Youth Excursion (YOUTEX) Future Leaders program is an international youth leadership initiative designed to cultivate global mindsets through webinars, cultural challenges, and fully funded travel rewards. While the 2023 cycle in South Korea focused on Incheon and Seoul, the program has evolved into broader leadership summits.
Program Mechanism
The YOUTEX program operates differently than a standard scholarship application. It uses a competition-based model:
- Registration: Participants pay a registration fee (historically around $17 USD).
- Webinars: Enrolled students attend a series of leadership and global-issue webinars.
- Quiz Challenge: After the webinars, all participants take a quiz.
- Selection: The Top 10 participants with the highest scores are awarded the fully funded trip.
- Cash Option: Winners often have the choice to exchange the trip for a cash prize (historically $849 USD).
Reward & Coverage (Fully Funded Trip)
The top 10 winners receive a 6-day, 5-night leadership excursion including:
- Travel: Round-trip flight tickets and visa support.
- Stay: Free accommodation and 3 meals per day.
- Activities: Campus visits, cultural classes (e.g., Kimchi making), and local excursions to landmarks like the Seoul Museum of History and Bukchon Hanok Village.
- Professional: International certificates and participation in a global symposium.
2026 Update: Korea Youth Summit (KYS)
For the current year, many organizers under the “Youth Break the Boundaries” (YBB) umbrella—which shares the YOUTEX vision—are focusing on the Korea Youth Summit 2026.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Seoul, South Korea |
| Event Dates | February 2 – 5, 2026 |
| Theme | “Empowering Youth Through Cultural Synergy” |
| Deadline | January 2, 2026 (Self-funded cycle) |
| Participation | 200 Slots (Fully Funded and Self-funded available) |
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: 15 – 40 years old (depending on the specific event cycle).
- Background: Open to high school students, university students, professionals, and entrepreneurs.
- Language: Must understand English, as all programs are conducted in English.
- Spirit: A strong interest in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and cultural heritage.