- In 2024, the American Councils community marked the 50th anniversary of advancing international education, cultural exchange, language immersion, professional development and work skills training, and educational innovation. From Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus to Central Asia, West Africa, and the Pacific, our global network came together with partners, volunteers, and alumni to celebrate half a century of fostering connections between countries and cultures. These regional… Read More
- The impact of American Councils is reflected in its global community of over 100,000 alumni. These distinguished individuals, including national leaders, ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, and CEOs, demonstrate the organization's commitment to enhancing cross-cultural collaboration in our interconnected world.Among these dedicated alumni are those who have forged careers in international education at American Councils. Transitioning from participants to leaders within the… Read More
- When Jelena Jevtic first heard about the UN Youth Assembly, she wasn't sure if she should apply.But she did. She will be one of more than 1,000 students from around the world involved in the prestigious gathering next month in New York City.Born in Serbia, Jelena is a senior at Bluefield State College in West Virginia, where as the student government association president she has spearheaded the celebration of UN Day, International Women's Day, as well as the first-ever recycling initiatives on… Read More
- American Councils Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) opened in Sarajevo in 2003 with the launch of a fellowship for newly-minted university instructors. In the ensuing years, AC BiH has administered and supported international scholarships for hundreds of educators and other professionals, as well as college and high school students. Our office works closely with the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, including its branch offices in Banja Luka, and maintains relationships with BiH’s 13 ministries of… Read More
- As an American living in Belgrade, Serbia for the past two years, my daily life is a paradox of passing anti-American graffiti and placards mourning those killed in the 1999 NATO bombings as I walk to the homes of Serbian friends who welcome me warmly. To friends in Serbia, I am an American, but not America. To those who don't know me, I am merely a representative of the United States an American conflated with America for better or worse.In Belgrade, taxi drivers speak openly about their fear… Read More
- WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) recently paid tribute to the historic accomplishments of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, and highlighted the profound impact that alumni of the programs have had on their home and host communities.American Councils for International Education and its Center for Global Leadership (CGL) were… Read More
- PR: Art has kind have been my biggest passion since I was a toddler. When I found out I got into YES Abroad I was really bummed because I thought it was not going to be a part of my life that was compatible with studying abroad. I would bring a sketchbook and I would doodle, but I wouldn’t be able to do art. I wouldn't have the corner of my room where all my paintings are and stuff like that.I was really bummed about that, but it was a sacrifice that I was willing to make.But when I got to… Read More
- Stray dogs are a common sight in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The large number of dogs without homes makes it particularly difficult for the local government to provide shelter for all, with estimates putting the stray dog population close to 11,000.American high school students living in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the YES Abroad high school exchange year joined forces with young Bosnians from the YES alumni network to raise money for a local dog shelter in… Read More
- Growing up in the capital city of Macedonia, Emir Hasanovic learned about America through pop culture and Hollywood.When he applied for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program in 2008, social media did not have the same level of prominence that it does today. After he was accepted, he imagined how his American story would unfold.He assumed he would be placed in a big city, like he had seen in movies – New York City or Chicago. He was placed in Lyle, Minnesota.In 2008, the… Read More
- Angela Gjekanovikj isn’t an ambassador yet, but she’s been practicing for years.She was only a teenager when she traveled from Skopje, Macedonia, to Bakersfield, California, to start her academic year abroad with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program.“It was the moment I stepped out of the plane I started sharing Macedonia,” she said with a laugh, during a recent phone interview. “In Macedonia we kiss (three times), and I kissed all of them.”Her host parents and host sister, armed… Read More
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