Become a Cultural Exchange Ambassador

The UvA Cultural Ambassadors Programme is an extracurricular programme that has run for over 15 years. It offers students a unique opportunity to develop valuable professional and intercultural skills; to connect with local and international students over their study abroad experiences; to promote equity in study abroad; and to celebrate cultural diversity.

Cultural Exchange Ambassadors play an important role representing the University of Amsterdam. Every year, hundreds of international study abroad students are welcomed to study at the UvA and just as many UvA students leave to study at foreign universities. To raise students’ awareness of this opportunity and promote the various study abroad destinations, you are given a platform to share your study abroad experience and you are trained to find creative and innovative ways to support prospective students preparing for their own exchange experience.

We do not only trust the honest perspective of study abroad students, we also know that peer advising plays a key role in reassuring future students about what it is like to go abroad.

As a Cultural Exchange Ambassador, you will be trained to navigate cultural differences, take ownership over your study abroad experience and further develop your intercultural competence. The programme will focus on enhancing your self-efficacy in interacting with students from different cultures, with an emphasis on communication, equity and inclusion. At the end of the programme, you will receive a certificate of completion.

The programme

Each semester, the programme focuses on a different theme and assignment. You will engage with various topics, such as intercultural awareness and communication, well-being, and how to use your study abroad experience for professional development.

The programme consists of 4 workshops and up to three additional social and cultural activities. For the first semester of 2026-2027, the workshops will take place on Wednesdays, from 17:00-19:00.

Please note that participation in the programme requires attending at least three out of four workshops. Participation in the social and cultural activities is optional.

For this semester's assignment, you will be asked to participate in the UvA Study Abroad Month. As an 'experience expert', you will help other students navigate their study abroad options, for example by sharing your experience during information sessions, joining panel discussions, or having individual conversations during study abroad “speed-dating” sessions.

How to apply

The new Cultural Exchange Ambassador cohort will start in September 2026. Eligible students will receive an email invitation with further information on how to participate in August 2026.

Students eligible to join the September 2026 cohort are:

• Incoming exchange students from partner universities who will be studying at UvA in the first semester of the 2026-2027 academic year;
• Returning UvA students who studied at a partner university in the second semester of the 2025-2026 academic year;
• UvA students who partook in a short-term learning opportunity (NICE, EPICUR or U21) in the summer of 2026.

If you did not receive an email invitation, but believe that you are eligible to participate, please email us at global@uva.nlExternal link.

Selection

The UvA Cultural Ambassadors Programme is a selective programme with a maximum of 40 participants. This means that not all students who apply are guaranteed a place. If the number of applications exceeds the available places, participants will be selected by lottery. We aim for a balanced representation of both incoming and outgoing students.

Contact

For questions about the Cultural Ambassadors Programme, please send an email to global@uva.nlExternal link.

Testimonials

For testimonials from both international students at the UvA (inbound exchange), and current UvA students abroad, please check the UvA World Map and choose your destination(s).