On this episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast we will be discussing the Future Leaders exchange program or Flex which is run and funded by the US Department of State.  It was created by former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley back in the early 1990’s. Senator Bradley believed that the best way to ensure peace between the US and the countries of Eurasia, specifically during the time period after the fall of the iron curtain, would be to set up a merit based exchange program. Subsequently, this program would allow students from Eurasian countries to study in the United States while living with a host family,  where they would gain leadership skills, participate in community service, and learn about American traditions and values while sharing the traditions of their home country with their host family in efforts to fostering peace in the world. 

The Flex program has continued to operate in the United States since the early 1990’s and twenty two countries currently participate with this exchange program, but today we will specifically be talking about Flex Hungary. My guest in this episode is Eniko Garai, who leads the program in Hungary, and she has all of the details about how students in Hungary qualify and move through the Flex Hungary process.  At the end of the episode, you might even be interested in becoming a host family for a Hungarian student in the near future. 

For more information about the Flex Program visit:

https://www.discoverflex.org

For more information about Flex Hungary  and the American Councils

https://hungary.americancouncils.org/flex-en

Follow Flex Hungary and the Third generation on Instagram 

@flex_hungary

@flexprogram

@flexhungary_thirdgeneration

@statedept

For information about how you can contact a placement agency and apply to become a host family visit:

https://www.discoverflex.org/placement-organizations

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