Au Pair
A number of Alliance member organizations facilitate the Au Pair Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, that is designed to allow foreign nationals between 18 and 26 years of age to live in the United States with a host family and provide limited childcare services for an initial period of 12 months, with the option for a one-time extension of 6, 9 or 12 months. The Au Pair Program, like all exchanges, is intended to provide exchange participants with broad exposure to U.S. culture and society, and to foster greater appreciation among Americans of the au pairs’ home countries. Specifically, the Au Pair Program is designed to allow participants to become directly involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through living with host families, childcare activities and the built-in educational component.
See more information on the Au Pair Program on the Department of State website.
The following Alliance member organizations are designated sponsors of the Au Pair Program:
Camp Counselor
Several Alliance member organizations facilitate the Camp Counselor Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, that is designed to allow international exchange participants to interact directly with groups of American youth by overseeing their activities in a camp setting during the U.S. summer season. Foreign university students, youth workers, and other specially qualified individuals at least 18 years of age and proficient in English may work as counselors in U.S. summer camps for up to four months.
See more information on the Camp Counselor Program on the Department of State website.
The following Alliance member organizations are designated sponsors of the Camp Counselor Program:
High School
The High School Exchange Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, brings international high school students to the United States for up to one year of academic study at an accredited public or private secondary school. During their stay in the U.S., participants live with American host families or reside at accredited U.S. boarding schools. The High School Exchange Program, like all exchanges, is intended to provide exchange participants with broad exposure to U.S. culture and society, and to foster greater appreciation among Americans of the exchange students’ home countries. Specifically, the high school program is designed to allow students to become directly involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through studying at U.S. schools and living with host families and has a consistent record of success in fostering attitudinal change, building lifelong relationships, and encouraging leadership aspirations.
See more information on the High School Exchange Program on the Department of State website.
Many Alliance members also facilitate outbound high school exchange programs of varying lengths to allow American students in-depth exposure to a foreign education, culture, and society.
The following Alliance member organizations sponsor and support high school programs:
Internship
The Intern Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, brings international university students or recent graduates to the United States to bridge the gap between formal education and practical work experience. The students participate in internship programs with host organizations for a duration of 3 weeks up to 12 months. The program is intended to enable exchange participants to return to their home countries and to utilize their enhanced professional skills to advance their careers, as well as to share their experiences and increased understanding of the U.S.
See more information on the Internship Program on the Department of State website.
Many Alliance members also facilitate outbound intern/work exchange programs of varying lengths to allow Americans to gain professional experience abroad, as well as in-depth exposure to a foreign culture and society.
The following Alliance member organizations are designated sponsors of the Internship Program:
Professional Training
The Trainee Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, brings international professionals to the United States to enhance the skills and exchange visitors in their academic or occupational fields through participation in a structure and guided training-based program. Professionals participate in trainee programs with host organizations for a duration of 3 weeks up to 18 months. The program is intended to allow trainees to, upon their return home, utilize their enhanced professional skills to advance their careers and to share their experiences and increased understanding of the United States.
See more information on the Trainee Program on the Department of State website.
The following Alliance member organizations are designated sponsors of the Trainee Program:
Summer Work Travel
The Summer Work Travel (SWT) Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, brings international post-secondary students (college or university) to the United States to work and travel for a maximum of four months during their university summer breaks. Summer Work Travel, like all exchange programs, is intended to provide participants with broad exposure to U.S. culture and society, and to foster greater appreciation among Americans of the exchange participants’ home countries. Specifically, the SWT program is designed to allow participants to become directly involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through travel and temporary work.
See more information on the Summer Work Travel Program on the Department of State website.
The following Alliance member organizations are designated sponsors of the SWT Program:
Teacher
The Teacher Exchange Program, a category of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program, provides foreign nationals the opportunity to teach in accredited primary and secondary educational institutions in the United States for up to three years. The Teacher Exchange Program, like all exchanges, is intended to provide exchange participants with broad exposure to U.S. culture and society, and to foster greater appreciation among Americans of the international teachers’ home countries. Specifically, teacher exchanges prepare educators to shape young people into positive agents of change. Participating teachers bring interactive teaching practices to their students and colleagues, enhancing critical thinking, inquiry, and analytical skills. A typical teacher exchange participant can be expected to influence at least 1,000 students and 50 colleagues during his or her career, creating a powerful multiplier effect.
See more information on the Teacher Exchange Program on the Department of State website.
The following Alliance member organizations are designated sponsors of the Teacher Exchange Program: