U.S. Embassy Warsaw and U.S. Consulate General Kraków sponsor a variety of international exchange programs each year, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). These people-to-people exchanges are designed to enhance mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations.
The Department of State is committed to supporting alumni of these programs by providing resources that will help them to build upon their exchange experience.
U.S. government-sponsored (USG) exchange program participants and alumni living in Poland have a number of opportunities to be involved in post-exchange activities.
Alumni associations
Polish Alumni Association
The Polish Alumni Association is open to alumni of all exchange programs and study visits sponsored by the U.S. government, including International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Fulbright Program. The association was established in 2006.
Members of the Alumni Association represent a wide range of professions and specialties; they include public, non-government, science, business, education, culture, media and other sectors. They share the experience of an academic or professional visit to the United States. Often those visits become a crucial point in members’ careers and result in long lasting contacts with their American counterparts.
The goal of the Alumni Association is to promote understanding between Poland and the United States, improve knowledge about the USA, provide networking opportunities with Polish and international alumni of exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. government, and support members’ professional and personal development. Members can establish new contacts through meetings with American experts and representatives of the U.S. government, community service projects, cultural events, workshops, seminars, conferences and debates.
To join, please go to www.usalumni.org.pl
Polish Fulbright Alumni Association
The Polish Fulbright Alumni Association (PFAA) was established in 1993 in Warsaw. The Association is opened to the Polish alumni of the Fulbright Program only. The aim of the Association is to build on its educational and social resources and to conduct its activities in a manner which is consistent with the mission of the Program. The PFAA has been advising U.S. Fulbrighters about professional and personal life in Poland. It was the association who applied to the President Lech Walęsa to award Senator Fulbright with the Poland’s highest honor for a foreigner: the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
To join, please contact Prof. Halina Abramczyk at abramczy@mitr.p.lodz.pl
Other opportunities for Polish alumni of U.S. government sponsored exchange programs include access to and possibility to partner with American Spaces and volunteering to support local alumni communities (e.g. organizing events, speaking at alumni seminars, etc.). To get more details, please contact USGAlumni@state.gov.
Global Alumni Online Community
International Exchange Alumni is the State Department’s official website for alumni of exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. government. The International Exchange Alumni online community recognizes the achievements of exchange alumni and provides them access to exclusive benefits including:
- $33 billion worth of grant opportunities;
- Professional development resources;
- Exclusive video webchats with VIPs; and
- 20,000 online magazines and newspapers.
Members can also:
- Network with fellow alumni around the world;
- Recruit fellow alumni for projects and competitions;
- Find the latest research in your field;
- Develop plans for your alumni association, or find an association to join;
- Share your experience with a global audience; and
- Read alumni success stories, perspectives, and ideas.
Only verified alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs are able to access these benefits.
Who Can Join?
You are an alumnus(a) of a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program if you have participated in at least one of the following programs:
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
Fulbright Program
Citizen Exchanges
Youth Exchange / Leadership Program
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI)
American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)
International Writing Program
Holocaust Teacher Training Program
Ron Brown Fellowship Program
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX)
Teaching Excellence Awards Program (TEA)
Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Initiative
Sport Exchanges
FORTUNE/State Women Leaders Partnership
International Choreographer`s Residency (ICR)
