**Strengthening and Expanding the U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA Programs**

Join Us

1 in 3

current world leaders is an exchange alum

200+

countries represented

300,000

participants per year

55962_Access Scholars_Emna Mkaouar Tunisia_with J1 friends.jpg — Our Mission

The mission of the Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership (CAPDL) is to strengthen U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA programs by raising awareness of the many ways that they advance U.S. public diplomacy, national security, and economic prosperity.

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Our Focus

Education

Members inform Congress on the critical importance and positive impact of BridgeUSA programs on U.S. public diplomacy.

Members educate staff at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide about the value of BridgeUSA programs to their mission.

Outcomes

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange’s MODE Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for private sector BridgeUSA programs will be an important element in ensuring program quality.

best practices

Members work in collaboration with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange on developing and implementing new regulations.

Strong BridgeUSA programs require a strong regulatory framework.

BridgeUSA Impact

Supporting national security

BridgeUSA programs advances America’s diplomatic relations and bolsters national security by improving the perception of the U.S. in the eyes of future leaders from 200 countries and territories and building lasting ties between Americans and exchange visitors and program alumni.

Strengthening the U.S. economy

BridgeUSA programs support businesses across the U.S. by providing access to a highly qualified and motivated workforce that can offer high-need skills and an international perspective.

BridgeUSA programs are entirely self-funded and operate at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.

World leaders

One in three current world leaders is an alumnus of a Department of State international exchange program.

The BridgeUSA program participants enrich Deer Valley Resort year after year with a combination of enthusiasm and culture. Every winter, our guests enjoy interacting with our participants; asking where they are from, why they are in UTAH of all places, and what they are studying in university. The BridgeUSA programs are an asset to our company.

— HR Manager, Deer Valley Resort, Utah
It is very beneficial to our American employees to have employees from all over the world, as they are exposed to different ways of getting the job done. The cultural exchange that happens at work is priceless for both parties. Customers who interact with our guest-facing students report how much they enjoy meeting the students and learn things from them.

– People & Culture Manager, Pursuit Collection Glacier National Park
Our international staff bring culture, diversity, perspective, as well as new games and ideas which make camp fresh, exciting and most importantly, fun. Without BridgeUSA staff, there is no way Horizons could operate as it currently does, nor be as successful for our campers. I truly believe the cultural experience that both our campers and American staff receive from our International staff is life-changing, and incredibly rewarding from a summer job.

— Director of Staff Services, Horizons, Inc., CT
Because of our short 100-125 day summer season and domestic hiring challenges in general, the J1 program is essential for our business success. I appreciate your focus on growing this important program. The cultural experiences that are shared and the hospitality lessons that are learned are a valuable two-way benefit to both employer and employee.

— Vice President, People & Culture, Pursuit Collection
The reciprocal cultural education is not only immersive but enhances the overall experience for everyone in our community. However, we found last summer that J1 visa employees are 100% essential for a large seasonal business with 200 summer staff in an extremely remote location.

—Director, Camp Vega, ME
In providing a unique service to the community of special needs children, teens, and young adults, BridgeUSA programs have been instrumental in having a diverse and welcoming environment that makes the experience for our kids so amazing. While we always understood the value of the BridgeUSA programs to our campers, these past two summers have really reinforced just how magical and irreplaceable that part of our community has always been.

— Assistant Director, Summit Camp, PA