ALEX is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and fosters mutual understanding, respect, and civic engagement for the 2020-21 FLEX and YES finalists who were not able to come to the United States for an in-person academic year program due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The program consists of a one-week civic education workshop (DC Study Tour) in Washington, DC  and a one-week Leadership Program in a U.S. host community focused on themes including  service learning, volunteerism, equity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, and environmentalism.  

Global Ties Detroit will be hosting ten (10) students ages 17-19 and one adult participant from Kazakhstan. They will be staying at Wayne State University dormitories. During their week in SE Michigan, the ALEX group will meet with government officials, community leaders, faculty and college students, and more.  They will also take part in home hospitality dinners, volunteer at community organizations, and engage in cultural activities and sports events for an active and well-rounded program.