Why Participate?

When you experience a different culture you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you—deepening your knowledge about the world in a way that books, school assignments, and a professional career can never reveal.

Make Lasting Connections

Create lasting connections on your exchange experience when you connect with members of your host family or the friends you will meet at your host institution. The world is full of new people to meet, so be sure to reach out and make an effort to smile, talk to people, and make time to cultivate friendships you may have the rest of your life. By doing this, you become aware of the inner concerns, hopes, and dreams of a family, a neighborhood or city, a nation, and global community. And with this realization comes the corresponding knowledge of what it means to belong to your own particular country and culture.

"I have grown more than I could have ever imagined, and have learned things that couldn't have been taught in a classroom." Jeffrey B., U.S. Participant

Learn New Skills

As an exchange participant you will develop leadership skills, self-confidence, and a greater understanding of the complexities of the world around you. Getting to know the local citizens, experiencing their culture, and living as they do; these are things tourists miss, and this is where you really discover the way of life in another country with all its subtleties.

Embark on your educational or cultural exchange program and gain knowledge about another country and its language and culture. Experience building new friendships, taking responsibility for yourself, respecting differences, and tolerating the beliefs of others.

In their own words

Jeffrey Bierman
Jeffrey B. Participant Secondary/High School Students United States Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Germany Read the story

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Diversity Statement

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs statement on diversity.

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