The U.S. Department of State and other organizations sponsor and support various educational and training programs, scholarships and opportunities throughout the year for Bulgarian scholars, students and professionals. These programs cover a wide range of interests including law, human rights, journalism, education, teaching English, and other disciplines and are intended to introduce participants to the United States and American people and culture, as well as provide them with a chance to exchange ideas with their American colleagues. Educational and cultural exchanges create relationships that build bridges of cooperation and understanding between peoples.