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If you want a general idea of what it's like to study in the United States, there are several good places to begin your research to find the program that is just right for you.
The first is the If You Want to Study in the United States series of four publications for aspiring exchange students issued by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State. The individual volumes in the series deal with undergraduate study; graduate and professional study and research; and short-term study, English-language programs, distance education, and accreditation. Plus, there's a volume of practical information on living and studying in the United States. Most of these books are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
[http://educationusa.state.gov/pubs.htm]
The U.S. Department of Education Web site, the U.S. Network for Education Information, describes opportunities for international exchange programs at the high school, college, and graduate levels. [http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-study-us.html]
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs maintains a global network of more than 450 advising and information centers in 170 countries. These Educational Advising Centers "actively promote U.S. higher education around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, objective, and timely information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those opportunities." The centers' Web site covers accreditation, finding a school, visa information, financial assistance, Fulbright scholarships, and specific ECA programs.
[http://educationusa.state.gov/centers/]
VIDEO FEATURE Experiential Learning World Learning is a U.S.-based non-profit organization with operations in 77 countries and a 75-year history in international exchange programs that have involved more than 100,000 individuals. The World Learning approach emphasizes learning by experience, as these students explain in an excerpt from a World Learning film. (Used With Permission) Learn more about World Learning at http://worldlearning.org/ |
We've arranged brief descriptions of some exchange and study programs in four sections below: exchange programs for secondary school students; for college, university, and graduate school students; for students and professionals; and for English-language study programs and internships. Again, this list represents just a sampling of the many programs that may be available to you and should be considered only a starting point for your research.
Programs for Secondary School Students
AFS Intercultural Programs (AFS): For 13- to 18-year-olds, the AFS programs provide opportunities to spend a semester or a year in the United States. American Field Service is one of the oldest cultural exchange organizations, with more than 11,000 students, young adults, and teachers participating each year.
[http://www.afs.org/afs_or/home]
AFS and its overseas affiliate offices recruit secondary students for the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program from Brunei, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Turkey.
[http://www.yesprograms.org/]
American Councils for International Education:American Councils administers a variety of cultural exchange, study abroad, and research programs on behalf of both public and private funders. Participation in these programs is through an open, merit-based competition and facilitates mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and South Asia.
American Councils recruits secondary students from the republics of the former Soviet Union for the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program and recruits secondary students from Afghanistan for the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program.
[http://www.americancouncils.org/programList.php]
AYUSA International: AYUSA is a leading nonprofit organization promoting global learning and leadership through foreign exchange student programs. Since 1980, AYUSA has provided more than 40,000 high school students and host families with foreign exchange programs to build bridges of international friendship.
The AYUSA Consortium, through its international partners, recruits secondary students for the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program from Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Gaza, Iraq, Israel (Arab Community), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Senegal, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank, and Yemen.
[http://www.ayusa.org/about/grants?grant=yes]
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): CIEE's USA High School program offers a 10-month academic year or a five-month academic semester program in a U.S. high school. Students ages 15 to 18 live with a prearranged host family as they attend school.
[http://www.ciee.org/representatives/opportunities/usa_hs/index.asp]
Cultural Homestay International: For secondary school students from more than 40 countries, this organization offers group home stays, academic high school placement, au pair, and work experience programs.
[http://www.chinet.org/]
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Global Youth Village: This international summer camp exchange program links 13- to 18-year olds from 98 participating countries in "an experience in global citizenship" in a recreational atmosphere.
[http://www.globalyouthvillage.org/]
Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS): IRIS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and located in Ames, Iowa. Its mission is to promote international education, development, and peace through rural initiatives. IRIS conducts various programs that bring students, journalists, business people, educators, and government leaders from Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia to Iowa. While in Iowa, the international participants stay with Iowa families, study in Iowa schools, intern in Iowa businesses, and become involved in community activities.
IRIS recruits secondary students for the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program from Nigeria and Tanzania.
[http://www.iris-center.org/CurrentProjects.htm]
Pacific Intercultural Exchange (P.I.E.) Program: P.I.E. offers semester or academic-year secondary school exchange opportunities for students ages 15 to 18, with prearranged home stays.
[http://www.pieusa.org/homestay_exchange.asp]
Rotary Youth Exchange: This nonprofit service organization offers home stay/academic programs to secondary school students ages 15 to 19. Students must be sponsored by a Rotary International chapter in their home country.
[http://www.rotary.org/programs/youth_ex/index.html]
Programs for College and University Students
Undergraduate Study: This Web site is based on the first in the series of four booklets for international students, If You Want to Study in the United States, published by the Department of State's ECA Bureau. The Undergraduate Study site covers how to choose and apply to U.S. bachelor's and associate degree programs, as well as information on technical and vocational educational opportunities in the United States.
[http://educationusa.state.gov/undergrad.htm]
EduPASS! The Smart Student Guide to Studying in the USA: EduPass is a clearinghouse of information for potential exchange students to the United States offering information on college admissions, passports and visas, traveling, budgeting, and culture shock.
[http://www.edupass.org]
International Education Service (IES): IES assists students in finding an appropriate college or university in the United States The site includes a listing of universities and colleges interested in attracting students from abroad, as well as information for educational advisers.
[http://www.ies-ed.com]
Programs for Graduate School Students: The graduate study volume published by the Department of State's ECA Bureau describes how to research and apply to U.S. master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral degree programs, and provides information on certification and licensing procedures for professionals who wish to further their education or practice in the United States.
[http://educationusa.state.gov/graduate.htm]
Programs for Students and Professionals
American Council for Collaboration in Education and Language Study (ACCELS): ACCELS administers cultural exchange, study abroad, and research programs to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and South Asia.
[http://www.americancouncils.org/programList.php]
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST): AMIDEAST offers a number of exchange programs for men and women from 10 Middle Eastern countries participating at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
[http://www.amideast.org/programs_services/exchange_programs/default.htm]
Youth Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State: Aspiring international exchange students can search this Web site for exchange programs based on region, program type, or program duration.
[http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/programs/]
The Foundation for Worldwide International Student Exchange (WISE): WISE specializes in arranging academic programs and home stays for Asian, European, and South American student travelers coming to the United States.[http://wise.wisefoundation.com]
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Institute of International Education (IIE): The IIE's program portal provides information on 316 exchange programs serving more than 20,000 individuals each year. The IIE provides resources for students, scholars, educators, and university or college advisers, plus research on international education issues. The IIE is also the administrator of the State Department-sponsored Fulbright program, which provides funding for students and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, and other opportunities.
[http://www.iie.org//Content/NavigationMenu/Programs_Portal/Browse_Programs/Non-US_Student_Programs.htm]
English-Language Study Program and Internship Information
Intensive English USA is the leading source of information in this area for international students who are researching study abroad opportunities in the United States. The directory is published by the Institute of International Education and distributed globally through the U.S. Department of State's Education USA Advising Centers. In addition to the printed directory, Intensive English USA Online serves as an interactive database for international students and educational advising centers.
[http://www.intensiveenglishusa.com/]
Study in the USA!: This Web site is described as an education guide for international students at secondary school and college levels who are looking for an "intensive English" curriculum. [http://wwwstudyusa.com/]
USArts International Training Program: USArts International Training and Internship Program places international and U.S. students and postgraduates with arts and culture-related organizations to complete valuable on-the-job training and internships in the United States. [http://www.usartstraining.org/intlstep.php]
The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and availability of the resources from other agencies and organizations. All Internet links were active as of July 2007.
