After WWII, U.S.A. was regarded as a military and economic superpower of the world. The influence of the U.S.A. in the world grew rapidly and its leaders realized very soon that it is essential to make people around the world to understand the cultural and social values of the U.S.A.
Cultural exchange programs started from a simply observation: when a person goes to another country the mutual understanding between him and the people of that country is enhanced. So, these programs seek to develop cultural understanding between U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries, and can be regarded as a form of cultural diplomacy.
United States Cultural Exchange Programs