Erin Abrams is a Senior Program Specialist at AFS-USA, Inc. (formally American Field Service) where she works with U.S. Government Sponsored programs – primarily the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES), which was established by Congress in October 2002 in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of State and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) to provide scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States.  Prior to her current role, Erin has managed several exchange programs while at AFS-USA for both students and adult educators with extensive experience in training, program development, design and delivery. Erin is also a Qualified Trainer and has facilitated and collaborated on numerous Intercultural Learning (ICL) seminars for AFS staff, volunteers in the field, students and educators from various countries including South Africa, China, Thailand, Turkey, Finland and Egypt.  

Previously, Erin coordinated study abroad and international exchange programs at Antioch College where she worked as the Assistant Director at Antioch Education Abroad (AEA) and as Assistant Director with the Peace Corps Fellows Program at Teachers College, Columbia University.  A returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Erin served in China from 1997-1999 where she taught college level students at Zigong Teachers College in Sichuan, Province.  Erin holds a BA in English from the University of Rhode Island and completed her graduate work at the School for International Training with a focus on International Education/Programs in Intercultural Management.