American Councils for International Education

Not to be confused with American Council on Education.

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]

American Council for International Education

Established	1974; 51 years ago (1974)
Type	Education policy nonprofit
Legal status	501(c)(3)
Purpose	education, multiculturalism, activism, peacekeeping, etc.
Headquarters	1828 L St, NW
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Region served	worldwide
President	Lisa Choate
Website	www.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.

History

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]

In early 2024, American Councils was designated as an "undesirable organization" in Russia.^[5]

Programs

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.^[6]
• 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.^[7]
• 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.^[8][9]
• 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

American Councils collaborates with government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private sector partners to implement its programs and initiatives.^[10][11][12]

Impact

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.^[13][14]