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Education & Exchanges
Overview
OPEN Program
Education & Exchanges
English Language Programs
Alumni

Overview

Learn, exchange experiences, develop, and work. The U.S. Department of State offers numerous programs for foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States for cultural, educational, or professional exchange. These programs are complemented by local opportunities in various countries around the world, allowing foreign citizens to get acquainted with U.S. culture and the English language. Learn more about the opportunities offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Apply for OPEN Courses!

We are thrilled to offer OPEN courses through the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program. This initiative provides foreign English teaching professionals the chance to engage in innovative, online university-level classes and professional development opportunities. With interactive classes and dynamic materials, the OPEN Program connects educators worldwide to enhance English language teaching and foster new global connections! Foreign English teaching professionals can now apply for the Fall Semester, starting September 22, 2026, and running until November 16, 2026. Orientation will be available from September 1-17, 2026.

Learn more about this opportunity at https://openenglishcommunity.org/page/global-online-courses

 

Deadline for applications: July 19, 2026.

Applications can be found here and should be sent to BelarusProgram@state.gov.

 

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your teaching and join a global community of educators!

 

Apply for Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026!

The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Minsk announces an open competition for the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). This program provides U.S. government exchange alumni with the resources to design and implement high-impact initiatives that address local challenges while advancing shared policy goals.

 

Find more information here: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026.

 

Deadline for applications: May 4, 2026

Education

EducationUSA

EducationUSA is your official source on U.S. higher education

Learn About EducationUSA

Local EducationUSA Centers

EducationUSA advising centers help you navigate the Five Steps to U.S. Study.

Find an EducationUSA Center Near You
students standing together

Study & Exchange

The United States supports international education and welcomes foreign students and exchange visitors. Before applying for a visa, students and exchange visitors must be accepted by their schools or program sponsors.

Learn more about Study & Exchange

American English

American English is a resource center for teaching and learning about American English.

Visit the American English Site

Educational Exchange

Educational exchange programs provide opportunities for scholars. Programs include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.

Read More About Educational Exchanges

BridgeUSA

Brings emerging leaders and professionals to the United States.

Learn More About BridgeUSA

English Language Fellow Program

The English Language Fellow Program, supported by the U.S. Department of State, provides professionally trained American teachers and teacher trainers for universities, teacher training institutes, and other institutions of language education worldwide. Fellows teach English language and implement special teacher training, methodology, and curriculum development projects. Belarusian institutions can invite highly qualified American English language teaching professionals for up to one academic year. Teachers at host institutions receive professional tools from the EL Fellows that promote educational effectiveness and expand their ability to provide English instruction for a wider variety of student populations in a larger number of educational contexts.

Read About English Language Fellow Program

English Language Specialist Program

The English Language Specialist Program, a program within the U.S. Department of State English Language Programs Office, provides training for schools, universities and other academic institutions conducted by American academics in the fields of English as a Foreign Language and Applied Linguistics. English Language Specialists support two-week to five-month projects at a variety of institutions and levels. Workshops, seminars and conference keynotes on topics such as curriculum development, teacher training and education, textbook development, English for Specific Purposes, and program evaluation can all be facilitated by these American experts. The program can also provide specialists via digital video conference (DVC) or webinar, as a standalone program or as one element of a multi-phase program.

Read About the English Language Specialist Program

English Teaching FORUM Magazine

The English Teaching FORUM magazine is a quarterly journal published by the United States Department of State for teachers of English. You can access current and previous issues of FORUM magazine online at the American English.

Read About the English Teaching FORUM Magazine

Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program

The OPEN Program offers free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which are open to an unlimited number of participants. There is a variety of MOOC styles, from self-paced to instructor-led, and course lengths, open for completion from 5 weeks to 12 weeks. Explore MOOC course descriptions and full module packets here: https://openenglishcommunity.org/page/massive-open-online-courses-moocs. Please direct questions about our MOOC offerings to openmoocs@fhi360.org.

Read About the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program

American English Online

American English is a website that provides resources for teaching and learning English and American culture. The website offers free downloadable materials teachers can easily adapt in their own classrooms.

Read More About American English Online

Local American Spaces

Find American Spaces, American Centers, American Corners, or Binational Centers near you.

Find an American Spaces location near you

American Spaces

The Office of American Spaces oversees a network of 600 open-access cultural centers.

Learn More About American Spaces

Exchange Alumni: Resources & Opportunities

Alumni - group of people gathered together

Join the Exchange Alumni community portal and open the door to a world of resources and funding opportunities to help you build on the skills you gained during your exchange program:

  • Access academic journals and articles through EBSCO, JSTOR, and Libby, among other academic and research resources through eLibraryUSA (make sure to first visit an American Space in your region to set up an account).
  • Find and connect with fellow Exchange Alumni locally and globally.
  • Collaborate in group discussions, search for and post upcoming career opportunities, update your alumni contact information, and more!

For Exchange Alumni community portal log-in questions, reach out to: alumniwebsite@state.gov.

In addition, get up-to-date information on upcoming events and Exchange Alumni highlights in our quarterly international newsletter, and reach out to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to find out more about funding opportunities like the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF).

Don’t forget to connect with us online through LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, sharing your successes by using #ExchangeAlumni when you post. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Feel free to reach out directly at exchangealumni@state.gov.