Each year more than 40,000 participants from countries around the world and the United States have opportunities to build common bonds, share ideas, and further mutual understanding through a variety of exchange programs managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State.
Participation in an exchange program is not a one-time event; it marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship between you, those you met on your exchange experience, and the United States. An ECA alumnus is any person who was selected for and has participated in a program fully or partially funded by the State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Once the person has participated in the program they become an alumnus/a.
U.S. government exchanges in the Philippines started in 1948 with the launch of the Fulbright program. Today, approximately 300 Filipinos participate in U.S. government exchanges annually. There are currently more than 9,000 Filipinos and Americans who are alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchanges between the Philippines and the United States. These alumni include youth, mid-career professionals, and senior officials who represent all sectors from both countries. The connections forged between Filipinos and Americans through these exchange programs have helped build mutual understanding and strengthened a robust bilateral relationship. Upon their return, exchange program alumni have contributed to the development of the Philippines and continued to connect and work with alumni from around the globe.
As part of the U.S. Department of State’s commitment to this “global community,” alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs are invited to join the exclusive global network, State Alumni. Alumni leverage the community to stay in touch with fellow alumni and with the U.S. Embassy in Manila, so that their exchange experience continues when they return home.
This worldwide community offers alumni a place to:
- Network with alumni from all exchange programs
- Share information about alumni activities, ideas, or news
- Participate in live Q&A discussions with experts
- Access valuable resources such as grants, job opportunities, and research databases with free academic journals, newspapers, and periodicals
- Receive regular updates, announcements, and invitations to alumni events
- Take part in U.S. Embassy Manila activities
- Keep contact information up-to-date
In short, State Alumni is a platform from which to continue the Alumni’s international experience.
Another unique attribute of U.S. exchange alumni in the Philippines is the dynamism of the Filipino exchange alumni associations. Through 30 alumni associations, alumni actively leverage their exchange experiences to develop programs and projects to address some of the Philippines’ most pressing needs and our shared goals. These include improving the quality of education, promoting inclusive economic development, advancing rule of law, promoting peace and security, and enhancing environmental resource management. Exchange alumni may engage in these projects by getting in touch with their respective associations.
In 2020, U.S. exchange alumni associations generated 158 projects that engaged more than 3,800 people. Learn more about these projects and initiatives here: 2020 U.S.-PH Exchange Alumni Report
For more information, please contact your Alumni Coordinator at
Cultural Affairs Office
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy, Manila
Tel. No. (632) 5301-2000 ext. 3748
Fax. No. (632) 5301-2468
Email: alumniphilippines@state.gov
Embassy website
Follow U.S. International Exchange Alumni-Philippines on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ExchangeAlumniPH/.