Educational Exchange

The Cultural Affairs section arranges a variety of U.S.-government sponsored exchange programs that link Iraqis and Americans. These programs are intended to introduce participants to the United States and American people and culture, as well as provide them with a chance to exchange ideas with their American colleagues. Educational and cultural exchanges create human bonds and enduring relationships that build bridges of cooperation and understanding between peoples.

Among the thousands of distinguished individuals who have participated in U.S. government exchange programs over the past five decades are more than 200 current and former Chiefs of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many, many other distinguished leaders from the public and private sectors.

The invitation to visit the U.S. under the auspices of the majority of these exchange programs is extended by U.S. embassies. For that reason, individuals cannot apply to participate in these programs. Please visit the EducationUSA website for information about studying in the U.S.

Evaluation of U.S. State Department Exchange Programs

Have you ever participated, administered or otherwise been involved in an exchange program conducted by the U.S. State Department or, before October 1999, the U.S. Information Agency? Examples include the International Visitor, Fulbright, Humphrey or other exchange programs.

If so, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs would be very interested in hearing your feedback on the effectiveness of our exchange programs. They invite you to fill out their questionnaire, providing them with a candid assessment of whether or not the program in which you participated increased your understanding of U.S. society and culture and whether it was of benefit to your personal or professional goals. The purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs in improving mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

Please note that your submissions will be included in an open-access repository and available to the general public. They should therefore not be considered confidential.