Exchanges, Training and Study Abroad

American Councils administers a variety of cultural exchange, study abroad, and research programs on behalf of both public and private funders.  Participation in these programs is through an open, merit-based competition, and facilitates mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and South Asia.

See our Current Programs list below or visit Educational Seminars, Alumni Information, or browse Past American Councils' Programs to learn more about our reach.

Current Programs

• Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)
  American Councils' longest-running study abroad program provides intensive Russian-language immersion for US undergraduate and graduate students in Russia.
• African Languages Initiative (AFLI)
  The African Languages Initiative is a program designed to increase the number of Boren Scholars, Fellows and alumni engaged in the study of critical languages of Africa.
• American Serbia and Montenegro Youth Leadership Exchange (A-SMYLE)
  A-SMYLE is a dynamic international education program for Serbian and Montenegrin high school students.
• AMZ Renaissance Foundation Afghanistan Undergraduate Fellowship Program (AMZ)
  The Afghanistan Undergraduate Fellowship Program provides merit-based scholarships to academically qualified students of Afghanistan for undergraduate study at accredited U.S. universities.
• Arabic Overseas Flagship Program (AOFP)
  Advanced to professional (Flagship)-level training in Arabic language overseas. Students need to be at the advanced (2 or 2+) levels of proficiency on the ILR scale.
• Arabic Overseas Program in Alexandria, Egypt (AOP)
  American Councils for International Education is pleased to announce that the online application for the Arabic Overseas Program in Alexandria, Egypt is now live. This program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in the US and Canada, at the intermediate level of Arabic. To apply, please visit us here
• Balkan Language Initiative (BLI)
  Provides graduate students, undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals the unique opportunity to study Balkan language and culture in an overseas, immersion setting. Expert faculty from leading local universities and educational institutions conduct courses during Fall, Spring, Summer, and Academic-Year terms.
• Business Russian Language and Internship Program (BRLI)
  BRLI combines specialized curriculum for business Russian and a 10-hour per week internship with U.S. or Russian businesses in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
• Community Connections (CC)
  The Community Connections program offers homestay-based practical training opportunities in the U.S. for entrepreneurs, local government officials, legal professionals, non-governmental organization leaders and other professionals from 12 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
• Contemporary Russia (CRU)
  A five-week Russian area studies program in Moscow for undergraduate and graduate students as well as working professionals at all levels of Russian-language proficiency.
• Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS)
  Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Critical Language Scholarship Program provides group-based intensive summer language instruction to U.S. graduate and undergraduate students in thirteen critical need languages.
• Educational Seminars: Argentina Administrator Exchange Program (APEP)
  This program has been discontinued. The Argentina Administrator Exchange Program is a two-way exchange that provides the opportunity for U.S. and Argentine school administrators to work together on issues of mutual interest to their communities, schools and students. The three-week hosting and three-week travel components may focus on areas of interest such as: personnel administration, school management, instruction, curriculum development, student affairs, and/or educational policy. Open to U.S. school superintendents and K-12 principals/assistant principals/directors. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.
• Educational Seminars: Brazil Administrator Exchange Program (BPEP)
  The program application for 2013-14 has closed. Please check back this summer for 2014-15 details. The Brazil Administrator Exchange Program is a two-way exchange that provides the opportunity for U.S. and Brazilian school administrators to work together on issues of mutual interest to their communities, schools and students. The two-week hosting and two-week travel components may focus on areas of interest such as: personnel administration, school management, instruction, curriculum development, student affairs, and/or educational policy. Open to U.S. school administrators such as superintendents and K-12 principals/assistant principals/directors. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.
• Educational Seminars: Exchanges for U.S. Teachers and Administrators (EDSPO)
  The Educational Seminars program offers Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State funded grants for teachers and administrators in the United States. Outbound exchanges are short term, taking place during the summer break in the U.S., and focus on sharing of best practices and professional development. Inbound exchanges take place during the school year so that host participants can provide shadowing opportunities and professional development and so that international educators can see U.S. schools in action.
• Educational Seminars: Greece Classics Program (GCP)
  This program has been discontinued. The Greece Classics Program is a six-week intensive program with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens that introduces participants to Greece from antiquity through the modern period. Open to U.S. high school teachers or college educators of Greek, Latin, Ancient Studies, or the Classics. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.
• Educational Seminars: India Summer Teacher Program (ISP)
  Application for summer 2014 will be available in fall of 2013 The India Summer Teacher Program provides an opportunity for U.S. teachers to collaborate with and teach with an Indian counterpart for approximately five weeks in Kolkata, India. Open to U.S. high school teachers of English, Math or Science. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA, U.S. Department of State).
• Educational Seminars: Italy Classics Program (ICP)
  This program has been discontinued. The Italy Classics Program is an 8 week professional development opportunity including 6 weeks in and around Rome with the American Academy in Rome, and 2 weeks with the Vergilian Society at Cumae. Open to U.S. high school teachers of Greek, Latin, the Classics, Art History or Ancient Studies. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.
• Educational Seminars: Portugal Administrator Exchange Program (PAEP)
  The program application for 2013-14 has closed. Please check back this summer for 2014-15 details. The Portugal Administrator Exchange Program is a short-term, mutual exchange opportunity for U.S. and Portugal school administrators that is fully funded. The program provides a professional development opportunity for U.S. and Portuguese school administrators to work together on issues of mutual interest to their communities, schools and students.
• Educational Seminars: Thailand Educator Exchange Program (TTPEP)
  This program is discontinued. The Thailand Educator Exchange Program is a two-way exchange that provides the opportunity for U.S. and Thai teachers and administrators to work together on issues of mutual interest to their communities, schools, and students with a goal of strengthening local school systems. The two-week hosting and two-week travel components may focus on areas of interest such as: personnel administration, school management, instruction, curriculum development, teaching methodology, student affairs, and/or educational policy. Open to U.S. school superintendents, K-12 principals/assistant principals/directors, and teachers of English/ESL, Science or Math. Teachers with leadership and/or curriculum development experience such as Department heads or are preferred. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.
• Educational Seminars: Uruguay Educator Exchange Program (USEEP)
  This program has been discontinued. The Uruguay Educator Exchange Program is a two-way exchange that provides the opportunity for U.S. and Uruguayan elementary and high school teachers to work together on issues of mutual interest to their communities, schools and students. This program includes two weeks of hosting in February and two weeks of travel the following summer. Open to U.S. elementary and high school teachers with strong Spanish language, Spanish immersion or English-Spanish bilingual programs in their schools/districts. Applicants must be fluent in Spanish. Educational Seminars is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.
• Energy in Central Asia Program (ECAP)
  A four-week Central Asian business culture studies program in Kazakhstan for undergraduate and graduate students as well as working professionals at all levels of Russian-language proficiency.
• Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA)
  The Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA) Program brings together leading research universities in Russia and in the U.S. to strengthen university capacity in applied and translational research and technology transfer, which improves the potential for meaningful research collaborations between the U.S. and Russia. It is implemented in partnership with the Russian Federation Ministry of Education and Science in accordance with the national education strategy and federal program supporting national research universities and is funded by the U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF).
• Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)
  The American Councils Eurasian Regional Language program provides graduate students, advanced undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals with intensive individualized instruction in the languages of Eurasia. Participants may in enroll in semester, academic year, or summer programs. All courses are conducted by expert faculty from leading local universities and educational institutions.
• Future Leaders Exchange Program: Administration (FLEXAD)
  The FLEX Administrative Office coordinates recruitment, selection, orientation, travel, on-program support and alumni program for the year-long FLEX program.

  Click here to visit the program website.

• Future Leaders Exchange: Placement (FLEX)
  The FLEX placement organization places teenagers from Eurasia with host families and in U.S. high schools across the United States.
• Inbound Secondary School Programs (ISSP)
  American Councils places students on a number of academic scholarship programs in communities throughout the United States. Students live with a host family and attend a U.S. high school.
• Individualized Arabic Language and Culture Program (temporarily suspended)
  American Councils and Alexandria University offer individualized instruction in Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial for interested learners prepared to commit 4 – 8 weeks of intensive/immersion study of Arabic in residence in Alexandria, Egypt.
• Individualized Russian Language Program for Heritage Speakers (II)
  Intended to address the specific needs of students who speak Russian at home or with relatives, or who grew up speaking Russian and wish to strengthen their Russian skills.
• Intensive Summer Language Institute (ISLI)
  Intensive Summer Language Institute for Chinese Teachers.
• Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP)
  The JFDP is a professional development program for junior university faculty from Eurasia and Southeast Europe.
• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES)
  The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) program was established in October, 2002 to provide scholarships for high school students (15-17 years) from countries with a significant Muslim population to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. The program is vital to expanding communication between the people of the United States and these partner countries in order to promote mutual understanding and respect. Students live with a host family, attend a U.S. high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures.
• Kosovo American Education Fund Graduate Fellowship Program (KAEF)
  The purpose of the KAEF Program is to support long-term development in Kosovo by enhancing a cadre of well-educated and trained individuals.
• Kosovo Improvement Through Education (KITE)
  The KITE program aims to facilitate trainings to improve Kosovar business and NGO performance.
• Legislative Fellows Program (LFP)
  The Legislative Fellows Program (LFP) is sponsored by the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. For Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine it is administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.
• National Bank of Serbia Graduate Fellowship Program (NBS)
  The NBS Graduate Fellowship Program offers Bank staff members professional development opportunities through internationally renowned master’s degree programs in the United States. NBS Fellows receive top-notch academic training in their fields of expertise, enabling them to further their careers at the National Bank.
• Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program (NESA UGRAD)
  The Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program provides full scholarships for outstanding students from underrepresented sectors of the Near East and South Asia for one academic year of non-degree, undergraduate study in the United States.
• NSLI for Youth (NSLI-Y)
  NSLI for Youth is part of a Presidential initiative to increase American citizens’ capacity to engage foreign governments and peoples through the critical languages of Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian and Turkish.
• Olympiada of Spoken Russian (OSR)
  Since 1962, the Olympiada has offered an opportunity for US students of Russian to earn medals by demonstrating their oral proficiency in state and regional competitions.
• Persian Overseas Flagship Program (POFP)
  Advanced to professional (Flagship)-level training in Iranian Persian and Tajik languages at Tajik State National University in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for students already at the advanced (2 or 2+) levels of proficiency.
• Republic of Tatarstan Higher Education Fellowship Program (Algarysh)
  The Republic of Tatarstan Higher Education Fellowship (Algarysh) provides full fellowships for highly qualified graduate students to study at a university in the U.S. for full Master’s degree programs in fields related to science and technology, business, economics, education, public health and others.
• Russian Overseas Flagship Program (ROFP)
  Advanced to professional (Flagship)-level training in Russian at St. Petersburg State University in St. Petersburg, Russia for students already at the advanced (2 or 2+) levels of proficiency.
• Secondary Academic Cultural Exchange: formerly High School Academic Partnership Exchange (SACE)
  SACE is a school linkage program that facilitates exchanges between Eurasian and American high schools.
• Serbia Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) for U.S. Participants (SYLP)
  The Serbia Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) supports the development of community activism, leadership skills, respect for diversity, and civic education in youth from Serbia and the United States. This short-term cultural and educational exchange between high school students and teachers/community leaders from the U.S. and Serbia will introduce U.S. participants to civil society, civic activism, and contemporary issues in Serbia.
• Serbia Youth Leadership Program for applicants from Serbia (SYLPS)
  The Serbia Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) is a short-term cultural and educational exchange between high school students from Serbia and the U.S. that supports the development of community activism, leadership skills, respect for diversity, and civic education in youth from Serbia and the United States.
• Summer English Language Program (SELP)
  Spend this summer in the USA learning English with other students your age! American Councils, through its partner organizations, offers summer English language programs for both individual students and groups.
• Summer Russian Language Teachers Program (ST)
  Provides support for teachers of Russian at the university, high school, and secondary school level to study Russian literature, language, culture, and second language pedagogy at Moscow State University for six weeks. Also open to graduate students.
• Swahili Overseas Flagship Program (SOFP)
  Advanced to professional (Flagship)-level training in Swahili language at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) in Zanzibar, Tanzania, for students already at the advanced (2 or 2+) levels of proficiency.
• Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP)
  TCLP coordinates the work of Chinese and Egyptian EFL teachers in the U.S. for an academic year to teach American students their native languages in schools throughout the country. Teachers receive extensive professional development during their cross-cultural and technical exchange.
• Teachers to Teachers: Language, Technology, Math, and Science Exchange (LTMS)
  Teachers to Teachers supports the professional development of secondary school teachers from Russia in the fields of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) as well as Math, Hard Sciences, and Information Technology.
• The National High School Slavic Honor Society (SLAVA)
  SLAVA was founded in 1973 as a means of recognizing excellence in the study of Slavic languages and literature and to provide incentive for scholarly interest in Slavic life and culture.
• Title VIII Research Fellowships (Title VIII)
  The Research Scholar Program and Combined Research and Language Training Program (CRLT) provide up to nine months of full support for overseas research in Russia, Eurasia, and the Balkans.
• Turkmenistan Secondary School Linkages Program (SSLP)
  SSLP provides the opportunity for teachers and administrators from Burke County, North Carolina and Mary Region Turkmenistan to participate in a person to person exchange.
• U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program (US-PPYX)
  Initiated by Senator Richard Lugar in 2008 to celebrate 90 years of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations, the U.S.-Poland program is in the process of expanding from a four-week short term program to an academic year exchange program.
• US-Central Asia Education Foundation Enterprise Student Fellowship Program (US-CAEF)
  The Enterprise Student Fellowship Program is an academic scholarship program of the U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation (US-CAEF) and is administered by the American Councils for International Education.
• US-Russia Innovation Corridor (USRIC)
  The US-Russia Innovation Corridor – or USRIC – housed at the University of Maryland’s International Incubator, is a tangible result of the cooperative relationship between American Councils, UMD, UNN, the state of Maryland and the Nizhny Novgorod region in the context of the EURECA pilot program.
• Visiting Faculty Program (VFP)
  The Visiting Faculty Program assists U.S. colleges and universities in strengthening their curricula in foreign languages and area studies.
• Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan (YLP)
  Applications are now available for those students, teachers, and community leaders interested in applying for the Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan (YLP). YLP is short term cultural and educational exchange program, the Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by American Councils. The program focuses on expanding relationships between the people of the U.S. and Azerbaijan and aims at strengthening ties between the two countries.
• Youth Solidarity and English Language Program (YSEL)
  American Councils for International Education, building on its extensive experience and addressing the critical need for programs that meet the U.S. Embassy’s public affairs priority of promoting people to people ties, is conducting a four-week Youth Solidarity and English Language Immersion (YSEL) Camp for young Afghans.

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