Governor Bob Riley welcomes FLEX students to Sweet Home Alabama. All students live in the greater Birmingham area. As FLEX Cluster Leader Stephanie Atwood says, "It’s a charge to have a job that lets me meet the governor!"

Being Active Alumni

We cannot over-emphasize the importance of the ALUMNI COMPONENT of the FLEX Program.

Please encourage your students to reflect deeply and frequently about what it means to be a recipient of the Future Leaders Exchange Program scholarship. More than 47,000 students wanted the chance this year…those who got the chance have a responsibility to make the most of it. Not just for themselves and their families, but for their communities and countries as well.

It's NEVER too early to encourage your FLEX students to think about ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES in their home country.

STEP ONE https://alumni.state.gov

At your WELCOME ORIENTATION, all FLEX students should register for State Exchange. This site provides opportunities for to stay in touch, network and share useful information with current FLEX students, FLEX alumni and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

STEP TWO http://www.americancouncils.net

Choose RESOURCE LIBRARY, then ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS.

• Read the "Alumni Discovery" newsletter.
• Read "The Bradley Herald" newsletter. Choose NEWS.
• Read about alumni participation in "Upcoming Events".
• Read "Press Releases" to stay abreast of newsworthy alumni activities.

STEP THREE http://www.americancouncils.net

Choose PROGRAMS, then ALUMNI DEVELOPMENT GRANTS, then FSA FLEX ALUMNI GRANT APPLICATION.

• Review and become familiar with the ALUMNI GRANT APPLICATION.
• Encourage FLEX students to begin thinking NOW about the positive contributions they would like to make when they return to their home countries.
• Become familiar with the SELECTION QUALIFICATIONS for Alumni Grants, and encourage students to apply these guidelines to their Community Service Projects.

Throughout the exchange experience, FLEX students should be encouraged to reflect upon how they can use the knowledge and understanding gained this year toward making a positive impact in their home countries.

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