Getting Started

Getting Started on ExchangesConnect

Welcome to ExchangesConnect, an open international online community administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State! 

Take a look at our interactive exchange program, country, and special interest groups to connect with prospective, current, and former exchange participants and share informal tips about Department of State exchange program applications and experiences living abroad in foreign countries.

Have you already participated in a program or traveled extensively abroad? Consider applying to be a volunteer Community Leader or sharing your story for a chance to win prizes. Read more about ExchangesConnect and what we do.

We encourage you to sign up for our site to be able to comment and add content, and also to access even more features, like member profiles.

Once you join, please take a look at our Community Guidelines to learn how to best interact with other members. You should also review our Terms of Service so that you know our rules and read our tips for Personal Safety in Social Networks.

Check out some of our additional how-to guides below:

• Customize Your Profile
• Join a Group
• Share Your Story
• Add Photos and Videos
• Start a Discussion
• Write a Blog
• Make Friends
• Tag Your Content