American Councils for International Education

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Not to be confused with American Council on Education.
American Council for International Education
Established1974; 50 years ago (1974)
TypeEducation policy nonprofit
Legal status501(c)(3)
Purposeeducation, multiculturism, activism, peacekeeping, etc.
Headquarters1828 L St, NW
Location
  • Washington, D.C., United States
Region served
worldwide
President
Lisa Choate
Websitewww.americancouncils.org
Foreign exchange students meeting officials at the U.S. Department of State during the Civic Education Workshop, administered by American Councils.
Foreign exchange students meeting with the office of John Hickenlooper, senator of Colorado at the Russell Senate building as part of the Civic Education Workshop, administered by American Councils.

American Councils for International Education (commonly American Councils) is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1974, the organization administers various programs designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and facilitate educational opportunities worldwide through international education, academic exchange, and research.[1][2][3]

History[edit]

American Councils was established in 1974 with the mission of expanding academic exchanges between the United States and countries around the world. Initially focusing on educational programs with the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe during the Cold War, the organization has since expanded its scope to encompass regions across the globe.[4]

Programs[edit]

American Councils offers a diverse range of programs for students, educators, professionals, and policymakers. These programs include:

  • Study Abroad Programs: AC facilitates study abroad opportunities for American students in various countries, allowing them to immerse themselves in foreign languages and cultures while pursuing academic coursework.[5]
  • Language Immersion Programs: Through partnerships with educational institutions and language centers worldwide, AC organizes language immersion programs designed to enhance participants' proficiency in languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and more.
  • Scholarship Programs: The organization administers scholarship programs like the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study, Future Leaders Exchange, Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange and others to support international students seeking to study in the United States, as well as American students pursuing academic endeavors abroad.[6]
  • Professional Exchanges: AC coordinates professional exchange programs for educators, researchers, and professionals in fields such as education, public policy, and cultural heritage preservation, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing internationally.[7][8]
  • Research and Evaluation: AC conducts research and evaluation initiatives to assess the impact of international education programs and inform best practices in the field. This includes studies on language acquisition, cultural competency, and educational policy.

Partnerships[edit]

American Councils collaborates with government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private sector partners to implement its programs and initiatives.[9][10][11]

Impact[edit]

American Councils has played a significant role in advancing global understanding and cooperation through educational exchange. By providing opportunities for individuals to engage with different cultures, languages, and academic disciplines, the organization has contributed to the development of a more interconnected and informed global community.[12][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "American Councils". CSIET. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  2. ^ "Future Leaders Exchange Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary". www.thegazelle.org. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  3. ^ J, Smith (2018). "Promoting Cultural Exchange: The Role of American Councils for International Education". Journal of International Education Studies. 12 (3): 45–56.
  4. ^ Huber, Robert T. (2004). "A History of the American Councils for International Education". The Carl Beck Papers in Russian and East European Studies. 0 (1703): 70. doi:10.5195/cbp.2004.124. ISSN 2163-839X.
  5. ^ "6 ASU students receive Department of State's Critical Languages Scholarship | ASU News". news.asu.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  6. ^ Sofia, U. S. Embassy (2023-06-14). "YES Program Say "Yes" to YES! From the 1st of August, you can apply again for the 2024–2025 YES program". U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  7. ^ "Ukrainian Entrepreneur Fellow Finds Inspiration and Mentorship at GW's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship | GW Today | The George Washington University". GW Today. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  8. ^ Uzbekistan, U. S. Mission (2023-06-23). "The Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the United States Embassy Welcomes 40 English Language Teaching Experts to Uzbekistan". U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  9. ^ "American Councils for International Education". EducationUSA. 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  10. ^ Poland, U. S. Mission (2022-08-26). "First Delegations of Open World Program in the U.S." U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Poland. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  11. ^ Uzbekistan, U. S. Mission (2023-05-18). "American Corner Namangan opens, invites visitors to learn about the United States". U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  12. ^ Armenia, U. S. Mission (2019-12-13). "American Councils Announces USG Alumni Summit". U.S. Embassy in Armenia. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  13. ^ Biggs, Julia. "Exchange students taking home memories". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
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