CINXE.COM
Benefits of Joining | International Exchange Alumni
<!DOCTYPE html> <!--[if IEMobile 7]><html class="iem7" lang="en" dir="ltr"><![endif]--> <!--[if lte IE 6]><html class="lt-ie9 lt-ie8 lt-ie7" lang="en" dir="ltr"><![endif]--> <!--[if (IE 7)&(!IEMobile)]><html class="lt-ie9 lt-ie8" lang="en" dir="ltr"><![endif]--> <!--[if IE 8]><html class="lt-ie9" lang="en" dir="ltr"><![endif]--> <!--[if (gte IE 9)|(gt IEMobile 7)]><!--><html lang="en" dir="ltr" xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" xmlns:article="http://ogp.me/ns/article#" xmlns:book="http://ogp.me/ns/book#" xmlns:profile="http://ogp.me/ns/profile#" xmlns:video="http://ogp.me/ns/video#" xmlns:product="http://ogp.me/ns/product#" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:foaf="http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/" xmlns:rdfs="http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#" xmlns:sioc="http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns#" xmlns:sioct="http://rdfs.org/sioc/types#" xmlns:skos="http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#"><!--<![endif]--> <head profile="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab"> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://alumni.state.gov/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://alumni.state.gov/node/838" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="International Exchange Alumni" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://alumni.state.gov/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Benefits of Joining" /> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2020-02-19T10:46:31-05:00" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://alumni.state.gov/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Benefits of Joining" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2012-11-16T14:17:54-05:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2020-02-19T10:46:31-05:00" /> <title>Benefits of Joining | International Exchange Alumni</title> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width"> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> <meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on"> <style> @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/system/system.base.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/system/system.messages.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/system/system.theme.css?snkt5v"); </style> <style> @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/alumni_member_directory/member_directory.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/alumni_user_login_form/login.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/alumni_user_profile_details/profile_details.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/comment/comment.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/date/date_api/date.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/date/date_popup/themes/datepicker.1.7.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/eca_panel_panes/css/panel_panes.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/fences/field.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/node/node.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/rpx/rpx_widgets.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/search/search.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/sheetnode/sheetnode.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/modules/user/user.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/views/css/views.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/media/modules/media_wysiwyg/css/media_wysiwyg.base.css?snkt5v"); </style> <style> @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/float_box/css/float_box.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/ctools/css/ctools.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/facebook_pull/facebook_pull.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/layouts/eca_twocol_modular/eca_twocol_modular.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/hierarchical_select/hierarchical_select.css?snkt5v"); </style> <style> @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/css/uniform.default.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/css/wireframes.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/css/tabs.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/css/print.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/css/eca_global.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/normalize.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/html-elements.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/layouts/responsive-sidebars.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/sprites.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/navigation.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/blocks.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/views-styles.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/nodes.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/forms.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/fields.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/pages.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/css/ckeditor.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/css/eca_alumni_network.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/css/eca_alumni_network2.css?snkt5v"); @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/css/eca_alumni_network_sprites.css?snkt5v"); </style> <style> @import url("https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/css/uncompiled.css?snkt5v"); </style> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/files/alumni/google_tag/google_tag.script.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/misc/jquery.js?v=1.4.4"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/misc/jquery-extend-3.4.0.js?v=1.4.4"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/misc/jquery-html-prefilter-3.5.0-backport.js?v=1.4.4"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/misc/jquery.once.js?v=1.2"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/misc/drupal.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/misc/jquery.cookie.js?v=1.0"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/eca_panel_panes/js/eca_panel_panes.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/custom/float_box/js/float_box.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/google_analytics/googleanalytics.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Z0VD6FG4LW"></script> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)};gtag("js", new Date());gtag("set", "developer_id.dMDhkMT", true);gtag("config", "G-Z0VD6FG4LW", {"groups":"default","page_path":location.pathname + location.search + location.hash,"link_attribution":true});</script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/js/breakpoints/breakpoints.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/js/modernizr.custom.83244.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/js/jquery.formalize.min.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/js/jquery.uniform.min.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_global/js/eca_global.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_shared/js/eca_shared.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/js/eca_alumni_network.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/js/hotjar.js?snkt5v"></script> <script src="https://alumni.state.gov/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/js/universal-federated-analytics.1.0.js?snkt5v"></script> <script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"eca_alumni_network","theme_token":"aMAN9ESRvH9QzchnErNGAEr2PgmG9p11EceFnHF394k","css":{"modules\/system\/system.base.css":1,"modules\/system\/system.menus.css":1,"modules\/system\/system.messages.css":1,"modules\/system\/system.theme.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/alumni_member_directory\/member_directory.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/alumni_user_login_form\/login.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/alumni_user_profile_details\/profile_details.css":1,"modules\/comment\/comment.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/date\/date_api\/date.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/date\/date_popup\/themes\/datepicker.1.7.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/eca_panel_panes\/css\/panel_panes.css":1,"modules\/field\/theme\/field.css":1,"modules\/node\/node.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/rpx\/rpx_widgets.css":1,"modules\/search\/search.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/sheetnode\/socialcalc\/socialcalc.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/sheetnode\/sheetnode.css":1,"modules\/user\/user.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/extlink\/extlink.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/views\/css\/views.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/media\/modules\/media_wysiwyg\/css\/media_wysiwyg.base.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/float_box\/css\/float_box.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/ctools\/css\/ctools.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/facebook_pull\/facebook_pull.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/panels\/css\/panels.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/layouts\/eca_twocol_modular\/eca_twocol_modular.css":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/hierarchical_select\/hierarchical_select.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/system.menus.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/formalize.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/uniform.default.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/wireframes.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/tabs.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/print.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/eca_global.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/normalize.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/html-elements.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/layouts\/responsive-sidebars.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/sprites.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/navigation.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/blocks.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/views-styles.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/nodes.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/forms.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/fields.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/pages.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/panels.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/ckeditor.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/css\/eca_alumni_network.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/css\/eca_alumni_network2.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/css\/eca_alumni_network_sprites.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/css\/uncompiled.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/css\/uncompiled.css":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/css\/uncompiled.css":1},"js":{"public:\/\/google_tag\/google_tag.script.js":1,"misc\/jquery.js":1,"misc\/jquery-extend-3.4.0.js":1,"misc\/jquery-html-prefilter-3.5.0-backport.js":1,"misc\/jquery.once.js":1,"misc\/drupal.js":1,"misc\/jquery.cookie.js":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/eca_panel_panes\/js\/eca_panel_panes.js":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/extlink\/extlink.js":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/custom\/float_box\/js\/float_box.js":1,"sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/google_analytics\/googleanalytics.js":1,"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=G-Z0VD6FG4LW":1,"0":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/js\/breakpoints\/breakpoints.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/js\/modernizr.custom.83244.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/js\/jquery.formalize.min.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/js\/jquery.uniform.min.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_global\/js\/eca_global.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_shared\/js\/eca_shared.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/js\/eca_alumni_network.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/js\/hotjar.js":1,"sites\/all\/themes\/custom\/eca_alumni_network\/js\/universal-federated-analytics.1.0.js":1}},"jcarousel":{"ajaxPath":"\/jcarousel\/ajax\/views"},"extlink":{"extTarget":0,"extClass":0,"extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are now leaving Alumni.State.Gov and entering another site.","mailtoClass":0,"mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)"},"googleanalytics":{"account":["G-Z0VD6FG4LW"],"trackOutbound":1,"trackMailto":1,"trackDownload":1,"trackDownloadExtensions":"7z|aac|arc|arj|asf|asx|avi|bin|csv|doc|epub|exe|flv|gif|gz|gzip|hqx|jar|jpe?g|js|mp(2|3|4|e?g)|mobi|mov(ie)?|msi|msp|pdf|phps|png|ppt|qtm?|ra(m|r)?|sea|sit|tar|tgz|torrent|txt|wav|wma|wmv|wpd|xls|xml|z|zip","trackUrlFragments":1},"urlIsAjaxTrusted":{"\/about-exchange-alumni\/benefits-joining":true}});</script> <!--[if lt IE 9]> <script src="/sites/all/themes/contrib/zen/js/html5-respond.js"></script> <![endif]--> </head> <body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-838 node-type-two-column-page section-about-exchange-alumni site-alumni is-panel-page panel-layout-eca-twocol-modular with-breadcrumbs node-title-level3 page-network-grants-and-resources" > <p id="skip-link"> <a href="#main-menu" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Jump to navigation</a> </p> <div class="region region-page-top"> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TQRGNJ" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> </div><!-- /.region --> <div id="brand-bar"> <div class="wrapper"> <nav role="navigation"> <div class="region region-brand-bar"> <div id="block-menu-menu-brand-bar" class="block block-menu first last odd" role="navigation"> <div class="block-content"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf link-covid-"><a href="https://eca.state.gov/covid-19-updates" class="link-covid-">COVID-19</a></li><li class="leaf link-eca"><a href="http://eca.state.gov" class="link-eca">ECA</a></li><li class="leaf link-alumni active">Alumni</li><li class="leaf link-american-english"><a href="https://americanenglish.state.gov" class="link-american-english">American English</a></li><li class="leaf link-educationusa"><a href="http://educationusa.state.gov" class="link-educationusa">EducationUSA</a></li><li class="leaf link-exchanges"><a href="http://exchanges.state.gov" class="link-exchanges">Exchanges</a></li><li class="leaf link-j-visa"><a href="http://j1visa.state.gov/" class="link-j-visa">J-1 Visa</a></li><li class="last leaf link-studyabroad"><a href="https://studyabroad.state.gov" class="link-studyabroad">StudyAbroad</a></li></ul> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- /.region --> <h5><a href="http://www.state.gov" style="color: rgb(255,255,255)">United States Department of State</a></h5> </nav> </div> </div><!-- /#brand-bar --> <div id="canvas"> <header id="header" role="banner"> <a href="/" title="Home" rel="home" id="logo-wide"><img src="/sites/all/themes/custom/eca_alumni_network/exchange_alumni_logo.png" alt="Home" /></a> <div id="gte_wrapper"> <a href="/translate">View disclaimer</a> <div id="google_translate_element"></div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> function googleTranslateElementInit() { new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', gaTrack: true, autoDisplay: false, includedLanguages: 'en,ar,es,fr,ru,zh-CN,de,ja,ur', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE}, 'google_translate_element'); document.getElementsByClassName('goog-te-gadget-icon')[0].setAttribute("alt", "Google Translate Icon"); } </script><script type="text/javascript" src="//translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> setTimeout(function(){var a=document.createElement("script"); var b=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; a.src=document.location.protocol+"//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0041/8523.js?"+Math.floor(new Date().getTime()/3600000); a.async=true;a.type="text/javascript";b.parentNode.insertBefore(a,b)}, 1); </script> <!-- We participate in the US government's analytics program. See the data at analytics.usa.gov. --> <script async type="text/javascript" src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=DOS&subagency=ECA&siteplatform=Alumni" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script> </header> <div id="page"> <div class="region region-header-search"> <div id="block-apachesolr-panels-search-form" class="block block-apachesolr-panels first last odd"> <div class="block-content"> <form action="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" method="post" id="apachesolr-panels-search-block" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-apachesolr-panels-search-form"> <label class="element-invisible" for="edit-apachesolr-panels-search-form">Search</label> <input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." type="text" id="edit-apachesolr-panels-search-form" name="apachesolr_panels_search_form" value="" size="15" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-4iP4VVZuTiAKxF76G-XWWL4oa2c_9GajLysy6cAWTtI" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="apachesolr_panels_search_block" /> <div class="form-actions form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"><input type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Search" class="form-submit" /></div></div></form> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- /.region --> <div id="main"> <div id="navigation"> <nav id="main-menu" role="navigation"> <h2 class="menu-title">Menu</h2> <div class="region region-navigation"> <div id="block-menu-block-1" class="block block-menu-block first last odd" role="navigation"> <div class="block-content"> <span class="menu-disabled-badge">for members</span><div class="menu-block-wrapper menu-block-1 menu-name-main-menu parent-mlid-0 menu-level-1"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf has-children menu-mlid-7100 link-about"><a href="/about-exchangealumni" class="link-about">About</a></li><li class="leaf has-children menu-mlid-7101 link-alumni-news"><a href="/alumni-news" class="link-alumni-news">Alumni News</a></li><li class="leaf has-children menu-mlid-27873 link-resources-for-entrepreneurs"><a href="/resources-entrepreneurs" class="link-resources-for-entrepreneurs">Resources for Entrepreneurs</a></li><li class="leaf has-children active-trail active menu-mlid-30133 link-network-grants-and-resources"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" class="active-trail link-network-grants-and-resources active">Network, Grants, and Resources</a></li><li class="last leaf has-children menu-mlid-27869 link-u-s-exchangealumni"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni" class="link-u-s-exchangealumni">U.S. ExchangeAlumni</a></li></ul></div> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- /.region --> </nav> </div><!-- /#navigation --> <div id="masthead"> <div class="region region-highlighted"> <div id="block-sharethis-sharethis-block" class="block block-sharethis first last odd"> <h2 class="block-title">Share</h2> <div class="block-content"> <div class="sharethis-wrapper"><span st_url="https://alumni.state.gov/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" st_title="Network, Grants, and Resources" class="st_email_large" displaytext="email"></span> <span st_url="https://alumni.state.gov/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" st_title="Network, Grants, and Resources" class="st_facebook_large" displaytext="facebook"></span> <span st_url="https://alumni.state.gov/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" st_title="Network, Grants, and Resources" class="st_twitter_large" displaytext="twitter"></span> <script type='text/javascript'>var switchTo5x = true;</script><script type='text/javascript' src='https://ws.sharethis.com/button/buttons.js'></script><script type="text/javascript">stLight.options({onhover: false});</script><script type='text/javascript'>stLight.options({"publisher":"dr-5e7891f3-83f4-571-712-bdb028dfd86"});</script></div> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- /.region --> <h1 class="title" id="page-title"><span class="level3">Benefits of Joining</span></h1> <div class="region region-help"> <div id="block-block-10" class="block block-block first last odd"> <div class="block-content"> <div style="background-color: #0071bc; padding: .5em;margin-top: -37px;margin-right: -16px;margin-left: -16px;margin-bottom: -26.8px;"><p style="color:#ffffff; letter-spacing: 0.32px;font-family:'Public Sans',sans-serif !important;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none; font-size: 15px;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;margin-left: 10px;">ExchangeAlumni, you can connect with fellow alumni and find grant opportunities on our new website at <a href="https://exchangealumni.state.gov/s/portal?language=en_US" style="color:#ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">exchangealumni.state.gov</a>. We'll continue to feature news and stories about ExchangeAlumni on this site.</p></div><br><br> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- /.region --> </div> <div id="content" class="column" role="main"> <div class="wrapper"> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="panel-display panel-eca-twocol-modular" > <div class="center-wrapper clearfix"> <div class="panel-panel panel-col-last"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="right-wrapper"> <div class="panel-panel panel-col-left"> <div class="panel-pane pane-fieldable-panels-pane pane-current-166 pane-bundle-rich-text-area" > <div class="pane-content"> <div class="field-rta-html"> <h3>Connect. Empower. Inspire.</h3> <p><a href="https://alumni.state.gov/">https://alumni.state.gov/</a> is an exclusive online community for all who have participated and completed a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program. Join thousands of fellow ExchangeAlumni in this community to connect, get empowered to build on the skills you gained during your international exchange experience, and get inspiration to use your exchange experiences in your community!</p> <p>Through your account on <a href="https://alumni.state.gov/">www.exchangealumni.state.gov</a>, you鈥檒l be able to:</p> <ul><li>Find alumni to network with locally and globally</li> <li>Tap into multiple grant opportunities via Candid's Foundation Directory Online (FDO) and Grants to Individuals (GTI)</li> <li>Access periodicals, scholarly journals, and articles through Gale and EBSCO's premiere academic databases</li> </ul><p>All this information and more is available to you, for free, at <a href="https://alumni.state.gov/">exchangealumni.state.gov</a>. So don鈥檛 delay - <a href="https://alumni.state.gov/account-inquiry">get started today!</a></p> <p>Join us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalExchangeAlumni">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/exchangealumni">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/voicesofexchange/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/exchangealumni/">LinkedIn</a>, to connect with more ExchangeAlumni, hear about career opportunities and professional development tips, and catch the latest MentorTalks episodes.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel-panel panel-col-right"> <div class="panel-pane pane-alumn-of-the-month" > <h3 class="pane-title">Alumna of the Month</h3> <div class="pane-content"> <div class="node-24551 node node-alumni-story node-promoted view-mode-alumn_of_the_month clearfix" about="/alumni-story/exchangealumni-michelle-ciulla-lipkin-strengthening-democracy-through-media-literacy" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="image-wrapper"> <div class="info"> <h2 class="name"> Michelle Ciulla L. </h2> <span class="field-home-country"><span class="lineage-item lineage-item-level-0">United States</span></span> </div> <div class="trans"></div> <div class="field-alumnistory-profile-img"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/alumni-story/exchangealumni-michelle-ciulla-lipkin-strengthening-democracy-through-media-literacy"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://alumni.state.gov/files/alumni/cuilla-lipkin_image_1x1.jpg" width="480" height="480" alt="Michelle Lipkin" /></a></div></div></div> </div> <p>Media Literacy seems to be the buzzword these days. What does it really mean? Why is it so important? Meet #ExchangeAlumni Michelle Ciulla Lipkin.</p> <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment_forbidden first last"><span><a href="/user/login?destination=node/24551%23comment-form">Log in</a> to post comments</span></li> </ul> </div><!-- /.node --><a href="/alumni-story/exchangealumni-michelle-ciulla-lipkin-strengthening-democracy-through-media-literacy" class="more-link">View story <span class="arrow"></span></a> </div> <br class="clearfix" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel-panel panel-col-first"> <div id="block-menu-block-8" class="block block-menu-block first odd" role="navigation"> <h2 class="block-title"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" class="active-trail active">Network, Grants, and Resources</a></h2> <div class="block-content"> <div class="menu-block-wrapper menu-block-8 menu-name-main-menu parent-mlid-0 menu-level-2"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first collapsed menu-mlid-29416 link-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-"><a href="/aeif" class="link-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-">Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)</a></li><li class="collapsed menu-mlid-30107 link-citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf-"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf" class="link-citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf-">Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF)</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-7124 link-research-tools"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining/research-tools" class="link-research-tools">Research Tools</a></li><li class="collapsed menu-mlid-27862 link-career-center"><a href="/competitions-resources/career-center" class="link-career-center">Career Center</a></li><li class="last leaf menu-mlid-29060 link-find-fellow-alumni"><a href="https://alumni.state.gov/network-and-collaborate/alumni-directory" class="link-find-fellow-alumni">Find Fellow Alumni</a></li></ul></div> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div> </div> </div> <!-- block__no_wrapper --> <!-- region__no_wrapper --> </div> </div><!-- /#content --> </div><!-- /#main --> </div><!-- /#page --> </div><!-- /#canvas --> <footer id="footer"> <div class="footer-inner"> <div class="wrapper"> <hgroup id="footer-name-and-slogan"> <h5 id="footer-site-name"> <span class="site-name-prefix">Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs</span> <span class="site-name">International Exchange Alumni</span> </h5> </hgroup><!-- /#footer-name-and-slogan --> <div class="region region-footer"> <div id="block-menu-menu-footer-social-links" class="block block-menu first odd" role="navigation"> <div class="block-content"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf link-facebook"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/InternationalExchangeAlumni" class="link-facebook link-facebook">Facebook</a></li><li class="leaf link-linkedin"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/exchangealumni" class="link-linkedin link-linkedin">LinkedIn</a></li><li class="leaf link-rss"><a href="/rss/public" class="link-rss link-rss">RSS</a></li><li class="leaf link-instagram"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/voicesofexchange/" class="link-instagram link-instagram">Instagram</a></li><li class="last leaf link-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/exchangealumni?lang=en" class="link-twitter link-twitter">Twitter</a></li></ul> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> <div id="block-eca-search-api-search-form" class="block block-eca-search-api last even"> <div class="block-content"> <form action="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" method="post" id="apachesolr-panels-search-block--2" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-apachesolr-panels-search-form"> <label class="element-invisible" for="edit-apachesolr-panels-search-form--2">Search</label> <input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." type="text" id="edit-apachesolr-panels-search-form--2" name="apachesolr_panels_search_form" value="" size="15" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-RcQkDk5Po6drrgeATARc1Hz34qGcKq1g536ZdNpf5hM" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="apachesolr_panels_search_block" /> <div class="form-actions form-wrapper" id="edit-actions--2"><input type="submit" id="edit-submit--2" name="op" value="Search" class="form-submit" /></div></div></form> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- region__footer --> </div> <div class="wrapper"> <div id="sitemap"> <div class="region region-footer-sitemap"> <div id="block-menu-block-9" class="block block-menu-block first odd" role="navigation"> <div class="block-content"> <div class="menu-block-wrapper menu-block-9 menu-name-main-menu parent-mlid-0 menu-level-1"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first expanded menu-mlid-7100 link-about"><a href="/about-exchangealumni" class="link-about">About</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-12800 link-frequently-asked-questions"><a href="/about-exchangealumni/frequently-asked-questions" class="link-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li class="leaf has-children menu-mlid-12808 link-terms-of-service"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/terms-service" class="link-terms-of-service">Terms of Service</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-7792 link-contact-us"><a href="/contact-us" class="link-contact-us">Contact Us</a></li><li class="last leaf menu-mlid-27870 link-account-inquiry-registration"><a href="/account-inquiry" class="link-account-inquiry-registration">Account Inquiry/ Registration</a></li></ul></li><li class="expanded menu-mlid-7101 link-alumni-news"><a href="/alumni-news" class="link-alumni-news">Alumni News</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-7111 link-alumni-highlights"><a href="/alumni-news/highlights" class="link-alumni-highlights">Alumni Highlights</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-30853 link-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-"><a href="https://alumni.state.gov/aeif" class="link-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-">Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) </a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-29058 link-alumni-thematic-international-exchange-seminars-ties-"><a href="/alumni-news/alumni-thematic-international-exchange-seminars-alumni-ties" class="link-alumni-thematic-international-exchange-seminars-ties-">Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (TIES)</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-30114 link-american-spaces"><a href="/alumni-news/american-spaces-ready-welcome-you" class="link-american-spaces">American Spaces</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-30671 link-citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf-"><a href="https://alumni.state.gov/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf/cdaf-stories" class="link-citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf-">Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF)</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-29419 link-mentortalks"><a href="https://alumni.state.gov/alumni-news/mentortalks" class="link-mentortalks">MentorTalks</a></li><li class="last leaf menu-mlid-30117 link-voices-of-exchange"><a href="/voicesofexchange" class="link-voices-of-exchange">Voices of Exchange</a></li></ul></li><li class="expanded menu-mlid-27873 link-resources-for-entrepreneurs"><a href="/resources-entrepreneurs" class="link-resources-for-entrepreneurs">Resources for Entrepreneurs</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-29418 link-mentortalks"><a href="/resources-entrepreneurs/mentortalks" class="link-mentortalks">MentorTalks</a></li><li class="last leaf menu-mlid-30676 link-career-connections"><a href="/resources-entrepreneurs/career-connections" class="link-career-connections">Career Connections</a></li></ul></li><li class="expanded active-trail active menu-mlid-30133 link-network-grants-and-resources"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining" class="active-trail link-network-grants-and-resources active">Network, Grants, and Resources</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf has-children menu-mlid-29416 link-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-"><a href="/aeif" class="link-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-">Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)</a></li><li class="leaf has-children menu-mlid-30107 link-citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf-"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf" class="link-citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf-">Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF)</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-7124 link-research-tools"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/benefits-joining/research-tools" class="link-research-tools">Research Tools</a></li><li class="leaf has-children menu-mlid-27862 link-career-center"><a href="/competitions-resources/career-center" class="link-career-center">Career Center</a></li><li class="last leaf menu-mlid-29060 link-find-fellow-alumni"><a href="https://alumni.state.gov/network-and-collaborate/alumni-directory" class="link-find-fellow-alumni">Find Fellow Alumni</a></li></ul></li><li class="last expanded menu-mlid-27869 link-u-s-exchangealumni"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni" class="link-u-s-exchangealumni">U.S. ExchangeAlumni</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf has-children menu-mlid-27860 link-career-connections"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/career-connections-seminars-us-exchangealumni" class="link-career-connections">Career Connections</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-27858 link-u-s-alumni-ties"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/join-us-us-alumni-ties" class="link-u-s-alumni-ties">U.S. Alumni TIES</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-27857 link-alumni-associations-and-networks"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/connect-us-alumni-associations" class="link-alumni-associations-and-networks">Alumni Associations and Networks</a></li><li class="leaf menu-mlid-27868 link-u-s-alumni-toolkit"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/us-alumni-toolkit" class="link-u-s-alumni-toolkit">U.S. Alumni Toolkit</a></li><li class="last leaf menu-mlid-27853 link-non-competitive-eligibility-nce-"><a href="/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/non-competitive-eligibility-nce" class="link-non-competitive-eligibility-nce-">Non-competitive Eligibility (NCE)</a></li></ul></li></ul></div> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> <div id="block-menu-menu-u-s-department-of-state" class="block block-menu last even" role="navigation"> <h2 class="block-title">U.S. Department of State</h2> <div class="block-content"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf link-foia-requests"><a href="https://foia.state.gov/" class="link-foia-requests">FOIA Requests</a></li><li class="leaf link-privacy-notice"><a href="/about-international-exchange-alumni/terms-service/privacy-notice" class="link-privacy-notice">Privacy Notice</a></li><li class="leaf link-copyright-information-"><a href="http://www.state.gov/misc/87529.htm#copyright" class="link-copyright-information-">Copyright Information </a></li><li class="leaf link-terms-of-service"><a href="/about-exchange-alumni/terms-service" class="link-terms-of-service">Terms of Service</a></li><li class="leaf link-contact-us"><a href="mailto:exchangealumni@state.gov" class="link-contact-us">Contact Us</a></li><li class="last leaf link-get-adobe-reader"><a href="http://get.adobe.com/reader" class="link-get-adobe-reader">Get Adobe Reader</a></li></ul> </div> </div><!-- /.block --> </div><!-- /.region --> </div> <!-- /#sitemap --> </div> </div> </footer><!-- /#footer --> </body> </html>