The Chance To Go To America…

This past week I took a neighborhood student to a test in a nearby region, one of the six test locations offered throughout the country. This test was sponsored by the FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) Program. It was the first step in their selection process to spend the 2010 – 2011 school year attending high school in America and living with an American host family. The first step consists of 16 multiple choice questions. The next step, which occurs the next day, is a pre-TOEFL/essay test. Next is an official application and individual/group interviews, followed by the final selection. Each step must be passed to move on to the next step. From previous years’ participation it’s estimated that over 2,000 students took the first test – and only 45 students will end up as exchange students.

My student, Fidan, did not pass the first round. She was definitely disappointed but seems to have bounced back a bit since the test a week ago. The eligible age range is a span of about 2 1/2 years, and she’s young enough that she’ll be able to try again next year. I think taking the test was a good experience for her, and now she’ll know what to expect next year. Hopefully this will also provide some motivation for throughout the year; this year was kind of a last minute decision. Now more preparation can be done on a regular basis, increasing her English knowledge and confidence. And while the odds will probably be about the same next year, the opportunity doesn’t stop there. There are undergraduate and graduate exchange programs available. And English is becoming increasingly important in the business environment, especially in Baku. So her thirst for English will hopefully only help her in the future…