American Spaces are a worldwide network of publicly-accessible places that enable U.S. Embassies and Consulates to build and strengthen relationships with host country communities, showcase American culture and values, promote English language learning, encourage study in the United States, and foster goodwill and mutual understanding.  This initiative exemplifies the U.S. commitment to a core tenet of democracy: a citizen’s right to free access to information.  These spaces provide access to authoritative information about the United States to connect American and host country citizens, counteract negative perceptions about the United States, and build bridges of mutual respect and understanding. They are places that do the following:

• Provide accurate, compelling, timely, and audience-appropriate information about the United States—its history, culture, society, and values.
• Facilitate English language learning through access to English language speakers, resources, computers, and the Internet.
• Promote U.S. higher education through EducationalUSA advising by providing international students with accurate, comprehensive, and current guidance on applying to U.S. colleges and universities.
• Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding, and build respect with host-country audiences through cultural programs.
• Support continued engagement with U.S. government alumni, connecting them to local audiences through alumni programs where credible, local voices can share firsthand information about the United States and American values.

American Corners are partnerships between an embassy’s Public Affairs Section and host-country institutions, such as in our case, the University of Jordan in Amman, and the Hashemite University in Zarqa. Host-country partners provide the physical space and staff, while the embassy Public Affairs Section provides staff training, guest speakers, technical support, equipment, and multimedia materials about the United States. American Corners provide information about the United States and access to English language learning and resources, conduct educational and cultural programs, and promote interaction with alumni of U.S. universities and U.S. government exchange programs.