23 Young Malaysian Ambassadors Embark On Cultural Mission To The United States

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Excitement was clearly visible on the faces of 23 students set to become Malaysia’s young ambassadors to the United States (US), despite having to be away from their loved ones to take part in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (KL-YES) Programme 2026.  

All the teenagers selected in the final cohort of the programme, which has been held for the past 22 years, are 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers. They will live with host families and pursue their studies for six months in the US until June 2026, serving as diplomatic bridges between Malaysia and the US.

One of the participants, Ahmad Hakimi Ahmad Sharizan, a student of Sekolah Menengah Sains Muzaffar Syah in Melaka who will be placed in Buxon, Maine, said that young age and distance were not barriers to gaining new experiences abroad.

The Johor-born student said he was determined to step out of his comfort zone and take on the challenge to showcase the uniqueness of Malaysia’s culture and the harmony of its multiracial society on the international stage.

“I want to show the people there (in the US) how Malaysia can maintain harmony and respect sensitivities among races without creating conflict.”

“Fear is always there, but I believe we need to step out of our comfort zone to learn. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I want to experience living and studying in the US at the age of 18,” he told Bernama.

Neoh Sher Meng, a student of Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Heng Ee in Penang, also expressed his excitement about introducing the diversity of traditional Malaysian cuisine, which reflects the country’s unique cultural and ethnic heritage.

“I hope this effort can be a way for me to give back to the society that has shaped who I am today,” said Neoh, who will be placed in Sierra Vista, Arizona.”  

Meanwhile, Ahmad Hakimi’s father, Ahmad Shahrizan Mohamad Esman, said that although it was difficult to let go of his eldest child, he saw the opportunity as a chance for the teenager to shine and gain valuable experience at a young age.

“As a father, I was initially quite anxious since this would be Hakimi’s first time going to the US, and the distance is considerable. However, I see him as an ambassador and a representative of Malaysia who will carry the country’s good name,” he said.

Neoh’s mother, Siok Swee Ching, also acknowledged her concerns about the safety of her only child, but said she felt reassured after an online meeting with her son’s host family in the US.

“Although as a mother I sometimes feel afraid, seeing his resilience and courage makes me confident that he will be able to adapt well in Arizona,” she said.

Since its official launch in 2004, more than 800 Malaysian students have taken part in the fully US government-funded high school exchange programme through the US Embassy in Malaysia, in collaboration with AFS Intercultural Malaysia Foundation. 

Meanwhile, US Deputy Chief of Mission, David H.Gamble, described the programme as a meaningful educational experience for Malaysian students, noting that the two countries offer different learning approaches that help produce well-equipped individuals who can contribute to Malaysia.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony on Tuesday, Gamble described the Malaysian education system as “deep and specialised,” while noting that the American system is “broad” and focuses on making connections across various disciplines.

“What a cool combination that is, and so I’m excited for all of you – not only for what you’ll do in America, but what you’ll do when you return and combine these two experiences. People-to-people connections are at the heart of our relationship,” he said.

AFS Intercultural Malaysia Foundation national director Kuhan Kandiah Chelvanathan said the student selection process for the programme was highly competitive and rigorous, involving assessments of academic excellence, character, and general knowledge about Malaysia.

“They must not only understand their own ethnic group, but also others such as Indians, Chinese, Kadazan, Iban and more, because they are young ambassadors of the country. The main goal is to show the world how people of different religions in Malaysia can live together in harmony,” he said.

He added that KL-YES was a US government initiative launched after the September 11, 2001, attacks to build understanding with Muslim communities worldwide, and Malaysia was chosen as one of the earliest participating countries due to the uniqueness of its society, which lives peacefully despite differences in race and religion.

--BERNAMA