ECA Program Alumni Survey
Instructions for survey administrators: Alumni should receive the survey at the following intervals: one year, three years and five years after program participation
Introduction and Privacy Act Statement:
The Evaluation Division of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) would like to ask you a few questions about your knowledge, attitudes, and future plans following your program experience. [SPECIFIC PROGRAM LANGUAGE TO BE TAILORED AS NEEDED]
AUTHORITY: The information on this form is requested under the authority of 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq (Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961), P.L. 103-62 (Government Performance and Results Act of 1993), and P.L. 111-352 (Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010).
PURPOSE: The purpose of gathering this information is to track program performance and the direction, pace, and magnitude of change for ECA programs.
ROUTINE USES: The information on this form may be shared with members of Congress, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). De-identified data files may be shared (without Personally Identifiable Information such as names or contact information) with ECA implementing partners and external researchers who are assisting ECA in measuring its impact. More information on the Routine Uses for the system can be found in the System of Records Notice State-08, Educational and Cultural Exchange Program Records.
DISCLOSURE: Responding to this survey is voluntary. The answers you provide on the survey will have no bearing on your participation in alumni activities or any future applications you may submit for U.S. State Department programs.
By clicking “Consent and Enter Survey” button below, you are consenting to the above terms.
You can read ECA’s full data sharing and storage policy here: [LINK TO DATA POLICY]
Please complete this survey by [DEADLINE]. The survey has [NUMBER OF QUESTIONS] questions and will take approximately [TIME ESTIMATE] minutes to complete.
Thank you in advance for your time and participation!
[CONSENT AND ENTER SURVEY BUTTON]
Program Questions
Please select any ECA programs from the list below that you have participated in: [Drop-down ECA programs, including “Other” option]
Please provide the following information for each program:
**A reciprocal exchange is if you went abroad after having an individual from another country visit your home, school, or workplace as part of a Department of State ECA program**
|
Year of participation |
Reciprocal Exchange |
Selected program 1 |
[year drop down] |
[y/n] |
Selected program 2 |
[year drop down] |
[y/n] |
Selected program 3 |
[year drop down] |
[y/n] |
Unique Identifier Questions
The responses to the following four questions will be used to create a Respondent Unique UD, which will be unique to you. We will use this unique ID to match your responses across different surveys while maintaining your anonymity.
What is the first initial of your middle name? (If you do not have a middle name, enter “X”) (drop down)
What are the first two letters of your mother’s first name? (drop down)
What are the first two letters of your father’s name? (drop down)
What are the digits of the day of the month on which you were born as a 2-digit number (e.g. 06, 12, 25) (drop down)
What are the last two digits of your birth year (drop down)
Demographic Questions
Please check the option that best describes your gender:
Male
Female
Non-Binary
I do not wish to respond
Please select the country of your citizenship at the time of your most recent exchange: [Drop-down countries]
If country other than “United States”, skip to Q12.
Please select the State you were living in when you participated in your most recent ECA program: [Drop-down State]
What is your race or ethnicity? Mark one or more.
White
Hispanic or Latino
Black or African American
Asian
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Cross-Cultural Competency
FBS 1.1.1a/ E1.1.4 (Foreign)- How have your views of the United States Government and the American people evolved since your program participation?
|
Less favorable |
No change- my has remained unfavorable |
No change- my view has remained favorable |
More favorable |
E1.1.4- United States Government |
|
|
|
|
FBS1.1.1a- American People |
|
|
|
|
FBS 1.1.1b (Foreign)- How much did participation in the program change your understanding or knowledge of the following topics?
|
No change |
Minimal change |
Moderate change |
Substantial change |
United States democracy |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
United States economy |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Foreign affairs in the United States |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Domestic affairs in the United States |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
United States values and culture |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Daily life in the United States |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Religious and ethnic diversity in the United States |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Freedom of speech and press in the United States |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Voluntary community service in the United States |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
E1.1.11 (American)- How much did participation in the program change your understanding or knowledge of the following topics?
|
No change |
Minimal change |
Moderate change |
Substantial change |
Host country political system |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Host country economy |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Foreign affairs of my host country |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Domestic affairs of my host country |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Host country values and culture |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Daily life in my host country |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Religious and ethnic diversity in my host country |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Freedom of speech and press in my host country |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Voluntary community service in my host country |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
E1.1.12 (American and Foreign)- Thinking about the exchange participants you met that were from other countries (not your home country or your host country), how much did participation in the program change your understanding or knowledge of the following topics related to those countries?
|
No change |
Minimal change |
Moderate change |
Substantial change |
Political system |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Economy |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Foreign affairs |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Domestic affairs |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Values and culture |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Daily life |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Religious and ethnic diversity |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Freedom of speech and press |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Voluntary community service |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FBS 4.2.1 (American and Foreign)- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statements below?
|
Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Agree |
Strongly agree |
Voting is important because real decisions are made in elections |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
An independent media is important to the free flow of information |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
All citizens in a country should have equal rights and protections under the law, regardless of circumstances |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
The Rule of Law is fundamental to a functioning democracy |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Individuals and organizations have the right to free speech and to voice 0position |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Democratic principles enhance the workplace. Supervisors should incorporate democratic principles into their management practices |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
E1.1.2 (American and Foreign)- Have you shared about your exchange experience in any of the following ways in the past year?
|
Yes |
No |
Media interviews (newspaper, television, radio, podcast) |
|
|
Presentations to community, neighborhood, school or university groups |
|
|
Informal discussions with colleagues and other professionals |
|
|
Informal discussions with family, friends, or community members |
|
|
Postings on electronic or social media (website, Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc) |
|
|
Newspapers or magazine articles, including editorials and opinion pieces |
|
|
If from the United States, skip to Q19.
E1.1.5 (Foreign)- By sharing about my exchange experience, I have helped those in my community better understand the United States.
Yes
No
Skip to Q20.
E1.1.7 (American)- By sharing about my exchange experience, I have helped those in my community better understand my host country.
Yes
No
For the following questions, please consider the following statement: “My responsibility to people of other countries is as great as my responsibility to people of my own country.”
E1.0.2 (American and Foreign)- Immediately following your program experience, what was your perspective on the above statement?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Don’t know/ Can’t Ascertain
E1.0.2 (American and Foreign)- Today, as an ECA alum, has your perspective on the above statement changed?
Agree more
Remained the same
Agree less
Don’t Know/ Can’t Ascertain
Civic Engagement
E2.02 (American and Foreign)- In the past 6 months, I have:
|
Often |
Several times |
Once or twice |
Never |
Raised awareness on issues that affect my community or country. |
|
|
|
|
Volunteered in my local community |
|
|
|
|
E2.1.2 (American and Foreign)- As a direct result of your participation in the exchange program, have you done any of the following:
|
Yes |
No |
Organized or initiated new activities or projects in your organization |
|
|
Introduced new policies or procedures in the workplace |
|
|
Advocated for new initiatives in the workplace to support women |
|
|
Advocated for new initiatives in the workplace to support under-represented populations |
|
|
Established joint ventures, organizational partnerships, or linkages |
|
|
Introduced new curricula, teaching methods, or educational standards |
|
|
Other |
|
|
E2.1.3 (American and Foreign)- In the past 6 months, I have:
|
Often |
Several times |
Once or twice |
Never |
Contacted media to express my concerns about an international problem |
|
|
|
|
Contacted media to express my concerns about a domestic problem |
|
|
|
|
Expressed my views about international politics on a website, blog, or chat room |
|
|
|
|
Expressed my views about domestic politics on a website, blog, or chat room |
|
|
|
|
Contacted or visited someone in government to seek public action on international issues and concerns |
|
|
|
|
Contacted or visited someone in government to seek public action on domestic actions or concerns |
|
|
|
|
Participated in an event where people express their views about international problems |
|
|
|
|
Participated in an event where people express their views about domestic problems |
|
|
|
|
E2.0.5 (American and Foreign)- As a result of your program participation, have you designed and implemented any projects to help your community or country?
Yes
No
If “No”, skip to Q29.
E2.0.5 (American and Foreign)- Did you access any of the following resources through the U.S. Embassy for your project(s):
AEIF
Small Grants
American Spaces
Supplies or equipment
Embassy network of experts and leaders
Other
None
E2.0.5 (American and Foreign)- Which category below best describes your project(s):
Youth engagement
Environment (Example: sustainability, ecotourism, agriculture, etc)
Social entrepreneurship
Economic development
Leadership training
Education
Civic engagement
Promoting equality (Example: interfaith dialogue, disability rights, women’s empowerment)
Disinformation (Example: information campaign, media literacy training)
E2.0.5 (American and Foreign)- Please select the main activities of your project:
Trainings or workshops
Established an NGO or other organization
Mentorship program
Advocacy/awareness campaign
Events or speeches
Fundraising
Research
Other
Skip to Q30.
E2.0.5 (American and Foreign)- What has prevented you from implementing a project:
I am not sure what to do
I have not had the time
I have not had the funding
I cannot get support from the appropriate stakeholders
My interests have shifted
Other
If from the United States, skip to Q36.
E2.1.5 (Foreign)- Do you ever post or submit your own news content, such as articles, videos, or photos, to a news outlet, listserv or social media group? (News content includes articles, videos, photos, blogs and social media posts that are intended to inform the public about current events either locally, nationally, or globally)
Yes
No
If “No”, skip to Q32.
E2.1.5 (Foreign)- Please indicate approximately how many articles, videos, photos or posts you have produced across the following platforms in the past 3 months:
|
Number |
Local news outlet (TV, Radio, Print) |
|
National news outlet (TV, Radio, Print) |
|
International news outlet (TV, Radio, Print) |
|
Blog |
|
Social Media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat, WhatsApp) |
|
Listserv |
|
E2.1.1 (Foreign) - Understanding that false information is all around us, did you do either of the following prior to your program participation?
|
Yes |
No |
Shared news or information that you LATER FOUND OUT was made up? |
|
|
Shared news and information that you KNEW AT THE TIME was made up? |
|
|
If “no” to second item, skip to Q34.
E2.1.1 (Foreign) What is the main reason you shared news and information that you knew at the time was made-up?
I thought it was surprising or entertaining
I liked what it said
I wanted to create a discussion about it
I wanted to tell others it was inaccurate
E2.1.1 (Foreign) - Have you done either of the following since your program participation?
|
Yes |
No |
Shared news or information that you LATER FOUND OUT was made up? |
|
|
Shared news and information that you KNEW AT THE TIME was made up? |
|
|
If “no” to second item, skip to Q36.
E2.1.1 (Foreign) - What is the main reason you shared news and information that you knew at the time was made-up?
I thought it was surprising or entertaining
I liked what it said
I wanted to create a discussion about it
I wanted to tell others it was inaccurate
E4a.0.16 (American and Foreign)- Please indicate the level to which you agree or disagree with the following statements compared to the end of your program:
|
Agree more |
My views have not changed, I agree |
My views have not changed, I disagree |
Disagree more |
If I am misinformed by the news media, it is my own behavior that determines how soon I will learn credible information |
|
|
|
|
I am in control of the information I get from the news media |
|
|
|
|
The main thing that affects my knowledge about the world is what I myself do |
|
|
|
|
If I pay attention to different sources of news, I can avoid being misinformed |
|
|
|
|
If I take the right actions I can stay informed |
|
|
|
|
E4a.0.17 (American and Foreign)- Did what you learned during your program on the issue of made-up news and information lead you to do any of the following?
|
Yes |
No |
N/A |
Stop getting news from a non-credible outlet |
|
|
|
Check the facts of news stories yourself |
|
|
|
Report or flag a story that you think is made-up |
|
|
|
Change the way you use social media |
|
|
|
Consume multiple news sources |
|
|
|
E4a.0.17 (American and Foreign)- Please briefly expand on the ways you have changed your media consumption. [Open-Ended]
If from the United States, skip to Q43.
E4a.0.21 (Foreign)- Please select how frequently you got your information from the following news sources in the past month:
|
A lot |
Some |
Not too much |
Not at all |
International news organizations |
|
|
|
|
National news organizations |
|
|
|
|
Local news organizations |
|
|
|
|
Friends, family, and acquaintances |
|
|
|
|
Political figures or leaders |
|
|
|
|
Social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat |
|
|
|
|
Local newsletters or listservs |
|
|
|
|
E4a.0.21 (Foreign)- Please select which languages you primarily used to consume media in the past month: [Drop down list of languages]
E4a.0.21 (Foreign)- Please select how frequently you got your information from the following news sources in the prior to program participation:
|
A lot |
Some |
Not too much |
Not at all |
International news organizations |
|
|
|
|
National news organizations |
|
|
|
|
Local news organizations |
|
|
|
|
Friends, family, and acquaintances |
|
|
|
|
Political figures or leaders |
|
|
|
|
Social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat |
|
|
|
|
Local newsletters or listservs |
|
|
|
|
E4a.0.21 (Foreign)- Please select which languages you primarily use to consume media in the prior to program participation: [Drop down list of languages]
Capacity Building
E4.0.4/E4.0.2 (American/Foreign) As a result of your program participation, have you done any of the following
|
Yes |
No |
E4.0.4 (American/ Foreign)- Become an elected leader or been appointed to a regional or national government position |
|
|
E4.0.4/4.0.2 (American/ Foreign)- Started an organization, NGO or business |
|
|
E4.0.4 (American/ Foreign)- Become a leader within a student or civil society organization |
|
|
E4.0.4 (American/ Foreign)- Officially recognized or received an award for any achievement |
|
|
E4.0.2 (American/ Foreign)- Began planning to start a new NGO or new organization |
|
|
E4.0.2 (American/ Foreign)- Introduced new ways of doing things at your workplace, academic institution, or organization |
|
|
If “No” to fourth item, skip to Q45.
E4.0.4 (American Foreign)-Please explain why you were officially recognized or received the award. [Open Ended]
E4.0.15 (American and Foreign)- Did your program participation help you do any of the following?
|
Yes |
No |
Get a new job |
|
|
Gain more responsibilities in your current position |
|
|
Receive a promotion |
|
|
Receive a salary increase |
|
|
Expand your current business |
|
|
Become a recognized subject matter expert in my field |
|
|
Become a leader in my organization/community |
|
|
Become involved in a professional organization |
|
|
E4.0.6 (American and Foreign)- Has participating in this program given you leadership skills that are applicable to your professional, academic, or civil pursuits
Yes
No
During your program participation did you learn another language (either formally or informally)? [yes/no]
If “None”, skip to Q51
E4.0.10 (American and Foreign) Which of the following best describes your current ability to speak in the following languages:
|
No ability at all |
Able to communicate only in a very limited capacity |
Able to satisfy basic survival needs and minimum courtesy requirements |
Able to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements |
Able to speak with sufficient grammatical accuracy and vocabulary to discuss relevant professional areas |
Able to speak fluently and accurately in all situations |
Proficiency equivalent to that of an educated native speaker |
Selected Language 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected Language 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E4.0.8 (American and Foreign)- Have you used the language skills gained through ECA program participation to advance your career, studies, or work in civil society?
Yes
No
If “No”, skip to Q51.
E4.0.8 (American and Foreign)- In which of the following areas have you experienced advancement as a result of the language skills gained through ECA program participation? Select all that apply.
Career
Education
Community work [volunteerism]
Civil society work
Other area [free entry]
E4.0.05 (American and Foreign)- Did you increase any of the following skills as a result of participating in this program? Please select all that apply.
project management skills
entrepreneurship skills
journalism skills
teaching instruction skills
science skills
technology skills
engineering skills
mathematics skills
other technical skill
no skills improvement
E4.0.7 (American and Foreign)- Have you used any of the following skills gained as a result of participating in an ECA program to advance your career, studies, or work in civil society? Please select all that apply. *will only populate the options selected in Q51**
project management skills
entrepreneurship skills
journalism skills
teaching instruction skills
science skills
technology skills
engineering skills
mathematics skills
other technical skill
I have not used any skills gained as a result of participating in an ECA program
Networking
If from the United States, skip to Q55.
E3.1.1 (Foreign)- Are you still in contact with the following?
|
Yes, personally in contact |
Yes, professionally in contact |
Yes, both personally and professionally in contact |
Not in contact at all |
N/A – I did not make contact at all |
American friends |
|
|
|
|
|
American academic colleagues |
|
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|
|
American professional colleagues |
|
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|
|
|
Other program participants from my country |
|
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|
|
Other program participants from my region |
|
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|
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Other program participants from outside my region |
|
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|
Program host family |
|
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U.S. Embassy |
|
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E3.0.7 (Foreign) - Have you pursued any of the following collaboration activities as a direct result of your program experience?
|
Yes |
No |
Professionally collaborated with alumni from my country that I met during the program |
|
|
Professionally collaborated with alumni from another country that I met during the program |
|
|
Professionally collaborated with Americans that I met during the program |
|
|
Professionally collaborated with alumni from other programs or cohorts that I met through alumni activities |
|
|
Received advice or mentorship from alumni from my country that I met during the program |
|
|
Received advice or mentorship from alumni from another country that I met during the program |
|
|
Received advice or mentorship from Americans that I met during the program |
|
|
Skip to Q57.
E3.1.1 (American)- Are you still in contact with the following?
|
Yes, personally in contact |
Yes, professionally in contact |
Yes, both personally and professionally in contact |
Not in contact at all |
N/A – I did not make contact at all |
Host country friends |
|
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|
|
|
Host country academic colleagues |
|
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|
Host country professional colleagues |
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Other program participants from the United States |
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|
Program host family |
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|
U.S. Embassy |
|
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|
|
|
E3.0.7 (American) - Have you pursued any of the following collaboration activities as a direct result of your program experience?
|
Yes |
No |
Professionally collaborated with alumni from the United States that I met during the program |
|
|
Professionally collaborated with contacts from my host country that I met during the program |
|
|
Professionally collaborated with alumni from other programs or cohorts that I met through alumni activities |
|
|
Received advice or mentorship from alumni from the United States that I met during the program |
|
|
Received advice or mentorship from contacts from my host country that I met during the program |
|
|
E3.1.4 (American and Foreign)- Are you registered on the following websites:
|
Yes |
No |
Do Not Know |
International Exchange Alumni Network |
|
|
|
Program Facebook page |
|
|
|
Program WhatsApp group |
|
|
|
Other: ___________ [write-in] |
|
|
|
E8.1.3 (American and Foreign)- Have you received the International Exchange Newsletter?
Yes
No
I don’t know
E3.1.5 (American and Foreign)- Have you used any of the following resources?
|
Yes |
No |
Small grants applications for the U.S. Government |
|
|
AEIF applications |
|
|
Contact information for other alumni |
|
|
Project Development toolkits |
|
|
Information on workshops/events hosted by the Embassy |
|
|
E3.0.2 (American and Foreign) - Do you consider yourself an alumni of a U.S. Department of State program?
Yes
No
If from the United States, End Survey.
E3.1.2 (Foreign)- Have you participated in an event or activity after your program that the U.S. Embassy hosted or organized?
Yes
No
E4.1.15/ E5.3.04 (Foreign)- Since your exchange experience have you returned to the United States for any of the following reasons?
|
Yes |
No |
Make money/work |
|
|
Continue education |
|
|
Participate in another ECA exchange program |
|
|
Tourism/visit friends/family |
|
|
Other |
|
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OMB Control Number: 1405-XXXX Burden Estimate: 30 minutes Expiration Date: XX-XX-XXXX |
PRA Statement Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: ecaevaluation@state.gov. |
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
Author | Botkin, Elizabeth A |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-01-13 |