace.

SEIP allows at-risk high school juniors and seniors students from Los Angeles, Calif. to travel to other countries for a 4-week, focused intensive study and enrichment program. Students are selected by teachers, based on the students’ commitment to success and growth. To qualify for SEIP, these students have overcome obstacles and already worked to change adversity into opportunity.

YKO SIEP Program Outline:

Cultural Diversity
In addition to exploring historic sites in their host country, students will be guided through programming to foster personal and professional growth and development. These program values include:

Financial Planning
Children are taught the value of handling their personal finances. Developing, maintaining, and being responsible with their credit profile protecting their FICA Scores for future success.
Dress to Succeed
Learning what appropriate attire is and what the dress codes are to succeed in the workplace.

Peer Mediation
Learning how to communicate effectively with one’s peers and what “teamwork” is in practical terms, through workshops and coaching. Through YKO Peer Advisory Council program children integrate these skills, learning to use them to mentor younger children and become community leaders by contributing to positive change in their communities.

Yoga
Using the art and science of yoga as a tool to develop a strong body and mind and as an effective method to manage stress to perform well in school and be able to pursue and sustain long-term professional goals.

Health and Well-Being
YKO teaches healthy eating habits by providing students with guidelines for good nutrition and exercise through yoga and other movement, and tools for stress management to maintain wellness. Students will be instructed by qualified health professionals according to their individual needs.