Alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs go on to serve in meaningful roles across the U.S. military, building careers shaped by leadership, adaptability, and global experience.
From the Army to the Navy, our alumni support international partnerships, mentor future leaders, and take on responsibilities that span countries and cultures. Their stories reflect the many ways alumni continue to grow and lead after their programs end.
Swipe through to hear from @yesabroad , @clsscholarship , and @nsliy alumni as they reflect on their paths and the experiences that continue to shape their service.
We extend our sincere gratitude to these alumni, and to all who serve, for their dedication and commitment.
#ACGlobal #ArmedForcesDay #YESAbroadAlumni #CLSAlumni #NSLIYAlumni
In late April, American Councils supported a group of 10 LEAD Albania fellows during an immersive capstone program in Washington, DC, designed to deepen their understanding of U.S. governance, leadership, and public service.
Launched in 2013 and modeled after the White House Fellows Program, LEAD Albania places emerging professionals in advisory roles across key public institutions in Albania. For the second consecutive year, American Councils organized the Washington visit, providing fellows with firsthand exposure to U.S. democratic institutions and global leadership practices.
Over two days, fellows engaged in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill where they gained insight into the legislative process, congressional diplomacy, and U.S. foreign policy through discussions with congressional offices and staff from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
A key highlight of the program was a leadership seminar led by Dr. Ruth Gotian, a globally recognized expert in high performance and leadership development. Her session reflected American Councils’ commitment to connecting participants with top experts and equipping them with practical tools to apply in their own leadership.
The cohort brought together professionals from public and civic sectors, including leaders in law, finance, public policy, energy, technology, and communications, reflecting a diverse range of expertise shaping Albania's future.
Funded by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), this initiative advances efforts to strengthen leadership and public service in Albania and beyond, reinforcing LEAD Albania’s mission to develop principled, globally minded leaders who are prepared to serve and lead with impact.
#ACGlobal #LEADAlbania #ProfessionalExchange #GlobalLeadership @lead.albania@ruthgotian@the_aadf
Alumni in Action: Building Skills for a Digital Future
In mid-April, FLEX alumni Arina J. ‘19, Eva-Lia B. ‘24, Maria V. ‘24, and Sofia N. ‘22 convened 100+ high school and university students for Ctrl+Shift+Tech, a youth-led technology summit in Tallinn, Estonia.
Focusing on AI, technology, and entrepreneurship, the event equipped participants with practical skills and insights into how digital innovation is transforming industries.
Attendees engaged directly with industry leaders—including speakers from Nortal, Startup Estonia, and e-Estonia—to better understand real-world applications of emerging technologies and the skills needed to succeed in innovation-driven fields. The organizers also highlighted how exchange experiences like FLEX help strengthen leadership pathways and expand career opportunities.
The alumni created a unique learning opportunity for their peers. As one participant shared: “We usually don’t have any free conferences on AI, technology, and entrepreneurship in Riga, so this was a great opportunity for us to learn and gain experience.”
Supported by local partners committed to technological advancement, the event also benefited from collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Estonia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
#ACGlobal #FLEXProgram #FLEXAlumni #YouthLeadership @flexprogram@flex_alumni@flexbaltics
At the center of every exchange story is a host family.
Thank you to the families who welcome students from around the world and turn new experiences into lifelong memories.
Your generosity creates meaningful exchange, giving students a firsthand experience of American life, culture, and community.
Thank you for sharing your corner of the world.
Learn more and apply to host a student at the link in bio!
#ACGlobal #YouthExchange #HostFamilyAppreciation #ExchangeOurWorld
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the love of mothers that endures across time and distance.
Our very own YES alumna Desara Gjini ‘19 draws on the universal bond between mothers and children in her songwriting. That inspiration led her to write “Nân,” Albania’s official Eurovision entry, performed by singer Alis. The ballad is a powerful tribute to mothers, memories, and the bond that never fades.
As the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals begin this week, we’re cheering Desara on and wishing Albania the very best on the international stage!
Watch the full music video at the link in bio.
#ACGlobal #YESProgram #YESAlumni #Eurovision #EurovisionAlbania
In honor of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we are recognizing the educators who shape classrooms and communities around the world.
We are proud to feature one of our high school participants in the United States, whose journey highlights the power of exchange to build confidence and broaden perspectives.
From mentorship in the classroom to encouragement beyond it, teachers play a vital role in helping exchange students feel supported and find belonging. Through extracurriculars, they also help students explore their passions, express themselves, and make friends.
As Muhammad, a YES student in Missouri, shared about his theater teacher Ms. Potthoff: “She was always kind to me, never once making me feel left out, and always there to help whenever I needed it. I don’t think I have enough words to truly thank her for everything she’s done.”
Thank you to the educators who make these life-changing experiences possible.
Learn more about our high school exchange programs at the link in bio.
#ACGlobal #YESProgram #HighSchoolInAmerica EducationalExchange
In honor of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we are recognizing the educators who shape classrooms and communities around the world.
We are proud to spotlight the United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board (USKEB), a binational body dedicated to advancing educational exchange and collaboration between the United States and Kosovo.
Supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo, and Kosovo’s Ministry of Education and Science, USKEB helps guide impactful programs that build skills and foster mutual understanding.
Through initiatives like the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, including the English Teaching Assistantship (ETA), participants support Kosovar university classrooms while engaging directly with local communities. These experiences strengthen communication skills and build relationships that support long-term cooperation.
Thank you to program leaders who make these exchanges possible.
Learn more about our programs in Kosovo at the link in bio.
#ACGlobal #ACKosovo #InternationalEducation #Fulbright
In honor of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we are recognizing the educators who shape classrooms and communities around the world.
We are proud to spotlight the Bokhtar English Resource Center (ERC-B), a hub advancing English language teaching and teacher development in Tajikistan’s Khatlon region.
Launched in 2021 and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan, the center brings together English instructors, as well as in-service and pre-service teachers, to explore modern, student-centered approaches that strengthen learning outcomes and inspire innovation in the classroom.
Through mentorship, hands-on training, and collaborative programming, ERC instructors guide the next generation of educators. From leading English clubs to organizing regional spelling bees, student conferences, and book clubs, pre-service teachers refine their language proficiency and grow into confident leaders and mentors.
For the past five years, the ERC-B has served as a practical laboratory for professional growth. Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible.
Learn more about our programs in Tajikistan at the link in bio.
#ACGlobal #ACTajikistan #InternationalEducation #TeacherDevelopment
Why learn Portuguese? 🌎
Portuguese is a global language that opens doors to commerce and collaboration across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking country, is an emerging global power with the world’s tenth-largest economy, an abundance of natural resources, and incredible biodiversity, offering strong career pathways in fields such as business, finance, agriculture, environmental science, and more.
Beyond Brazil and Portugal, Portuguese is the primary language of business in several rapidly growing African economies, including Angola and Mozambique. At the same time, economic superpowers China, Japan, and South Korea are increasing their diplomatic, trade, and financial ties with the Portuguese-speaking world.
The need is clear: the United States needs more professionals with Portuguese language skills to support global economic engagement, diplomacy, and security.
Whether you’re just beginning to learn Portuguese or ready to advance your proficiency, American Councils administers the Critical Language Scholarship, a merit-based, fully funded summer program supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students.
Learn more at the link in bio!
#ACGlobal #StudyAbroad #LanguageImmersion #PortugueseLanguage @clscholarship
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
American Councils celebrates the educators around the world who inspire curiosity, bridge cultures, and open doors to new opportunities for their students—inside and beyond the classroom.
Their dedication, creativity, and commitment make international education possible and invest in the leaders of tomorrow.
Thank you to the teachers who change the lives of students on exchange here in the United States and abroad.
#ACGlobal #TeacherAppreciationWeek #InternationalEducation
Diplomacy is powered by the steadfast commitment of individuals.
On Foreign Affairs Day, we honor the diplomats, Foreign Service officers, and public servants—many of them U.S. Government exchange alumni—who put language skills and cultural experience into action every day around the world.
Their careers at the U.S. Department of State reflect how international education and exchange create lasting impact, building relationships and regional expertise that shape U.S. leadership for decades.
#ACGlobal #ForeignAffairsDay #ForeignService #CitizenDiplomacy #InternationalEducation
This Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’re celebrating the people who make our programs possible!
From host families to scholarship evaluators, our volunteers play a critical role in supporting students and building lasting connections between the United States and countries around the world.
Thank you for your dedication to the American Councils family—and the next generation of leaders.
Interested in volunteering? Learn more at our link in bio!
#ACGlobal #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #ExchangeOurWorld
