The State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) helps to orchestrate dozens of educational exchange programs around the world which aim to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.  Students can also study abroad through the EducationUSA program. These highly competitive programs aim to identify current and future leaders who will go to the U.S. with an open mind and commit to returning to their host country to share what they have learned with their fellow citizens.