Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for Exchange Leaders International's BridgeUSA Teacher Program, you must meet the following qualifications:

Participants must meet the following qualifications:

Possess, at a minimum, a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in either education or the academic subject field in which you intend to teach AND‍
Meet the qualifications for teaching at the primary, including pre-kindergarten, or secondary levels in schools in your home country; be working as a teacher in your home country at the time of application; and have at least two years of full-time teaching experience and have a bachelor’s degree in education or subject field they intend to teach

IF Not be working as a teacher in your home country at the time of application, but otherwise meet the qualifications for teaching at the primary (including pre-kindergarten) or secondary levels in schools in your home country
Have had at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years and
Within 12 months of your application submission date for the program, have completed an advanced degree (beyond a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree) in education or in an academic subject matter that you intend to teach or that is related to your teaching subject field.

Additional Requirements:

Satisfy the teaching eligibility standards of the U.S. state in which you will teach (e.g., meet minimum educational requirements, pass teacher training coursework at a sufficiently proficient level, have provided an evaluation of foreign teaching preparation coursework, have demonstrated the requisite prior teaching experience, etc.)
Provide any required criminal background or other checks
Are of good reputation and character

Additional Requirements:

Agree to come to the U.S. temporarily as a full-time teacher of record in an accredited primary or secondary school, understanding and agreeing that exchange teachers may teach a variety of subjects and levels at their host school or schools, if qualified, but at the pre-kindergarten level, may teach only in language immersion programs
Receive from a qualified U.S. host school a written and signed "teaching job offer" (offer of employment/job offer letter).

INITIAL APPLICATION STEPS

Complete the ELI Registration Form

Begin by signing up on the ELI online registration platform and completing your program application - ensuring all required information and documents are provided. This step allows us to determine your eligibility and start the process. Wait for initial email from your ELI program coordinator.

https://forms.gle/q5AgN1nvqYZ2gZsr5

Document Submission

Once your interview is completed, start gathering the required documents and email them to your ELI Program Coordinator.

Interview with ELI

Once approved during the initial eligibility application stage, you will be given access to ELI Calendar to schedule your interview with an ELI Program Coordinator.

Placement

Exchange Leaders International provides two (2) Program Pathways

1. Self-Placement (SP) - Teachers arrange their placements directly with an ELI-approved U.S. host school, with sponsorship support provided by ELI. If you have an official offer or Letter of Intent, ensure your host school promptly completes the host school application here: https://www.eliprograms.org/school-registration

2. Full Placement (FP) - ELI facilitates placements by matching accredited U.S. host schools with qualified, experienced international teachers.

REGISTRATION

APPLY HERE