In October, the world was listening to a very important story, one that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs shares every day: the story of how empowering women and girls through educational and professional opportunities changes lives and communities. 

In an exchange programme launched by the British Council, students from the UK would soon get an opportunity to learn and understand the Indian culture through various short-term courses. According to a report in TOI, out of a group of 500 students, 50 will be joining the University of Kerala for a two-week-long course in Indian Studies.

The foreign exchange program brings students from all over the world to the U.S. with the goal of increasing cultural awareness and openness both stateside and abroad. For many students, Bowman said, the trip can be a great way for students to connect with cultures in which they are interested.

Mike Griffin and Anthony Shields of Minneapolis-based Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC) are two of 20 national candidates selected by the relatively new exchange program to teach grassroots organizing to marginalized communities in east Europe.

This event is an opportunity for the general public to meet with international and national wetland center partners visiting from Russia, Iowa, Texas and the United Kingdom. [...] Russia has only recently moved from a system of strictly protected nature areas where people were excluded, to a more inclusive system of encouraging and promoting outdoor environmental education.

While changing sheets and scrubbing bathtubs, walking to Taco John’s, shopping at Walmart or taking trips to Omaha or Denver — even attending a rodeo — these grassroots ambassadors are experiencing slices of American culture and improving their English-language skills.

Exchange students receive a different visa, called a J-1. They are part of the “public diplomacy” initiatives of the US Department of State. Neither host families nor schools are paid. Voluntarily hosted exchange students do not pay for food, lodging and education, but are welcomed as guest members of a family, community and country. They do pay travel, insurance, personal and program costs