Preliminary
After WWII,
U.S.A. was regarded as a military and economic superpower of the world. The influence
of the U.S.A. in the world grew rapidly and its leaders realized very soon that
it is essential to make people around the world to understand the cultural and
social values of the U.S.A.
Cultural
exchange programs started from a simply observation: when a person goes to
another country the mutual understanding between him and the people of that
country is enhanced. So, these programs seek to develop cultural understanding
between U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries, and can be regarded as a
form of cultural diplomacy.
History
One of the
earliest cultural exchanges considered part of U.S. Public Diplomacy occurred
in 1940, when journalists from Latin America were encouraged to visit the U.S. [1]
Leading
musicians from the region were subsequently invited during the decade to different
broadcasting studios in New York City. [2]
In 1946, the
legislation for what would become the Fulbright Program was introduced. [3]
In 1959, the
exchange programs aspect of the State Department was separated from the Public
Affairs Bureau to form the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Relations. [4]
In 1961,
Congress passed the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act. [5]
In 1993, the
Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange (The Alliance) was
created following the merger of the International Exchange Association and the
Liaison Group for International Educational Exchange. The Alliance's activities
include formulating specific recommendations to support public policy regarding
educational and cultural exchanges. [6]
Examples of
programs that operates in Romania
The Fulbright Awards Program offers exchange
opportunities to Romanian citizens (scholars, students and professionals) for
study, research and teaching in the United States. These grants are supported
by the U.S. and Romanian Governments and awarded through open merit-based
competitions supervised by bi-national panels. [7]
The Benjamin Franklin Summer Institutes are intensive
academic institutes hosted by a U.S. college or university. These programs are
academic in nature, and focus on global issues, in addition to leadership and
community service. During the exchanges, students and educators participate in
workshops, community service activities, team building exercises, meetings with
community leaders, leadership development, and focus on a specific theme, such
as conflict resolution, social entrepreneurship, or environmental stewardship.
[8]
The
Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a two-way, global exchange program
designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional
skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level
emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. [9]
The
Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a professional development program for the
best and brightest global community leaders working on issues related to the
environment, tolerance and conflict resolution, transparency and
accountability, and women and gender. Community Solutions is a year-long
program that includes a four-month fellowship at a U.S. community-based
organization, government office or legislative body. [10]
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program provides
scholarships for high school students from Europe and Eurasia to spend an
academic year in the United States, living with a family and attending an
American high school. [11]
The Fortune
- U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership connects
talented, emerging women leaders from all over the world with members of
Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Leaders for a four-week-long program. [12]
The International Writing Program (IWP) is the oldest
and largest multicultural writing residency in the world. The Fall Residency
brings outstanding authors from every continent to the University of Iowa. The
goal of the Fall Residency is to provide authors with the setting for cultural
exchange and also with the time and space to write, read, translate, study, and
to become part of the vibrant literary and academic community at the University
of Iowa. [13]
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars and
Secondary Educators are post-graduate level academic programs for
mid-career foreign scholars, faculty, practitioners, and secondary educators
whose purpose is to strengthen curricula and to improve the teaching about the
United States in academic institutions abroad. [14]
Sports
Visitors are young non-elite athletes and coaches chosen by U.S. missions
overseas to visit the United States for a fast-paced two-week exchange program.
These sports-themed programs offer participants the opportunity to interact
with Americans and experience American society, culture, and values firsthand.
The activities include sessions on nutrition, strength and conditioning, gender
equity in sport, Title IX, sport and disability, and team building. Special
emphasis is placed on the visitors’ development of personal action plans that
they use upon their return home. [15]
Participate
has empowered educators to transform learning since 1987. Participate is more
than a job opportunity. It provides personal growth and development. You’ll
also be a cultural ambassador. Share your traditions with your new community.
Help plan events to celebrate your favorite holidays. Serve as a role model and
mentor. Inspire a love of the wider world in US students. [16]
Pro
You will learn
from experienced staff and you will build professional relationships.
Many
positions offer a good salary and you will have the options to save or invest the
earned money.
Make new
friends it’s always a positive matter.
Living in
the United States you’ll get to integrate into the local culture and to share
your own culture.
The visiting
opportunities in the U.S. are multiple.
You’ll get a
sense of accomplishment when you complete an experience abroad.
Cons
The
linguistic barrier will be the first test. One is the language spoken by educated
people in an academic environment and another thing is the language spoken by
common people daily.
The cultural
differences amongs peoples from different countries is striking. Each person
has its personal values and time to time these can be in total contradictions
with others’.
At arrival
in a foreign country, you will have no friends.
Many
problems will appear during the initial adjustment and accommodation process.
Unexpected
legal and financial problems will popup.
Conclusions
As a
participant in a cultural exchange program I strongly recommend it.
Verify the
eligibility conditions before applying.
Be aware of
the fact that sometimes the process of being accepted in such a program is long
and frustrating. Many interviews and tests will come unexpectedly to check your
spontaneity, adaptability and flexibility in various conditions.
It’s
imperious to have a bank account with some funds for unexpected expenses.
Do some
prospects regarding the program, job and area where you’ll live.
Learn few
basic things regarding the history of the country.
References
1. Djerejian,
Edward P. (2007). Changing Minds, Winning Peace. West Bethesda, MD: Crossbow
Press. pp. 46–49. ISBN 978-0-615-15742-9.
2. Anthony,
Edwin D. Records of the Office of Inter-American Affairs. National Archives and
Record Services - General Services Administration Washington D.C., 1937 p. 1-8
& p. 25-26 Library of Congress Catalog No. 73-600146 Records of the Office
of Inter-American Affairs - Radio Division at the U.S. National Archive on www.archives.gov p. 1-8 & p. 25-26
3. “People
to People International Beginnings”. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
4. “History
of the ECA”. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
5. “Mutual
Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961”. United States Congress.
Retrieved April 27, 2011.
6. “The
Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange”. Retrieved April
27, 2011.
7. The
Fulbright Awards Program on http://www.fulbright.ro/
8. The
Benjamin Franklin Summer Institutes on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/benjamin-franklin-summer-institutes
9. The
Professional Fellows Program on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/professional-fellows-program
10. The
Community Solutions Program on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/community-solutions
11. The
Future Leaders Exchange on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/future-leaders-exchange
12. The
Fortune - U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring
Partnership on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/fortune-us-department-state-global-womens-mentoring-partnership
13. The
International Writing Program on https://iwp.uiowa.edu/residency/this-years-program
14. Study of
the U.S. Institutes for Scholars and Secondary Educators on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/study-us-institutes-scholars
15. Sports
Visitors on https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/sports-visitor-program
16. Participate
on https://www.participatelearning.com/