This U.S. State Department bureau fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries, largely through educational and cultural exchanges. It includes the International Visitor Leadership Program ( http://exchanges.state.gov/ivlp/ivlp.html ), Fulbright Program ( http://fulbright.state.gov/ ), other student exchange ( http://exchanges.state.gov/student.html ) opportunities, and youth exchange programs ( http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/index.html ), among others.

From the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics - a searchable database of nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the United States. The site also links to information on preparing for college, financial aid and career choices.

This directory from the Department of Education enables teachers, librarians, researchers and students to search for ( http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/index.cfm ) educational resource organizations and services at the state, regional and national levels.

ERIC is one of the largest digital repositories of journal article citations and other educational materials, including research reports, conference proceedings and policy papers. Much of the non-journal material is available full-text. ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

The portal page from the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs provides comprehensive information about higher education in the United States, including a multi-part publication in various languages, If You Want to Study in the United States. ( http://www.educationusa.state.gov/home/publications )

FREE is a group of more than 30 federal agencies providing access to hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources.

NCES, part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States and other nations. This Web site is the place to find annual reports, data tables, survey products and other research for all levels of education.

This is a collaboration of more than 200 higher education institutions and associated organizations from around the world offering free online access to educational materials.

This Department of State site describes the types of student visas, how to obtain one and general information about visa policy.

The mission of this cabinet-level department is "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." The department was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies (see Overview ( http://www.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml?src=gu ) for its structure and functions). Note that Web pages from the U.S. Department of Education are described elsewhere in this list.

A Department of Education resource for the international community seeking to understand the mission, organization and structure of the U.S. educational system and to find information on academic study programs in the United States. Material about education systems in other countries is also available.

Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans

Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities

from the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs

eJournal USA, December 2008

publication, September 2008

Publication, September 2007

eJournal USA, July 2007

Publication, March 2007

eJournal USA, November 2005

Publication, November 2005

eJournal USA, September 2005

eJournal USA, July 2005

Publication, September 2000

Education: Driving Tomorrow's Achievements ( http://amlife.america.gov/amlife/education/index.html )

Student Corner ( http://www.america.gov/publications/student-corner.html)

ACE, the major coordinating body for the entire spectrum of U.S. higher education institutions, provides leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues.

This is the primary advocacy organization for America's 1,173 public and independent community colleges.

CIEE, a nonprofit organization, creates and administers programs that allow U.S. high school and university students and educators to study and teach abroad, and facilitates work, travel and training programs in the United States for international students and teachers.

The Education Commission of the States is a nonprofit, nonpartisan interstate organization that facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders from all levels of the U.S. education system. The Web site provides documents, facts and lists of links on a wide range of education topics.

The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA. Among other topics, this site provides information for international students on college admissions, passports and visas, traveling to and living in the United States, and a discussion of cultural customs and differences.

The eGranary Digital Library places Internet resources on a server on university campuses in developing countries that have little or no Internet connectivity. The materials can be accessed by patrons over their local area networks at no cost. It is a part of the University of Iowa's WiderNet Project ( http://www.widernet.org/digitalLibrary/index.htm ).

A nonprofit consortium providing database access to thousands of lesson plans and other educational resources found on various federal, state, university, nonprofit and commercial Internet sites.

This nonprofit organization brings teachers and students together worldwide to participate in collaborative online learning projects.Among other projects, it co-sponsors and manages the State Department's annual Doors to Diplomacy ( http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsndoors/index.cfm ) contest, which challenges students worldwide to create Web sites that teach the importance of international affairs and diplomacy.

Information for students interested in studying in the U.S. includes overviews and articles ( http://www.useduguides.com/guidance )on choosing schools, preparing for study in the U.S., understanding U.S.culture and exploring "A Day in the Life of a U.S. Student."

An independent nonprofit founded in 1919, IIE is an experienced leader in international education and training programs, with 18,000 men and women from 175 nations participating in IIE programs each year. Among its research and evaluation products is its flagship project, Open Doors, a critical resource for understanding student mobility trends to and from the U.S.

IES assists students in finding an appropriate college or university in the U.S. The site includes a listing of universities and colleges interested in attracting students from abroad as well as information for educational advisors.

NAFSA promotes exchanges of students and scholars to and from the U.S. The nonprofit association provides professional education and training and acts as a forum for sharing ideas on international education.

A description of higher education in the United States, types of U.S. institutions, the academic calendar and advice on how to apply to a college or university.

This portal offers links for study abroad programs for both U.S. students and non-U.S.students ( http://www.studyabroad.com/usa.html ). It offers links to English language ( http://english.studyabroad.com/usamenu.html ) instruction programs throughout the United States.

TOEFL measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. TOEFL's site includes a registration center, sample questions, test preparation tips, worldwide locations of test centers and other information.

Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State