Lucy Manuelian, IREX fellow in 1977—1978, was the first American to photograph more than 100 medieval churches in Armenia.

1978
IREX celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

Women increasingly participate in the exchanges. For the first time, women comprise one-third of the US applicant pool.

The US-Poland exchange agreement expires. Due to the political situation in Poland, Polish officials are unable to travel to the United States to negotiate a new agreement. However, exchanges with Poland operate without a formal agreement.