My Pride in Exchange Programs

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' (ECA) "My Pride in Exchange Programs" campaign showcases the importance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) inclusion and diversity within international exchange program participants.

We want you to be a part of the campaign by submitting photos and videos! Please follow the photo and video submission guidelines below to learn how to participate.

Selected submissions will be promoted on this web page and on Exchange Programs at State Facebook Page with the hashtag #MyPride.

Stay Safe, Travel Smart

We accept submissions on a rolling basis. Please submit your story at any time. There is no deadline

Read the full photo and video submission guidelines below or Download the Instructions (PDF).

Check out the playlist of current submissions!

Follow our #MyPride Vimeo Channel

Video Submissions

In your video, introduce yourself with your first name, where you are from, and the name of the program in which you participated (e.g., I am Jeremy from the United States, and I am a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to Indonesia). We also encourage you to shape your answers around the hashtag of this campaign, #MyPride (e.g., My pride in my exchange program comes from...)

Please answer one or all of the questions below in your video:

  • What does having pride in your exchange experience mean to you?
  • What would you recommend to someone who might be concerned how their sexual orientation or gender identity could affect their exchange program experience?
  • Describe an important moment from your exchange program in relation to your sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • If you have completed your exchange program, how have you shared your exchange experiences upon your return home?

Videos must be no longer than 45 seconds.

Send video (.MOV, .MP4 or .WMV) to mypride@state.gov

Photo Submissions

Write on a blank sign why you have pride in your exchange program experience. Be sure to include the hashtag #MyPride, your name, country and exchange program you participated in. Take a photo of yourself holding a sign and email it to mypride@state.gov

MyPride Slideshow

Check out examples of some of our current submissions

#MyPride Campaign Photos

Click and select photo to view full-size