The Medallion Program is a U.S. Department of State program that recognizes high schools which welcome exchange students participating in programs through the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) such as YES, FLEX and CBYX.
By hosting exchange students, high schools help create meaningful connections between cultures and countries. As a student ambassador, you play a key role in building understanding and leaving a positive, lasting impression of the United States and your home country.
What Does This Recognition Include?
A Digital Medallion
Schools that host a sponsored exchange student receive a digital medallion they can display on their school website, newsletters, etc.
Your Role as a Student
Each recognized school also receives a physical certificate from the U.S. Department of State. These certificates cannot be replaced, so it’s important to treat them carefully. Please handle the certificate with care and caution to ensure it remains in excellent condition.
The certificate is mailed to ONE designated ECA program student at each school.
If multiple ECA program exchange students hosted by AFS attend the same school, we encourage you to work together to present the certificate and celebrate this recognition as a team.
To ensure the recognition is properly received and acknowledged, it is essential that each certificate is presented to local school leadership (e.g., principal or head of school) before the end of the school year.
How to present the certificate
With the support of your local volunteers, you can decide to present the certificate in one of the following ways, ensuring that there is a certain degree of visibility (with other people in addition to the school principal) and photo opportunities:
- Attend a local school board meeting. Given that you are a resident of your host community, you are allowed to speak for 2-3 minutes in front of the local school board in their formal, public meeting. To do this, you may need to sign up in advance or show up early to the next meeting and add your name to the agenda. The process is different in every school district. Please take the Medallion certificate to the board meeting and share a quick story or two about the impact of this exchange on you and the other students in your school and ask for a photo with the Superintendent and board members. Make sure to invite your host family, liaison, or other AFS volunteers to join you for this option.
- Present the certificate to your school principal. Set up a time with your school’s secretary to present the certificate to your principal by explaining the Medallion Program and letting them know you’d like to celebrate the school’s commitment to exchange programs and take a photo with the principal.
- Present the certificate to the local Parent-Teacher Organization. Most high schools have an organization formed by teachers and parents and some even include students. This is a great audience to share your story about the impact of this scholarship program on you and your classmates and thank them for inviting you to their school this year. Host families are encouraged to share words and stories about the impact the student has had on them as well to potentially encourage more families to host!
- Present the certificate to the school faculty. Most high schools bring all of the teachers and administrators together at one time either before or after school hours. This would be a great way to recognize and celebrate the teachers that were part of your year AND to share the certificate with the school leaders at the same time. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, 2026, which could be a great time to present to teaching staff!
- Present the certificate at a school assembly. If your school has a time when the whole school comes together daily, weekly, or monthly, you could ask permission to present the certificate to the school leaders in front of the entire school. It’s a great way to say thank you and encourage your classmates to embark on their own intercultural adventure by studying abroad or hosting a student.
Tips for Your Presentation:
- Wear cultural attire or dress nicely/professionally.
- Take photos or a short video.
- Prepare 1–2 brief talking points about your experience and your school’s impact on you.
- Use this PowerPoint template, if given the opportunity for a more formal presentation.
- Share the hosting flyer included in your packet with your audience.
After Your Presentation:
- Email photos to ECAPrograms@afsusa.org
- Share on social media using #AFSUSA and #AFSeffect
- Encourage others to study abroad or host next year
If you have questions about the Medallion Program or presenting the certificate, please write to ECAPrograms@afsusa.org