Career Development and Grant Opportunities for U.S. Exchange Alumni

Exchange alumni on the Great Wall of China with their backs to the camera, one student pointing straight ahead


In a partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas offered opportunities to U.S. exchange alumni to leverage the unique skills they developed during their time abroad. As an alum of a U.S. government-sponsored international exchange program, alumni have important knowledge and skills to bring to the table. 

 

Career Connections and the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund were sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

20 Virtual professional development events
50+ U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs represented
1,000+ Alumni served through Career Connections seminars
150+ Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund grants awarded
  • Career Connections: Seminars for U.S. Exchange Alumni

    Career Connections Global+ was a series of virtual professional development sessions bringing together U.S. alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs with expert career coaches, professionals from diverse fields, and international leaders. These sessions provided invaluable opportunities to network with leaders in your community.

    To participate in Career Connections Global+, attendees had to be U.S. citizen exchange alumni and registered for an account on the International Exchange Alumni website at http://www.alumni.state.gov.

    Exchange alumni accessed

      • A virtual main stage with an exclusive look at navigating your way to a career in public service;
      • Programming on professional development and the state of international careers;
      • Live Q&As with career coaches and mentors;
      • Virtual discussions, panels, and receptions;
      • Exchange alumni community gatherings.

    Career Connections was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

  • Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund for U.S. Alumni

    The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund competition provided small grants to teams of at least one U.S. citizen alum and either one U.S. OR international citizen alum of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to carry out public service projects using the skills and knowledge they gained during their exchange experiences.

    Projects could have been carried out virtually, in the United States, its territories, or overseas only when appropriate and in accordance with national and local guidance on COVID-19 safety.

    The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund for U.S. Alumni was sponsored and funded by the U.S. Department of State, with implementation support by Partners of the Americas.

    Eligibility

    • Projects had to be submitted by teams of two or more exchange alumni of U.S. government-sponsored programs. See the list of eligible programs here.
    • The primary project team lead (Team Lead 1) had to be a U.S. citizen alum over age 18.
    • All team members had to have their International Exchange Alumni account verified and activated on alumni.state.gov.

     

    2021 Competition Project Themes

    Promoting Media Literacy Education  - Projects advanced media literacy education to prepare informed citizens and foster a strong democracy.

    Protecting the Environment  - Projects supported healthy, environmentally conscious populations by strengthening education, increasing understanding, and fostering sustainable practices.

    Bolstering Outreach to Underserved Communities  - Projects built strong, engaged communities that benefit from the international exchange by ensuring that all people can access our globalized world by promoting inclusion, economic empowerment, and community resilience.

    Fostering Alumni Network Development  - Projects strengthened the return on investment in international exchanges by building networks, sharing stories of international exchange, and advancing the professional development of alumni.

    Building Community through Arts, Sports, Language, and Technology  - Projects fostered strong civic engagement by strengthening education, civic participation, economic empowerment, peacebuilding, or community resilience through programs using new technology, the arts, sports, and language.

    Questions?

    Learn more about the winners of the Fall 2020 Competition.

    Learn more about the winners of the Rapid Response CDAF Competition.

    The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.