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- Breadcrumb International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Current and emerging foreign leaders visit the U.S. to exchange best practices in their professional field. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the United States’ premier professional exchange program. For over 80 years, it has provided firsthand knowledge about U.S. society, culture, and politics to current and emerging foreign leaders. By connecting international leaders to their American counterparts, participants cultivate lasting relationships reflecting their professional interests and supporting the foreign policy goals of the United States. American Councils is one of eight national program agencies administering IVLP.The three-week-long programs are carefully designed as an opportunity for participants to expand their professional network and knowledge base, as well as develop leadership skills through professional site visits, interactive workshops, speaking engagements, and cultural activities. Outside of Washington, DC, American Councils partners with local non-profit organizations and members of Global Ties U.S., to deliver diverse and enriching experiences for IVLP participants. Program themes have included agriculture, cybersecurity, international crime, climate change challenges, good governance, journalism, interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution, democracy and human rights, and female political and economic leaders.Each year nearly 5,000 IVLP participants come to the U.S. More than 200,000 international visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former chiefs of state or heads of government.There is no application for IVLP. Participants are nominated and selected annually by the staff at U.S. Embassies around the world.American Councils is one of eight national program agencies and is proud to work with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to administer IVLP. EmailIVLP@americancouncils.org IVLP | Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (state.gov)
- Breadcrumb Uzbekistan Youth Employment Skills (YES) Activity The Uzbekistan Youth Employment Skills (YES) Activity seeks to provide youth in Uzbekistan with the necessary knowledge and skills they need to contribute successfully to the country’s economic and social development as competent employees or entrepreneurs. 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 and work readiness programs. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and private sector stakeholders, YES creates opportunities for hands-on training, job shadowing, and mentorship opportunities. YES provides special attention to empowering women, girls, and youth with disabilities. Uzbekistan Youth Employment Skills (YES) Activity Fact Sheet Funded by USAID, Uzbekistan Youth Employment Skills (YES) Activity is implemented by American Councils for International Education as the lead organization, along with a consortium of partners including Startup Innovation, Sharoit Plus, and ERGO Analytics. Travis Gartner Chief of Party Youth Employment Skills Activity Emailtgartner@americancouncils.org
- Programs March 14, 2018 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) Exceptional high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations spend a year as an exchange student in the U.S., attending high school and living with an American host family.
- Programs March 14, 2018 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) U.S. high school students spend a summer or academic year immersed in a critical world language and culture.
- Breadcrumb Korean Intensive Summer Language Program (KISLP) Students embark on a comprehensive journey into one of the world’s oldest living languages through the expert pedagogy and engaging cultural workshops presented by faculty at Chungbuk National University (CBNU) in Cheongju, South Korea. The Korean Intensive Summer Language Program (KISLP) offers an immersive experience for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who have studied Korean for at least one year at the university level. The program provides 140 hours of intensive Korean language instruction, complemented by cultural immersion activities. Participants reside in university dormitories, where they are paired with CBNU peers as conversation partners, facilitating new friendships and engagement with the university community. Participants also connect with local host families for special occasions and meals. This arrangement enriches their language skills and cultural understanding, offering unique insights into daily Korean life. The curriculum is designed to deepen linguistic skills and cultural insights, integrating classroom learning with practical experiences. Cultural excursions and interactions with local families enrich participants' immersion in Korean life. Eligibility criteria include at least two semesters of university-level Korean or the equivalent and a GPA of 2.7 or higher. All participants must be at least 18 years old by the start date of the program. All KISLP applicants may apply to receive financial aid through the Judith Ehm Foundation Fellowship. The Judith Ehm Foundation Fellowship was established in honor of Judith Ehm, a trailblazing Korean American entrepreneur and businesswoman who was dedicated to community, equity, and diversity. Applicants selected for Fellowships will receive a minimum of $5,000 toward the program cost, with the potential for full funding to be awarded to exceptional applicants demonstrating additional financial need. Merritt Huang Emailmhuang@americancouncils.org Website AC Study Abroad
- Programs March 26, 2024 South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative Boren recipients receive intensive language instruction to reach professional proficiency in select South Asian languages.
- Breadcrumb Insider Tours Embrace the Adventure with American Councils Insider Tours: Bridging Cultures & Creating Memories For 50 years, American Councils has been dedicated to connecting Americans with the less traveled corners of the world through educational development and language exchange programs, enriching the lives of students and professionals alike. For the last decade, we have offered the same transformative opportunities to our dedicated supporters through our Insider Tours. American Councils Insider Tours are 10- to 12-day travel programs offering an immersive and personalized encounter with the countries, cultures, and peoples we've passionately engaged with for decades. Led by our experienced staff and alumni residing and working in these regions and U.S. based staff, Insider Tours have taken participants beyond the ordinary, exploring both renowned attractions and hidden gems, from museums to off-the-beaten-path sites since 2013. Crafted to cater to the interests of our well-versed volunteers and supporters, as well as those eager to learn more about these fascinating destinations, our Insider Tours ensure a comprehensive understanding of the history, politics, and language of each destination. Participants will gain nuanced insights into the unique cultural landscapes, fostering a deeper appreciation for the tapestry of these nations. Insider Tour itineraries are carefully curated, featuring meetings with American Councils' alumni, staff, and local friends, along with other points of interest tailored to the travel group's preferences. Expect an array of experiences, from fabulous food and wine tastings to lasting memories amid historical sites. Our Insider Tours offer genuine opportunities to connect with the heart and soul of communities abroad, providing firsthand insight into how international education experiences can catalyze positive change. Previous Insider Tours have showcased the culture, cuisine, history, and American Councils connections in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosova, North Macedonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Join us on an Insider Tour and let the journey unfold, bridging cultures, creating memories, and fostering global friendships that transcend borders. Your adventure awaits! Upcoming Insider ToursSeptember 14-25, 2024: Georgia CLICK HERE FOR BROCHURERegister for Georgia Insider TourApril 2025: Albania and Kosova (Brochure and registration form available May 1, 2024.)October 2025: Uzbekistan (Brochure and registration form coming soon.)Subscribe to the Insider Tours mailing list Emailinsidertours@americancouncils.org
- Programs January 05, 2024 Educational Leadership Development Program The Educational Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is a two-year program dedicated to fostering pedagogical and educational leadership advancements among
- Breadcrumb BridgeUSA Ukrainian Academic Fellows Program The BridgeUSA Ukrainian Academic Fellows Program (BridgeUSA UAFP) builds links between Ukrainian and U.S. scholars for long-term collaboration in such areas as joint research, shared pedagogy, course development, and publication. The program’s long-term goal is to help Ukrainian universities educate and train professionals critical to the country’s recovery and reconstruction through lasting, productive collaboration with U.S. institutions of higher education. Fellows are matched with faculty mentors at a U.S. institution of higher education with whom they develop individualized, collaborative programs to meet their specific needs as researchers and educators seeking to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to rebuild. The program includes a month-long visit to a U.S. university where scholars may engage in research, observe classes in their field of study, develop new courses or course materials, deliver presentations and lectures, explore U.S. higher education administrative policies and culture, and attend conferences in their academic fields. Fellows are expected to return to Ukraine empowered to help address the significant challenges facing Ukraine’s higher education institutions and strengthen Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts through teaching and research. As part of its efforts to support Ukraine’s revitalization, BridgeUSA UAFP seeks to foster mutual understanding, educational ties, and professional networks between the United States and Ukraine. Follow the program updates on our social media: The BridgeUSA Ukrainian Academic Fellows Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) with additional funding provided by U.S. host institutions. The program is administered by the American Councils for International Education. Marta Tomakhiv Emailuafp@americancouncils.org
- Breadcrumb Afghan Alumni Engagement American Councils for International Education is honored to continue its efforts to provide peaceful educational activities to Afghans through Afghan Alumni Engagement (AAE) programming, funded by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State, Mission to Afghanistan. AAE aims to help Afghan alumni connect with each other and with alumni in other countries, as well as broader networks in the U.S., Central and South Asia, and other places. Alumni, who number over 7,000 come from programs such as (but not limited to) Fulbright, the International Visitor Leadership Program, academic exchanges, university scholarships, English language and youth leadership programs, and many more. Alumni represent a diverse group of former government and civil society and private sector leaders and professionals, as well as youth, students, and emerging influencers with the potential to shape Afghanistan's future. Afghan Alumni Engagement programming contributes to five key objectives:
- Enhancing communication and coordination among exchange program alumni on priority topics,
- Helping individual alumni deliver security-sensitive community projects through small grants,
- Encouraging mentorship and professional networking among Afghans in Afghanistan and in communities where they live,
- Gathering and sharing information about alumni contributions to their communities, reflecting U.S. policy priorities, and
- Providing a safe space for self-expression and developing cultural appreciation for Afghan alumni.