How Alumni Volunteers Can Connect with American Spaces
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
This Toolkit informs exchange alumni volunteers about how to engage with American Spaces and American Spaces coordinators. Written for alumni, it provides key resources so that they can continue their connections with the United States after their exchange experiences by engaging with American Spaces’ resources, networks, and platforms. Additionally, it provides guidance about running and participating in programs for other exchange program alumni.
RESOURCES
AMERICAN SPACES MAP
This website can point you to the nearest American Spaces location and explains more about the American Spaces program.
AMERICAN SPACES WEBSITE
This website has resources for those managing American Spaces, including thematic toolkits and activity guides that alumni can use to run programs.
INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI EXCHANGE WEBSITE
This website provides access to the Alumni portal, where you can research tools for programming, network with fellow alumni, and find grant money for projects.
CONTINUE YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE UNITED STATES AT AMERICAN SPACES
American Spaces, which include American Centers, American Corners, and Binational Centers, are inviting, open-access learning and gathering places around the world. An essential element to American Spaces is supporting Alumni of these U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to provide a platform, networks, advanced technology, and programs.
With more than 600 spaces in 142 countries, it’s likely that an American Space is not far from your home. Here’s a map to find the nearest American Space. At American Spaces, you’ll find a place to share content, conduct meetings, network, find resources, discover useful programming, and lead programs of your own.
MORE RESOURCES
Engage ECA Alumni – To learn more about engaging alumni, feel free to refer to this Learning Brief prepared by ECA’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation Unit (MELI)
#MentorTalks – Ask your American Space about local #MentorTalks webinars. MentorTalks webinars allow you, as one of the alumni, to connect with other alumni around the world.
Entrepreneurship? Interested in starting your own business or helping others start theirs? American Spaces can provide you a place to connect with people, use advanced and free technology, and run programs on entrepreneurship. Check out the list of current Department resources here, and ask your American Spaces representative if they currently offer any of these programs.
Interested in Running a Program? Check out the available toolkits on the American Spaces website to get topic ideas and links to past programs.
Want to host your own virtual talk, but aren’t sure where to start or what might be interesting? Check out these discussion guides of popular videos and webinars. Also, check out the 22.33 podcast which has examples of how other alumni choose to share their exchange stories. Talk with an American Spaces coordinator about how to run a virtual program and what resources available.
HOW CAN YOU CONNECT?
VISIT AN AMERICAN SPACE – ASK FOR A TOUR
Find your nearest American Corner or American Center and ask them about what programs they offer. English-language classes, speaker programs, entrepreneurship programs, technology clubs, and sessions for study in the United States are some of the most common programs offered at American Spaces.
VOLUNTEER AS A MENTOR OR ADVISOR
Is there a particular program that interests you? Do you have a particular skillset you could share? Check to see if local programs at your American Space have opportunities for volunteers. In addition to serving as a mentor, American Spaces could use your help to advertise their activities through your networks.
PRESENT ON YOUR U.S. EXPERIENCE
Did you recently return from the United States? Do you have something from your experience that you think would benefit local students and youth? Share it with your community!
American Spaces are the perfect place to host a talk on your experiences in the United States. Speak with your local representative about doing something virtually if in-person isn’t possible.
HOST AN ALUMNI NETWORKING SESSION
American Spaces serve as a gathering place for alumni. Work with your Embassy/Consulate Alumni Coordinator to host a networking session or professional development program at an American Space.
OFFER TO CO-HOST A PROGRAM
Do you have a program idea and need a platform to host it? Talk to your local American Spaces representative about hosting a skill-sharing course, a virtual program, or a speaker presentation with a fellow alumni or experts on a topic of your choice.
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
Updated December 2023
