The United States values educational and cultural exchanges as important tools to help people from other countries better understand American culture, foreign policy, and perspectives.
BridgeUSA is the new operational name of the U.S. State Department’s Exchange Visitor Program for exchanges in the private sector. The educational and cultural exchange program has increased mutual understanding between the American people and people from other countries, welcoming millions of individuals to the United States over the past 60 years.
In these exchanges, private sector sponsors can place exchange visitors in 13 categories, including summer work travel, intern, teacher, and Au Pair.
Through its new name, “BridgeUSA creates a more positive, professional, and identifiable identity for private sector programs,” said Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, on October 27. “We are focused on communicating our mission and the values of our program more effectively.”
BridgeUSA builds interpersonal connections around the world through bridges of friendship between nations. The name puts the program’s mission first: to cultivate a network of leaders who create a lasting impact in their communities and in our world.
Each year, BridgeUSA offers educational and cultural exchange opportunities for over 300,000 foreign visitors from 200 countries and territories. The
program provides opportunities for those who wish to experience U.S. society and culture in order to interact with Americans in a personal context.
Exchange visitors participate in a variety of cultural and educational programs, depending on their age and qualifications. These visitors may teach or study at accredited academic institutions in the United States, live with host families, or work with host organizations and receive qualifications from them.
The State Department is committed to working with all stakeholders of the program to implement a future trajectory aimed at safely resuming in-person cultural exchanges, Marie said.
Source: share.america.gov