The Military Youth Ambassadors of Utah (MYA) is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Utah National Guard. Our mission is to empower military-connected youth to become global leaders and citizen diplomats through a unique cultural exchange with the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco.

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Each year, MYA selects 10–12 Utah teens (ages 13–17) from current or former Utah National Guard families to participate in a 4-week international exchange program, split over 2 summers and 2 years.

• One-to-One Pairing: Each Utah teen is matched with a Moroccan teen from a military family. This one-to-one pairing builds a strong, lasting connection.

• Summer 1 (2 weeks in Utah): Moroccan teens visit Utah and live with their matched Utah teen’s family while participating in leadership activities, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and a service project.

• Summer 2 (2 weeks in Morocco): The following year, Utah teens reunite with their Moroccan match, living in their host sibling’s home and experiencing Moroccan hospitality, culture, and family life firsthand.

This reciprocal hosting model fosters lifelong friendships, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and develops leadership skills, while providing youth with the opportunity to represent Utah and the U.S. as citizen ambassadors.