- American Councils opened its office in Tirana, the capital city of Albania, in 2003 with the launch of the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP). Since then, American Councils in Albania has administered an array of programs, including JFDP, World Bank projects, various outbound programs, and the YES program.AC Albania works closely with the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, as well as with the Ministry of Education and Sports, boards of education, high schools and other community partners and… Read More
- Skopje is the capital city of North Macedonia, the birthplace of Mother Teresa, and home to American Councils North Macedonia since 2003. Today, AC North Macedonia offers programming for high school exchange students from North Macedonia and the U.S., and hosts an internship program for Lehigh University.AC North Macedonia cooperates with the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia, American Corners, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Macedonian American Alumni Association,… Read More
- Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe in the Balkan Peninsula, bordering the Black Sea, Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Greece, and Türkiye. Sofia is the capital and the biggest city.American Councils established a presence in Sofia in 2008 with the launch of the YES program and further expanded to a fully-independent location in 2016 with the addition of YES Abroad. AC Bulgaria has built a wide network among partners including the U.S. Embassy, American Corners, Fulbright, American… Read More
- While American Councils has worked with local partners in Senegal since 2007, AC Senegal officially opened its doors in Dakar in 2015. The capital city of Dakar is located on the Atlantic Coast and is home to nearly 3 million residents in the metropolitan area. Our most active projects in Senegal are the Youth Exchange and Study (YES and YES Abroad) programs, both funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The merit-based scholarships bring… Read More
- With over 60 percent of Uzbekistan’s population being under the age of 30, the youth of Uzbekistan have the potential to transform the country through their contributions to the labor market. To accomplish this, Uzbekistan’s youth require support to secure or create employment in the existing job market, and to develop the skills they need in the job market of the future economy. YES aims to improve the quality of school-based economics and entrepreneurship programs and after-school soft skills… Read More
- Through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, high school students from countries of strategic importance around the world live and study for an academic year in the United States. YES students serve as “youth ambassadors” of their home country by forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities. Participants live with a host family, attend an American high school, acquire leadership skills, and engage in activities to… Read More
- Lisa Choate, President and CEOLisa Choate was appointed President and CEO of American Councils in February 2024. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Choate served as Executive Vice President of American Councils, a leadership role she has held since 2012. With 35 years’ experience managing and guiding the organization, Ms. Choate’s executive management and leadership responsibilities date back to 1987 when she opened the organization’s first office in Washington, DC. Throughout her career, Ms.… Read More
- Lisa Choate, President and CEOLisa Choate was appointed President and CEO of American Councils in February 2024. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Choate served as Executive Vice President of American Councils, a leadership role she has held since 2012. With 35 years’ experience managing and guiding the organization, Ms. Choate’s executive management and leadership responsibilities date back to 1987 when she opened the organization’s first office in Washington, DC. Throughout her career, Ms.… Read More
- Nearly 90 percent of today's 20 million college undergraduates miss out on the opportunity to study abroad. That means, far too often, students do not receive the chance to develop global competencies and cross-cultural understanding. When 94 percent of US companies with international operations state a desire for a workforce with global competencies, there is a real missed opportunity at stake.As college and university faculty, you are on the front line of today's study abroad challenge; and… Read More
- “Life-changing” - that’s how Heath Vickerman, a longtime host parent and local coordinator with American Councils, describes the experience of welcoming exchange students into his home in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. More than a dozen former students across the globe still call Heath and his wife, Tina, “Mom” and “Dad.” While exchange programs are often viewed as benefiting the students themselves, the experience is equally enriching for host families. To date, over 40,000 students from… Read More
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