Exchange Programs
Every day our world continues to grow closer together through the internet, global news media, artistic and cultural programs, technological cooperation, international commerce, and other avenues. Yet there’s nothing like direct personal contact to help us overcome distance to learn more about the diverse cultures, faith traditions, and worldviews that make up the human experience.
Travel abroad can be among life’s most affirming and rewarding activities, challenging one’s established notions and creating opportunities for personal growth. Plus, you get to explore fabulous historical sites, take in breath-taking natural vistas, try a lot of interesting food, and make great new friends! As noted American author Henry Miller observed, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
A number of organizations have made it their mission to enable more of us to go out into the world as part of cultural exchanges between countries and regions. Not only can you reap all the usual benefits of personal travel, but, as part of an exchange program, you can be an ambassador to the people of other countries and bring first-hand stories and observations back to share with your community. It’s amazing to learn how human nature and local priorities shape life in other parts of the world. This knowledge can help each one of us to live more purposefully, and work more effectively for peace, both locally and globally.
If you’re interested in participating in an exchange program, check out any of the following organizations:
AMIDEAST
For over 40 years, AMIDEAST has arranged and administered student and employee exchange programs between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa. In the short term, these programs contribute to individual success and provide a forum for positive cross-cultural interaction. In the long term, they hold the potential to improve economic development, cross-cultural understanding, and even foreign policy.
Asia Foundation
Through its Asian-American Exchange unit, the Asia Foundation seeks to encourage greater understanding between Asians and Americans with the ultimate aim of contributing towards strengthened U.S.-Asia relations. Over the past five decades, Foundation grants have provided thousands of participants with opportunities to exchange views and gain direct experience with regions other than their own.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. This agency provides information and resources pertaining to the International Visitor Leadership Program, English language teaching and learning, studying abroad for Americans, citizen exchanges, cultural programs, and other activities and services.
Coalition for Citizen Diplomacy
The Coalition for Citizen Diplomacy is leading a nation-wide effort to raise the profile and strengthen the impact of the citizen diplomacy movement. By opening their homes, offices and schools to foreign visitors participating in exchange programs across the United States, citizen diplomats foster international understanding and cooperation, constructive economic connections and peaceful interaction.
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
For over 50 years, CIES has helped administer the Fulbright Scholar Program, the U.S. government's flagship academic exchange effort, on behalf of the United States Department of State. CIES maintains deep ties with the U.S. higher education community, including individual universities and colleges and major scholarly organizations. Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.
