The Collaboratory, an innovation space within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), created 22.33 to share life-changing stories resulting from international exchanges. The podcast’s namesake comes from Title 22, Chapter 33 of the U.S. Code—signed into law by President Kennedy— which established government-funded educational and cultural exchange programs and created ECA.
“We believe that every international exchange experience is transformational—to the participants or even to those interacting with the participants. 22.33 seeks to find entertaining and profound stories that illustrate the full range of growth, adventure, and discomfort which goes into an international exchange,” remarks Christopher Wurst, Senior Advisor for Innovation at the Collaboratory. “We want to hit people on the human level and leave impressions that can’t be made with facts and figures. ECA administers hundreds of exchange programs each year and we always hear colleagues say, ‘We need to do a better job telling our story.’ 22.33 will attempt to do just this, and we think that people will take notice.”
The first-person narrative stories come from participants of ECA-sponsored international exchanges, both American and foreign, reflecting the diversity and reach of U.S. Department of State’s public diplomacy programs. These stories examine what happens when you leave the comfort of home and move to a foreign culture; stories of people challenging themselves, stories that have to be heard to be believed—each transformative, each unique.
22.33 will highlight the transformative power of studying or working abroad, from dismantling stereotypes to creating life-long partnerships. By focusing on current foreign policy priorities that each exchange program is based on, the podcast promotes international understanding, security, and economic prosperity to audiences who may not experience exchange programs themselves. The virtual platform is a unique way for ECA to advance a free and prosperous world.
22.33 goes live January 2019, with a new episode released every Friday. The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms, including iTunes, Spotify, Google, Anchor, Breaker, Castbox, Himalaya, Overcast, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn. In addition, the podcast homepage (eca.state.gov/22.33) features a web player for each episode, along with transcripts, guest photos, musical credits, and other bonus materials.
