Country: Saint Lucia

Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars

Participant Profile

Participants are alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and vary in age and level of expertise, but all will be engaged in the seminar topic and highly motivated to create change in their communities.

Please consult the list of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs below.

Participant Selection

Alumni TIES participants who are not U.S. citizens are nominated by the U.S. Embassies or Consulates in their countries. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country to learn how you can participate in Alumni TIES. Potential Alumni TIES participants who are living in the United States can apply for specific seminars managed by World Learning. The web link to online application will be distributed widely by the Office of Alumni Affairs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and also available on this web page two months before these select seminars.

All participants for Alumni TIES seminars are selected by the U.S. Department of State.

Program Design

Alumni TIES seminars take place in six world regions and the U.S.; each seminar is three to four days for small groups of alumni. The seminars include speakers, capacity development trainings, and alumni networking activities. Through the small grants initiative, alumni have the opportunity to take action and make a positive difference in their communities.

Learn More

Watch more videos about the Alumni TIES program.

Read stories from past participants about their experiences at the seminars or with their small grant projects on the Alumni TIES blog.

For information on programs for U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni visit the International Exchange Alumni website.

Alumni TIES is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by World Learning and the Office of Alumni Affairs, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at State.  

Youth Ambassadors Program

Are you interested in a YA Exchange?

We offer opportunities for U.S. Citizens interested in going abroad and for international applicants interested in coming to the U.S.

U.S. CITIZENS
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

In-Person Youth Ambassadors Programs:

Three-week, Youth Ambassadors programs commence in various locations across the United States, including San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; or in Brattleboro, VT. Participants then travel in smaller cohorts to host communities across the country. All inbound programs include a segment in Washington, DC.

The U.S. Youth Ambassadors exchanges follow a similar program cycle, beginning with a U.S.-based pre-departure orientation, followed by international travel to the exchange country. Three-week, single, and multi-country exchanges take place between June – August; exact dates will vary by exchange country.

Virtual Youth Ambassadors Programs:

To be honest, I thought an online experience couldn’t compare to anything in person. But now I know a lot more about the other participants I met with and have come closer to understanding their food, culture, family, and language… We got a lot closer than I thought we could get simply through a screen. This summer experience was great and I’m really happy I got to be a part of it all.

2020 Youth Ambassador from the U.S.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Youth Ambassadors Program developed a virtual program that creatively and interactively meets the learning and impact goals of the Youth Ambassadors Program. Virtual Youth Ambassadors participants connect for synchronous (live) and asynchronous activities over the course of five to eight weeks. Virtual programming includes full group workshops based on program theme, social hours hosted by Youth Ambassadors Program Alumni, and small discussion groups.

Throughout the week participants will also complete Self-Directed Explorations (SDE), asynchronous activities to supplement and enhance the synchronous activities. The SDEs will support participant learning through group problem solving activities, individual learning and reflection, and goal setting exercises. As this is a virtual program, participants will connect from their own homes. A computer, laptop or tablet, and internet access are required for the duration of the program. Total engagement for virtual Youth Ambassadors Programs is between 6-8 hours per week.

Follow-on activities with the participants are an integral part of both the in-person and virtual Youth Ambassadors Programs, as participants apply the knowledge and skills, they have acquired by implementing projects that serve the needs of their communities.

The Adult Mentor Role:

The Adult Mentor, or Adult Educator, role is an important part of the Youth Ambassadors Program. These adult program participants support the development of group cohesion and community among program participants; assist youth participants in cultural exploration; engage youth participants in learning and help connect their experiences to their Community-Based Service Initiatives; and continue mentorship development following the virtual or in-person exchange by supporting youth participant project implementation. Youth Ambassadors Adult Educators will:

  • Facilitate participants’ progress on program activities. This may include supporting Youth Ambassadors Program staff with check-ins on individual participants’ progress; and providing insights, guidance, and encouragement on participants’ assignments and discussions.
  • Build the capacity of participants. A key role of the adult educators is to build the capacity of youth participants by enabling them to solve issues or problems as they arise. Youth Ambassadors Program staff do not expect adult educators to solve problems, but rather to empower students to solve their issues/problems themselves.
  • Serve as a resource. Adult Educators will serve as a resource for the student teams by sharing their technical expertise, organizational experience, professional networks, and life experience. In other words, if youth participants have questions and are in need of resources to get to the next level, adult educators should point them in the right direction, based on their experience and connections. Following the program, Adult Educators will support youth participants as they implement their community projects. Adult Educators will be available for questions and guidance as participants need.
  • Act as a cultural bridge.Adult Educators serve as a “cultural bridge” if youth participants have difficulty understanding each other or any part of the program.


Connect with Youth Ambassadors

Contact Us

Questions? Contact our Admissions Office at [email protected] or at 1-877-591-9626 inside the U.S. or at 1-802-258-3485 outside the U.S.

Youth Ambassadors is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government. The program is administered by World Learning in partnership with Amigos de las Américas and Georgetown University CIED.