- Tell us a story about your program experience. By far the most rewarding experience I had in Russia was speaking with my host mother for the first time completely in Russian. The exchange itself was remarkably ordinary, but to me it was groundbreaking. Before heading to Russia, I could barely say the word "hello." My journey to a full-fledged conversation was hard-won and so very gratifying. The interaction inspired a new confidence in my fledgling Russian abilities and carried me through… Read More
- KYIV – The former president of Bulgaria spoke at the American Councils office in Ukraine, this week, as part of a special envoy promoting educational opportunities between the two countries. The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) organized “The Future of Leadership” event, which featured an address by former President Rosen Plevneliev, who pointed out proudly that AUBG is located in his hometown of Blagoevgrad. Mr. Plevneliev’s time in office saw major foreign investments in Bulgaria and… Read More
- What story do you tell the most when people ask, "What was your program like?"The Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program allowed me to explore and experience a region of the world that I never thought I would have an opportunity to see, let alone live in for four months. What turned out to have the biggest impact on the experience for me was being able to be a part of American public diplomacy in Kazakhstan. When I was in Almaty I volunteered in an English language conversation… Read More
- Our organization was founded in 1974 as an exchange program between scholars from the United States and the former Soviet Union. We’ve changed a lot since then. So has that part of the world. What’s remained the same is our determination to offer excellent educational opportunities and exchanges for the scholars, professionals, and language learners who are helping to shape the world. Today, our programs range from internships for emerging professionals in Albania to cultural… Read More
- Funded by U.S. Congress and administered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership, the Open World Program brings emerging leaders from Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan to the United States for 10 days of intensive exchange with their professional counterparts.Open World topics have included accountable governance, NGO development and management, public health, economic development, and the environment. In addition, Open World… Read More
- With funds from the U.S. Department of State, Title VIII provides grants for independent, policy-relevant research abroad in the humanities and social sciences as well as language training. In recent years, American Councils scholars have conducted independent research in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosova, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan,… Read More
- American Councils runs EducationUSA advising centers in 17 locations in Eurasia and Central Asia. These centers provide advising services, orientation, and information on opportunities for foreign students and scholars to study at American colleges and universities; the purpose of which is to increase student mobility between the United States and other countries by providing support to the worldwide EducationUSA network of advising centers.Stateside, American Councils provides support to U.S.… Read More
- Through eight-week, English-language internships, participants gain the professional experience and intercultural communication skills demanded by today’s global market.Internships are available in 19 countries and across a variety of fields, including business, democracy building, human rights, education, science, technology, journalism, health, and social services.The OPIT program draws on an extensive network of community partners, expert regional staff, and overseas resources developed by… Read More
- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program provides merit-based scholarships for eligible American high school students to study and live overseas in select YES countries for an academic year. The YES Abroad program was initiated in 2009 as a reciprocal extension of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for international students from countries around the world.YES Abroad students serve as youth ambassadors of… Read More
- The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States.Since its inception in 2004, approximately 150,000 students in… Read More