Directory of U.S. Department of State Educational and Cultural Exchange Opportunities

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) supports the development of peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational, cultural, and professional exchanges that present U.S. history, society, art, and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. ECA works in countries around the world in cooperation with the Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies.

As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) work at the grassroots level toward sustainable change that lives on long after their service—at the same time becoming global citizens and serving their country. When they return home, Volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences—and a global outlook—that enriches the lives of those around them.

Together, ECA and the Peace Corps have compiled this resource guide that outlines international exchange and scholarship opportunities for a variety of audiences, including Peace Corps Volunteers; students, counterparts, and other members of the communities in which the Peace Corps serves; Peace Corps post staff; and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). The opportunities are free. Volunteers should not receive any compensation for assisting youth to identify or apply for them.

Who Should Use This Guide

1. Peace Corps Volunteers
Volunteers can promote ECA programs among youth, counterparts, and community members and:

• Identify young leaders, students, teachers, and professionals in the communities where Volunteers serve as candidates for ECA exchange programs. To view all exchange and educational opportunities, visit ECA’s study abroad website: exchanges.state.gov.
• Assist students, teachers, and community members to apply for exchange programs or to pursue U.S. higher education study opportunities.
•  Invite ECA exchange participants or alumni to classrooms as teaching resources, or collaborate on community development and service projects.
• Connect with participants in some of these programs for classroom, cultural enrichment, or service learning activities. Participating high school and college students are often interested in learning more about the Peace Corps and the first-hand experiences of Volunteers.
• Collaborate with Embassy English language programs and access English teaching materials and resources at americanenglish.state.gov.
• Work with American Spaces as a platform for programs and information resources. 

2. Peace Corps Post Staff
Peace Corps post staff can contact the Public Affairs Section at the Embassy and:

• Invite the Public Affairs Section to brief Peace Corps Volunteers on ECA opportunities during training sessions and other Volunteer events.
• Determine if there are programmatic synergies and opportunities for Volunteers to get involved with ECA programs. 
• Learn about available resources, such as American Spaces and English language materials and programs.

3. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
RPCVs can explore post-Peace Corps opportunities such as:

• Exchange opportunities such as English Language Fellows, Fulbright English Teaching Assistants, and Critical Language Scholarships (studyabroad.state.gov).
• Employment and internships with the U.S. State Department (careers.state.gov).
• Host an ECA-sponsored international high school exchange student in your home or school (hosting.state.gov).
• Help make American high school students aware of ECA-sponsored study abroad scholarships (exchanges.state.gov).

How to Use This Guide

This guide provides a list of U.S. Department of State cultural exchange and educational opportunities available in each Peace Corps country. Opportunities include those for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, for English language learning, and for different age and education groups. Readers can identify exchange programs by country, and then learn about the programs in more detail. All listings are in alphabetical order. Note that program locations are subject to change.

How to Learn More

For more information on the exchange programs in each Peace Corps country, please review the associated program website or exchanges.state.gov. Peace Corps post staff should contact the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy for more information about countryspecific criteria and opportunities. Peace Corps Volunteers should contact their director of programming and training at post for more information and should not reach out directly to the Embassy.