Government Affairs and Advocacy
CIEE’s Government Affairs and Advocacy Team (GAA) works to promote and protect the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA program, CIEE’s college and high school study abroad programs, and funded international exchange programs.
What is BridgeUSA?
Led by the The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with organizations like CIEE, BridgeUSA brings roughly 300,000 international participants to the U.S. each year through unmatched cultural, educational, and professional exchange programs.
This integral program adds billions to the U.S. economy each year and adds, on average, 50 days to the tourism season, creating thousands of jobs for Americans. BridgeUSA shows the world the power and magic of American values, making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
“BridgeUSA... is a powerful engine for pro-U.S. diplomacy that delivers measurable benefits at the local level.”
—Rebecca A. Pasini, Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Private Sector Exchange, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
BridgeUSA Impact Stories, Newsletters, and Updates
GAA’s Monthly BridgeUSA Newsletters
BridgeUSA Impact Videos
CIEE Events and Initiatives
International Exchange Conference (IEC)
IEC brings global exchange leaders together to foster meaningful connections, share innovative ideas, and promote the power of public diplomacy.
CIEE's BridgeUSA Celebration Tour
The BridgeUSA Celebration Tour travels to local communities in America to celebrate the power and impact of BridgeUSA and the local leaders who champion the program.
Learn More About the BridgeUSA Celebration Tour and How to Get Involved
Johnny and Angie Young Civic Leadership Summit (YCLS)
YCLS is CIEE's biannual leadership program for emerging international changemakers. Since its founding in 2013, YCLS has helped hundreds of young leaders build leadership skills and develop strategies to advance peace.
Learn More About YCLS and its Fellows
CIEE and America250
CIEE is proud to be an official supporting partner of America250 – the national, nonpartisan organization Congress charged to lead celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Throughout 2026, CIEE will spotlight America250 events and projects that inspire national reflection and civic engagement.
Rick A. Ruth BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Scholarship
CIEE's annual Rick A. Ruth BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Scholarship supports ten international university students from countries with majority-Muslim populations. The scholarship winners are approved participants in the U.S. Department of State's BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program. Scholarship awardees spend their summer at iconic U.S. destinations where they are hosted by a CIEE BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Host Employer.
Contact Us
Whether you are a host employer, community leader, media partner, or advocate for exchange, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
Join us in celebrating the people and communities that make BridgeUSA possible.
