In the stately Longworth House Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. where Congressional Representatives and their staff work and convene over 50 people gathered to attend a briefing held by the International Exchange and Study Caucus. The event focused on the importance of international exchange and study programs, particularly those sponsored by the US Department of State's Bureau of Intercultural and Educational Affairs (ECA).
Coordinated by the Alliance for International Exchange, an advocacy association that represents 90 US-based international exchange organizations, the caucus briefing was co-chaired by US Rep. Steve Peace (R-MN) and Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) a reminder that educational issues tend to bypass party lines.
The Alliance's Executive Director Ilir Zherka moderated the briefing, which included a panel of organizational advocates for international exchange followed by a panel of citizens who have been impacted by international exchange, including a high school principal and an American Councils local coordinator who helps to recruit American host families for international scholarship students.
American Councils Executive Vice President Lisa Choate joined the first panel to speak about the value of secondary school programs that American Councils administers on behalf of ECA: the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), the Youth Exchange and Study (YES), and the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y).
Choate not only demonstrated the numerical impact of these programs, which support more than 2,500 students each year during immersive international learning experiences, but also the personal impact these students create wherever they go.
These programs don't just change individual lives, but entire communities: sometimes in ways that seem unfathomable or unlikely. Like the FLEX student who ate sushi for the first time in his host city of Las Vegas and returned to his home country of Kazakhstan landlocked, no less determined to open a sushi restaurant. Or the alumni named to BBC's list of 100 Top Women or the Year and other international awards, or the countless alumni who have gone on to hold prominent positions in their governments or in business.
Each program whether it brings students to the United States or sends an American student to another country to learn a critical world language contains a multitude of stories just like those of Almas, Jeffrey, Leigh, or Olga.
Beyond these stories that make us laugh, smile, and sometimes cry, international exchange programs change countries as people-to-people interactions shape attitudes, values, and understanding in ways beyond what happens behind closed doors of policymakers or through foreign policy alone.
SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT EXCHANGE
- Whether you are an educator, a parent, or a concerned citizen, make sure your local high school knows about the scholarship programs that are available for their students, as well as about the opportunity to host an international exchange student.
- Share information about exchange opportunities with your local elected officials, school boards, and community leaders.
- Volunteer to host an international exchange student in your home during an academic year.
- Join the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #ExchangesImpact and follow @AC_Global to learn more about our mission and values.
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Photos by Bilal Kahn, American Councils