Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program accepted Deepali Kannoujia an Indian Student

Amidst all challenges Deepali Kannoujia Secures U.S. Scholarship

Our path is not determined by where we begin from, what truly matters is the efforts we put in, our determination and focus. It's all about how relentlessly we pursue our goals, every challenge we face and every hurdle we overcome only adds to the strength of our journey.

Deepali Kannoujia a sixteen-year-old class X student who lives in a one-room dwelling and supported her family by teaching children is overjoyed to have been accepted for the coveted Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program. In the face of numerous challenges, her achievement stands as a beacon of hope and determination and a powerful reminder that with resilience and dedication, even the toughest circumstances can’t overshadow the light of one’s dreams. She is among the 30 Indian students chosen for the acclaimed Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program. The youngest of four siblings, she revealed that her father, a former washerman, is now incapacitated following major surgery. Suman Kannoujia, her mother, expressed her mixed feeling of happiness and anxiety about sending her daughter overseas for the first time.

A student of Prerna Girls’ School, which is the part of Study Hall Educational Foundation stated that despite hearing about the United States from her teachers, Deepali never believed she would be able to study there. On 19 August, she is scheduled to fly to the United States. The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program gives high school students from key nations the opportunity to spend an academic year in the United States. It seeks to advance US foreign policy objectives by supporting civil society, developing youth leadership, and strengthening long-term relationships between Americans and overseas participants.

The YES program grants a merit-based scholarship to high school students aged 15 to 17 and applicants must be enrolled in grades 8 through 11 and have an excellent academic record, intermediate English abilities, and be Indian nationals with a family income of less than Rs. 5 lakh. Applicants with little US travel history are given preference, and students with disabilities are urged to apply. The YES application and selection process consists of multiple parts, including an English proficiency test, a proctored essay, a YES program application, and both group and individual in-person interviews. Finalists are chosen based on merit. For additional information, readers are nudged to visit yesprograms.org.

Editor’s Note: 
 

Deepali Kannoujia, a 16-year-old, has achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of her dreams, demonstrating that hard work and determination can lead to success. Her achievement serves as an inspiring example for countless students who, despite obstacles, aspire to reach their goals. The YES program offers merit-based scholarships to high school students with outstanding academic records. 

Skoobuzz extends its heartfelt congratulations to Deepali for her significant accomplishment and encourages all students to pursue their dreams with unwavering dedication.