- 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
- On Thursday, February 29, American Councils for International Education gathered partners and stakeholders to welcome Ms. Lisa Choate as the organization's new President and CEO. The following are remarks made by Ms. Choate to the event attendees.Thank you all for gathering here today to mark the beginning of my presidency at American Councils. After 36 years at American Councils, I am happy to serve the organization in this capacity and look forward to all that is ahead. I would like to… Read More
- Editor's note: In 1996, Thomas Burns decided to take his study of the Russian language to the next level by spending a semester in St. Petersburg and what is now the Russian Language and Area Studies Program. Since then, he's lived and worked in several other countries while building his career as a visual storyteller. Today, he is based in Tbilisi, Georgia. Why did you decide to study abroad in Russia?I had been studying Russian at college in the US, but I just wasn’t happy with… Read More
- While host families provide international students with transforming opportunities for language and personal development—the experience can be equally rewarding for participating families. Each day is a chance to appreciate new perspectives and welcome an exchange student into their community. U.S. host families include single parents, couples without children, military families, empty nesters, and retirees. “The main thing that matters is your heart for hosting and desire to learn about other… Read More
- For Abena Amoakuh, persistence has made all the difference. She had been studying Spanish since kindergarten but decided to switch to Chinese in college to support her interest in a business career. The language was a challenge, and when she studied abroad in China during her junior year, she often let local friends take the lead when language skills were required. Looking for a more intensive language experience, she applied for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program that summer… Read More
- At the Eastern-Europe FLEX-Ability Workshop in Kvareli, Georgia, 62 alumni of the Future Leaders of Exchange program known as FLEX gathered at the Ministry of Justice Training Center. Alumni representing the past nine years of the FLEX program travelled to the workshop from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine with a shared goal: take a community need and transform it into a social enterprise using entrepreneurial skills, technology, and STEAM techniques. (STEAM is science,… Read More
- Habib Debaya, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study student From Tunisia; Hosted in Nebraska As he waited for his meeting with a staffer from Senator Deb Fischer's office, Habib explained that he was proud to be hosted in Nebraska. He has taken five AP courses at his high school, including macroeconomics and government, and he has learned how to play American football. When the staffer asked him to describe his program, he was ready. “Everyone gets a different experience, but it’s all… Read More
- 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… Read More
- Dear Friends and Supporters, After an extensive search that engaged the expertise of our dedicated Board as well as numerous external and internal stakeholders, American Councils and its Trustees are excited to announce that it has chosen an exceptional, visionary, and proven leader in international education to lead American Councils. As of January 31, 2024, Ms. Lisa Choate will become American Councils’ fourth, and first female, President and Chief Executive Officer. When Ms. Choate… Read More
Sign up for our newsletter.