The Public Affairs Section seeks to promote bilateral understanding through a wide-ranging program of U.S. funded academic and professional exchanges for students, teachers, university lecturers and younger professionals in a variety of fields.

Academic Exchanges

The Public Affairs Section conducts academic exchange programs from the secondary school through the undergraduate, graduate, and senior researcher levels to further understanding of the U.S., particularly in the fields of social sciences, humanities, management and business. The Section also works to foster the development of partnerships between U.S. and Ukrainian universities. Partner organizations including ACCELS, IREX, and the Fulbright Office assist in publicizing and implementing these programs. Educational advising centers provide information for Ukrainians interested in studying in the U.S. For more information about individual exchange programs, please click here.

Professional Exchanges

The U.S. government supports a number of professional exchange programs that allow mid-career Ukrainian professionals to travel to the United States on short-term programs (usually up to 30 days) for consultations with their American counterparts and to form ties with U.S. organizations. Professional exchanges include: the International Visitor Leadership Program, which arranges two- to three-week programs for future leaders in their field of expertise; the Open World Leadership Program, which offers 10-day targeted professional programs; Community Connections, which places Ukrainian professionals in short-term internships with U.S. businesses and other institutions; and the Citizens Exchange Program, which focuses enhancing institutional ties between U.S. and Ukrainian institutions in specialized fields. For more information about these programs, please click here.

Alumni Programs

The purpose of our alumni programs is to harness the energies of the many outstanding persons who have participated in one of our exchange programs, and make them a force for positive change in their country. These programs are administered by the alumni themselves, and may include seminars on topics of interest to alumni such as financial fraud or the issues involved in NATO accession. An Alumni Resource Center located in Kyiv is supported by the Embassy and helps to coordinate programs of interest to alumni. There are also a number of grant programs that provide seed money for projects or support alumni invited abroad to deliver papers at scientific conferences in their field of specialization.

Partner Organizations and Educational Advising Centers

While the Public Affairs Section coordinates and oversees the exchange programs funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, much of the actual administration, including distribution of applications and recruitment of candidates, is conducted by nongovernmental organizations operating in Ukraine, such as American Councils, IREX, and Project Harmony. Regional Educational Advising Centers provide information on studying in the U.S.

A Guide to studying in U.S.

Public Affairs Section (PAS)
Counselor for Public Affairs: Christopher Fitzgerald
Cultural Affairs Officer: Susan Cleary
Press Attache: Nancy Pettit
Phone: 380-44-490-4026 or 4042/Fax: 380-44-490-4050
4 Hlybochyts'ka St.
Kyiv 04050 Ukraine