To Strengthen Education in the United States
Through international activities the Department of Education:

• learns about effective educational practices and policies abroad, which may help U.S. educators and policy makers to improve education in the United States;
• obtains data on the progress of U.S. education in comparison to other countries;
• increases opportunities for U.S. students and teachers to study or visit abroad; and
• helps to develop the capacity of U.S. institutions or individuals to teach about other countries, cultures, and languages.

To Provide Leadership in Education Worldwide
Through international activities the Department of Education:

• stimulates discussion and research on topics of priority to the United States.
• increases the chance that Americans working in the education field will be chosen when other countries seek expertise on education policy.
• ensures that the U.S. government speaks knowledgeably about education with foreign audiences when involved in high-level international meetings.
• builds mutual understanding on social issues with key partners abroad.
• shares information that may help other countries to strengthen their education systems.

Please remember to check with your home institution first. It can be a valuable source of information and may have its own programs.

U.S. Network for Education Information (USNEI)
Provides information and links related to U.S. study abroad programs, as well as preparation for going abroad.

Please remember to check with your home institution first. It can be a valuable source of information and may have its own programs.

The Financial Aid Information Page- U.S. Students
Provides information for U.S. students who wish to study abroad.

U.S. Network for Education Information (USNEI)
Provides a list of resources for U.S. students who would like to study abroad.

The George Washington University's Study Abroad Financial Aid Pages
Provides information for students who would like to study outside of the United States.

The U.S. Department of Education does not directly evaluate education credentials from foreign countries.

The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services committed to formulating and maintaining ethical standards in the field of foreign educational evaluation. NACES member organizations serve foreign-educated persons who have completed part or all of their education outside of the United States and who are seeking further education, professional licensure, or employment in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Education does not arrange student or teacher exchanges. If you are not a U.S. citizen and would like to study in the United States, please consult the following sources for information.

Information USA
Includes an If you Want to Study in the United States segment for Undergraduate Study, Graduate Study, and Scholars and Professionals.

National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA)
Provides information on grants programs, financial aid, employment for international educators and publications relating to international education.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The official site for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) includes test dates and practice questions.

U.S. Network for Education Information (USNEI)
Discusses preliminary steps for students who wish to study in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) largely administers Federal government-supported exchange programs.

The U.S. Department of Education supports two small programs in civic and economics education that link educators from the United States with those from the Newly Independent States, Eastern Europe, and Ireland.

For additional information about studying or teaching abroad, consult the U.S. Network for Education Information. The section on Education around the World provides extensive information and links on exchange programs and agencies at the secondary, college, and graduate level.

The Institute of International Education provides an extensive and diverse range of services for exchange programs and projects.

The U.S. Department of Education supports research and short-term study abroad for U.S. doctoral students and faculty members through the Fulbright-Hays program. For more information about these programs, consult the Office of Postsecondary Education Programs.

The U.S. Department of Education administers several programs designed to support the teaching of foreign languages and area studies in U.S. colleges and universities, authorized under Title XI of the Higher Education Act. For more information about these programs, consult the Office of Postsecondary Education Programs.

The U.S. Network for Education Information (USNEI), which provides information and links related to teaching abroad at all educational levels.

The following list provides sources for information about teaching opportunities in American-style schools abroad. The U.S. Department of Education is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the organizations listed. The U.S. Department of Education does not maintain any information provided by these organizations.

Department of Defense Education Activities
A system of 270 schools in 20 countries administered centrally by the U.S. Department of Defense. These schools primarily serve dependents of military personnel living overseas. The Arlington Headquarters handles hiring.

Office of Overseas Schools
The State Department assists independent American sponsored schools overseas. Information is available through the State Department, but each school does its own hiring.

International Schools Services
This private agency is most directly involved in assisting American overseas schools in recruiting.

Fulbright Teacher Exchange
The U.S. Department of State administers the Fulbright Teacher Exchange and seminar programs for educators.

European Council of International Schools
Offers a list of teaching and administrative positions in a number of countries.

The Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program offers grants for teaching abroad to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

The U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to issue passports and/or visas. For information on how to obtain a passport and/or visa, consult the following web pages on the U.S. Department of State's web site.

State Department Passport Services

State Department Visa Services