House SFOPS amendment threatens to eliminate funding for DOS educational and cultural exchange programs

Last Friday night, the House Rules Committee reported out the Rule for this week’s consideration of HR 4665, the SFOPS FY24 Appropriations Act.

The most concerning aspect of this report is that Rep. Biggs' Amendment #133 has been deemed in order. In the amendment, Biggs proposes eliminating funding for educational and cultural exchange funding.

The amendment will be debated and voted on during consideration of the bill unless Rep. Biggs fails to present it on the House floor. Rep. Biggs has also proposed amendments targeting Secretary Mayorkas and other senior DHS officials, as well as funding for the World Bank, USAID, Millennium Challenge, and more. 

It is critical that our community act now and tell our representatives to vote "no" on Amendment #133: https://www.votervoice.net/EXCHANGE/campaigns/107854/respond 

September 2023: How Might Exchanges be Impacted by a U.S. Government Shutdown?

With only four legislative days left before the end of the fiscal year, Congress is still far from a funding deal. None of the 12 appropriations bills have passed, and progress on a Continuing Resolution (CR) – a bill that would kick the can and bide time for a deal – is sporadic at best. It’s not impossible that the situation could change in the coming week, but given the current dynamics on the Hill, a government shutdown is looking more and more possible as time goes on. 

A shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass legislation to fund the government, whether in the form of final appropriations bills or a temporary CR. In this case, if neither of these options are enacted before Sunday, October 1, a full government shutdown will occur and would affect all federal activities covered by discretionary funding. A shutdown is temporary, but how long it would continue is uncertain. The last shutdown, in late 2018/early 2019, was the longest in American history at 35 days. 

In the event that a shutdown does occur, below is a primer on how international exchange programs might be impacted during that time. 

U.S. government offices will be closed or at limited capacity
Many U.S. government offices will either be closed for operations or functioning at limited capacity, including the Department of State’s Bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Consular Affairs (CA). See the Department’s Guidance on Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations published in early 2022 for more details. 

Once a shutdown is in effect, we expect that the Department of State would release specific guidance outlining how consular services are impacted. Exchange program applicants awaiting visa approvals or interviews should expect that there will be processing delays during this time. During the last shutdown, DOS advised that “scheduled” passport and visa services would continue as “the situation permits.” 

Federal funding for exchanges won’t be immediately impacted
DOS funded programs already in progress won’t face instantaneous issues when the shutdown happens, as the funds have already been allocated. According to the DOS guidance linked above, ECA would be able to “continue operating using available balances” (pg. 23 and pg. 69) until those funds are expended. However, if the shutdown is prolonged, new projects would likely be stalled. ECA cannot start any new programs or activities during a shutdown.

Additionally, if a large part of ECA’s staff is furloughed, this could hinder certain programmatic decisions from moving forward in the short term and create a backlog in the long term. 

Participants will feel the impact in different ways

• Exchange participants currently in the U.S.: 

  • Their visa and status in the U.S. will be unaffected. 

• U.S. citizens currently outside the U.S.: 

  • Americans who are abroad on an exchange program should be advised that, during a shutdown, U.S. embassies may only be open to provide services to Americans in distress. 

• Exchange participants with approved visas, awaiting travel dates: 

  • The Department of Homeland Security will likely continue operations, so these individuals can plan to arrive in the U.S. according to their current schedules – but participants are advised to check in with their exchange organization and/or airline before traveling.

  • SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) will also likely continue operations, so arriving participants can register as instructed. 

  • The Social Security Administration will likely suspend processing original or replacement cards, so arriving exchange participants will likely need to wait until the government reopens to apply for a Social Security number. 

• Exchange program applicants awaiting visa approval or interviews:  

  • Applicants awaiting visa approval should anticipate delays in visa processing. 

  • Applicants awaiting a visa interview or scheduling a visa interview should anticipate that there may be delays in the process. 

  • It’s advisable to check https://www.usembassy.gov/ for updates about the status of the shutdown and to contact the local U.S. embassy or consular office for more details, especially once the shutdown is over. 

We’ll update this post with more information as the situation of a potential shutdown develops.

Navigating the Paradox: International Student Visa Trends in 2023

The dynamic landscape of international education has been marked this year by a powerful paradox: aspiring international students are displaying a renewed interest in studying in the U.S., yet this enthusiasm is met with a growing struggle to secure visas. A dichotomy emerges – while U.S. enrollments are surging for the first time since the pandemic, a shadow looms as visa denials rise. Collectively, these elements shape the trajectory of international student mobility, offering insights into the United States’ public diplomacy impact and its role as a competitive global player.

As the grip of the pandemic loosens, 2023 has ushered in a renewed wave of international student mobility to the United States. The U.S. suffered a steep 15% decline in international student enrollments between the 2016-17 and 2020-21 academic years, and saw a modest uptick of 4% last year. Recent data released by the U.S. Department of State paints a promising picture of a substantial surge in F-1 student visa issuances in 2022. Compared to 2019, the last pre-pandemic point of comparison, student visa issuances increased almost 13%, from 364,204 in 2019 to 411,131 in 2022. The State Department projects the numbers for 2023 to be even higher than last year (over 393,000 F-1 visas have already been issued up to the beginning of August).

Yet, amidst this resurgence is an increasing number of visa denials. State Department data reveals that over a third of student visa applications were denied in 2022. This marks an increase from the 20% denial rate in 2021, as well as the 25% denial rate in 2019. African students were particularly affected, with over half experiencing denials in 2022. Despite the enthusiasm to study in the U.S., many students are grappling with challenges throughout the visa application process, including complex immigration policies, challenges securing interview slots, visa processing delays, and the looming anxiety of potential rejections. This reality raises fundamental questions about the accessibility of American education.

How can we make sense of the simultaneous increase in visa issuances alongside the concerning rise in visa denials? The paradox is well illustrated by the case of Africa. Despite the discouraging rates of visa denials, which might suggest a gloomy outlook for U.S. student enrollment, the 2022 Open Doors data shows a substantial surge in student mobility from Sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. In addition, last year, U.S. embassies and consulates in Africa issued 30,000+ student visas, more than in any of the previous six years. In particular, Nigeria and Ghana saw the highest number of student visas issued in more than two decades. While concerns about visa challenges affecting accessibility remain, the strong desire for American education becomes evident through the growing issuance of student visas in countries like Nigeria and Ghana.

Efforts to address student visa challenges are underway, with a recent meeting between the State Department and NAFSA, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and Shorelight. The discussions highlighted a visa denial report and acknowledged the importance of rectifying high visa denial rates, particularly in the Global South. Earlier this year, the State Department took steps to demonstrate its commitment to improving accessibility and efficiency of the visa application process. Some students are now eligible for visa waivers, and applicants can apply one year in advance, an expansion from the previous 120-day limit.

The evolving international student visa trends of 2023 introduce a complex dynamic between aspiration and challenge, promise and uncertainty. As we forge ahead, addressing the visa denial paradox becomes crucial not only for fostering inclusivity and global education accessibility but also for the United States to fortify its position as a leader in global education. The path forward demands a cohesive approach, with collaboration between stakeholders, governments, and educational institutions, along with our community that routinely transforms big dreams into reality.

FY24 Appropriations Recap and Outlook

With the end of the Fiscal Year quickly approaching on September 30, Congress is racing to finish its work on the FY24 appropriations bills before heading out on August recess next week.  

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have completed their subcommittee and full committee markups of their respective State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) bills in recent weeks. Educational and cultural exchanges were funded at $700.95M (approx. 10% decrease) by the House bill and $779.5M (approx. 0.25% increase) by the Senate bill. See the chart below for more details and a comparison with the President’s budget request and current enacted level. 

Here are the key things you need to know: 

• We know from the details available that notable cuts in the House bill impact Professional and Cultural Exchanges, including the International Visitor Leadership Program. The bill also includes a slight decrease for Academic Programs, but outlines increases for Young Leaders Initiatives. 

• On the other hand, the Senate bill holds Professional and Cultural Exchanges steady, and provides increases to Exchanges Support and the American Spaces program. However, it also includes cuts to the Academic Programs topline.  

• The funding cuts in the House bill, while disappointing, are not unexpected given the change in majority, debt ceiling deal, and concessions made by Speaker McCarthy in his campaign for the role. We are heartened by the slight increase in the Senate bill, which is a win in this difficult climate.  

• There will be a challenging road ahead to find a compromise between these two bills. In the 11 legislative days after the upcoming August recess and before the end of the fiscal year, lawmakers must overcome not only the divide over funding in the bills, but also pressure from House Republicans for even more cuts and a desire to pass each of the twelve appropriations bills individually.  

These appropriations bills remind us of how important our collective advocacy was this cycle in avoiding severe cuts in this particularly tight funding environment. They also demonstrate the long journey to reach our funding goals and therefore, how we must keep up the pressure and not become complacent after the past number of years with steady increases.  

Resources: 

• House bill text (pg. 4 for ECE funding level), report (pg. 18 for detailed budget table), press release 

• Senate bill text (pg. 8 for ECE funding level), report (pg. 20 for detailed budget table), press release 

  FY23 Adjusted Enacted  FY24 Biden Administration Request  FY24 House Bill  FY24 Senate Bill  Total  777.5 M   783.7 M 700.95 M  779.5 M  Academic Programs  389,639  381,766  387,274  373,939  Fulbright Program  287,500  282,250  287,500  287,800  Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders Program  1500  1,500    1,500  Global Academic Exchanges  63,981  62,702    63,981  Special Academic Exchanges  22,158  18,875  22,133  22,158  Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program  17,000  16,200  17,000  17,000  South Pacific Scholarships  1,000  1,000  1,000  1,000  Vietnam Education Foundation Act      2,500  2,500  Tibet Fund  675  700  675    Professional and Cultural Exchanges  227,500  222,515  185,759  227,500  International Visitor Program  105,000  102,627  100,151  105,000  Citizen Exchanges Program  115,000  113,388    115,000  Congress-Bundestag Exchange Program      4,125  4,125  Special Professional and Cultural Exchanges  7,000  6,500    7500  Ngwang Choephel Fellows  750  750  750  750  J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange  6,000  5,000    6,000  Arctic Exchange Program  750  750  750  750  Special Initiatives    66,814  49,100  55,500  Young Leaders Initiatives  37,500  48,814  43,100  37,500  Countering State Disinformation and Pressure  12,000  12,000    12,000  Community Engagement Exchange Program  6,000  6,000    6,000  Pawel Adamowicz Exchange Program  1,000  1,000  1,000    Program and Performance  15,800  13,530    13,500  Exchanges Support  89,061  99,090    92,100  American Spaces  16,000  14,939    17,000 

Member Feature: Celebrating Exchange Day with Greenheart International's Haldis Toppen

In 2014, the Alliance set up a training for three sponsors in the Midwest – Cenet, Greenheart International and Spirit Cultural Exchange. It was a few years after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton implemented major changes to the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program, and the Alliance thought it would be a beneficial to take stock of these changes and for these three organizations to share some best practices they had learned and developed. It was during this training that the idea of Exchange Day (formerly J Day) was created.

I was originally hired at Greenheart in response to those regulation changes in 2012. My title was Cultural Outreach Assistant, and my role was to ensure that the 6000+ participants we oversaw on the Summer Work Travel program were in fact having a cultural exchange program and not just a work one. From the two years between being hired and then the creation of Exchange Day, a lot of work had been put into this program. So, when we came together in the summer of 2014, we were excited for the future of exchange programs. I remember when the idea was shared, the presenter, Joe Burns (of Greenheart), emphasized that cultural exchange programs are not widely known outside the industry but there is so much good that comes out of these programs. He stated “How do we inform and excite the public? Let’s create a national day dedicated to them.”

Cenet, Greenheart and Spirit created a planning committee comprised of one staff member from each sponsor. Due to my role, I was chosen as the representative for Greenheart. We knew that we wanted to implement this event that summer, so we had a limited amount of time to make it happen. The date, first Monday in August, was chosen because it suited the Summer Work Travel program; most participants would have arrived by then, settled into their jobs and Mondays tend to be not as busy, workwise. We created the tagline “Eat. Play. Give.” If you have food, people will come. If the event is fun, people will stay. And we wanted to emphasize that these programs are important for American communities, so giving back was a way to show impact. We each worked with one SWT host to help plan an event, and a marketing toolkit was created. Et voila! Exchange Day was born!

Over the years there have been several changes. The Alliance took on the role of facilitating Exchange Day, providing all those interested in celebrating with the materials and tools to create a successful event. As the J-1 program changed its name to BridgeUSA, J Day was changed to Exchange Day as well. Finally, there has been a lot of effort to include all exchange programs in this day. 

Just as everything was put on hold in 2020, Exchange Day was no different. The exchange community is still rebuilding after the global crisis. Sponsors, hosts, sending agents and exchange visitors are all slowly planning more and more cultural events. 2023 is the first year that feels closer to pre-pandemic activity and celebrations. At Greenheart, we have a few events that we are working on with other sponsors and hosts, but one that we are particularly proud of is an internal event for our staff. Since the pandemic, Greenheart has gone fully remote. Our staff used to be focused within Chicago, but now are spread around the country and world. As a result, we don’t often get to share positive stories with each other as easily as in the past. So, on Exchange Day this year (August 7) we are spending an hour with all staff just sharing positive stories about our participants, hosts, sending agents and staff from the past year. As an organization of over 100 staff members, we are excited to share the impact that we all have on American and international communities simply by working at Greenheart.

Next year is the 10th anniversary of Exchange Day. As one of the founding creators of this day, I can say that I’m professionally and personally proud of what this day has become. Leslie Corn, formerly of Cenet, was the one who came up with the idea 10 years ago, and I’m so glad she shared this idea with her group and Joe Burns sold everyone in the room the idea. Cultural Exchange programs are vital for our country’s public diplomacy goals. Without them, the world would be more splintered, economically fractured, and likely more violent. Celebrating exchange programs reminds the public of the important work we do. Happy Exchange Day!

To learn more about how you and your organization can celebrate Exchange Day, visit https://exchangeday2023.weebly.com/

With 12 years of experience in leading marketing and communications teams, Haldis has a proven record of successfully leading national campaigns and international programming. She has been working with the Alliance on various industry efforts since starting with Greenheart and has found the collaboration between to be one of the most fulfilling parts of the job. When not supporting BridgeUSA and other exchange programs, she enjoys films, travel, trying delicious foods and spending time with her son and partner.

McCarry Leadership Award - Call for Nominations

As the international education and exchange field continues to evolve, championing emerging leaders in the field is essential for its continued advancement and success. With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce this year's launch of the McCarry Leadership Award - an initiative promoting the professional development of emerging leaders in the U.S. exchange community. The award honors former Alliance Executive Director, Michael McCarry – a leader who has conveyed over decades the importance of exchange through his unyielding commitment to the field.

Are you a young professional committed to the exchange field and looking for opportunities to grow in your work, gain leadership experience, and build relationship? Do you supervise a young professional that exhibits leadership potential and a commitment to the exchanges field? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, we encourage you to review the award information and submit an application by Friday, September 8.

McCarry Leadership Awardees receive and commit to:

• Complementary registration to the Alliance Annual Conference

• Up to $1,000 reimbursement will also be provided for actual travel expenses associated with the Conference

• Complementary admission to Advocacy Day the following year

• One year of service on the Alliance’s young professional steering committee

• Creation and implementation of Alliance event that promotes the mission and values of the organization

Candidates should meet the following criteria:

• Have at least three years of experience in the international education and exchange field. This can include experience as an exchange participant and volunteer work in the field.

• Demonstrate significant leadership potential

• Be employed by an Alliance member organization

• Be 35 or younger

Links to the nominator and candidate application are available here.

Intl ed signaled as top export priority for first time in new National Export Strategy

Among the exchange community and its champions, it has always been evident that the impact of international educational and cultural exchange opportunities goes beyond the personal: they support U.S. national security, strengthen the U.S. economy, and increase mutual understanding around the world. With last week’s publication of the 2023 National Export Strategy, the U.S. Department of Commerce joins the ever-growing contingent of entities formally recognizing the importance of international education to the United States’ economic, political, and social growth.  

For the first time in the report’s history, international education was highlighted as a top export priority, with a whole chapter focused on successes and challenges facing the industry, as well as opportunities for a variety of stakeholders to collaborate and further promote U.S. education and exchange opportunities. 

Like the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education’s “Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education” in 2021, this year’s National Export Strategy puts forward comprehensive recommendations to increase the U.S.’ competitive edge and foster collaborative and productive relationships between a wide variety of industries that benefit from U.S. education and exchange opportunities. By including international education as a top export strategy priority, the U.S. Department of Commerce signals its desire to amplify and expand international education and exchange opportunities for everyone, especially those who may not have had access previously, a welcome commitment to those passionate about the life-changing impact of people-to-people exchanges. 

On the economic front, the report pulls data from Global Market Intelligence, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and NAFSA to highlight the significant contributions international students make to the U.S. economy.  

“In 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that U.S. exports of education-related travel totaled $37.68 billion, a 17% increase from the previous year” (2023 National Export Strategy).  

As these numbers continue to increase in the wake of the pandemic, the report encourages U.S. government agencies to connect U.S. institutions and foreign groups interested in U.S. education and promote the U.S. as a top study destination at the local, state, and national level. 

In the promotion of these opportunities, the report also highlights the important non-economic benefits of U.S. education-related travel exports. Exchanges create lasting relationships between current and future leaders which, by extension, strengthen relationships between the U.S. and participants’ home countries. According to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State, over 660 current and former Heads of States are exchange program alumni. By taking part in exchange programs and engaging with peers and academia, international students also contribute to research and innovation, which helps both the academic and economic fabric of the U.S. The lessons and perspectives participants impart and gain while studying in the U.S. enhance the experience of those around them and contributes to Americans’ global competency, a crucial skill in our rapidly internationalizing world. 

A Note from the Executive Director: Join us at the 2023 Annual Conference!

I’m thrilled to invite you to the Annual Conference this November 2-3 in Washington, D.C. – registration is now open! After an inspiring and productive conference last year, we’re looking forward to building on those successes and bringing even more opportunities to learn, engage, and contribute to our community.

Since the Alliance’s founding 30 years ago, our community has gathered each year to share information, grow our networks, and think deeply about our field. This year will be no different. The conference is an opportunity for exchange professionals to hear from thought leaders in the field, participate in peer-led best practice sessions, engage with key government officials in small group settings, and much more.

We’ll engage on critical big picture topics, such as the role of exchanges in combatting authoritarianism, broadening accessibility to exchange programs, and cultivating the next generation of leaders in our field.

I’m also so happy that we’ll continue our signature tradition of welcoming a large array of our ECA program and leadership colleagues, including a keynote address from Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield.

I hope you’ll join us in November to celebrate our community’s past, present, and future. To learn more about the conference and register, visit our website here. Make sure to register by Monday, October 2.

I also hope you’ll consider supporting the Alliance through one of our many contribution levels. Additional contributions go a long way in helping to develop an ever-expanding conference and to support our broader work throughout the year to serve our shared mission.

For questions regarding registration, please contact Gabrielle Cascio at gcascio@alliance-exchange.org. We hope to see you in November!

Best,
Mark Overmann

In Memory of Elizabeth Chazottes, Alliance Board Chair and ED of AIPT

It is with a heavy heart that the Alliance recognizes the recent passing of Elizabeth Chazottes. Elizabeth led the Association for International Practical Training (AIPT) for nearly 25 years and played a crucial role in its merger with CDS International to become what is now Cultural Vistas. Since the Alliance’s founding in 1993, Elizabeth was an instrumental player in its growth: she served as chair of its J-1 Task Force, Vice Chair of the Board, and as Board Chair from 2006-09. 

Elizabeth was Chair when I first joined the Alliance in 2009 and I distinctly remember my first meetings with her. I remember how she immediately made me feel welcomed and included, like I was already a part of the Alliance and international exchange family. That was my first impression of Elizabeth: warmth, generosity, obvious care for her friends and colleagues. Over time, as I got to know her and see her in action, these initial impressions were not only strengthened, but also were matched by her deep professional skill and experience, her understated yet forceful diplomatic abilities, and her obvious passion for our field. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her, learn from her, and call her a friend and colleague.  

Below are remembrances of Elizabeth from three others in our field: Michael McCarry, former Executive Director of the Alliance; Rob Fenstermacher, former CEO of Cultural Vistas; and Jennifer Clinton, current CEO of Cultural Vistas and current Alliance Board Chair. I hope you’ll read on and remember/learn about the wonderful person and professional that Elizabeth was. She will be missed by many. 

Remembrance from Michael McCarry
Former Executive Director, Alliance for International Exchange (1994-2015) 

Over its nearly 30 years, the Alliance has been remarkably well served by its board chairs. One of the most important of that distinguished group is Elizabeth Chazottes, who recently passed away after a battle with cancer.  

Elizabeth was Deputy Director and then Executive Director of the Association for International Practical Training (AIPT), in Columbia, MD. Her service to the Alliance was enormous, and long-lasting. For years, she chaired our (often unruly) J-1 Task Force. No one else seemed to have the disposition or patience to do it. And frankly, no one could have done it better. She later became Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, and then served four years as Alliance Chair. 

She was not our first female chair, nor the first chair to serve four years. But her mark on the Alliance’s history remains indelible. AIPT was a medium-sized organization, and the first exclusively J-1 sponsor to chair the Alliance. Previously, our chairs, all highly capable, had been drawn from larger organizations primarily involved in programs receiving federal funds or in higher education. And even though Elizabeth was a pioneer of a sort, she was so skilled and poised in the role of chair that no one ever uttered a syllable of dissatisfaction with her leadership. 

It was during her years as chair that, after years of advocacy by the Alliance, ECA created the J-1 intern category. And of course, no leader could have been better equipped to deal with the advocacy challenges posed by that rulemaking than Elizabeth. 

I was particularly pleased to have Elizabeth at my side one night in the New Delhi airport. We’d flown in from Bangkok in the middle of the night. I’d had more experience in India than Elizabeth, so I figured it was up to me to figure things out. But I should have known better. A tall, distinguished man in a white uniform with brass buttons and a matching turban approached her, bowed, and said, “Ms. Chazottes?”  Thanks to Elizabeth’s friendship with the manager of the Taj Hotel in Delhi, we were in a Mercedes and on our way in a matter of minutes. 

Elizabeth’s leadership of the Alliance as Chair was followed by Christine Schulze, Executive Director of Concordia Language Villages, and then Lynn Shotwell, Executive Director of the American Council for International Personnel (ACIP). This added up to 10 consecutive years of truly exemplary leadership from three women from medium-sized organizations involved in what we then called the Exchange Visitor Program, now BridgeUSA. The leadership of these three outstanding chairs changed the Alliance forever, and for the better.  And Elizabeth was the catalyst for that.   

I had lunch with Elizabeth shortly before she became ill, and she was entirely herself:  fun, funny, full of stories about how she and her family had weathered the pandemic, and happy to enhance her meal with a glass of Sancerre. Over time, we had many such lunches, and that’s how I’ll remember her.  

Remembrance from Rob Fenstermacher
Chief Content Officer, American Council on Germany
Former President and CEO, Cultural Vistas, and former Executive Director, CDS International 

It is with a sad heart that I write these words and memories about Elizabeth Chazottes. I first met Elizabeth attending an Alliance Annual Meeting in the early 2000s when she was serving as the chair of the J-1 Task Force. Those were challenging times for the exchange community dealing with the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, new regulations impacting the J-1 visa program (most notably the introduction of SEVIS), and the SARS epidemic. Later when she was Chair of the Alliance from 2006 to 2009, I remember being impressed by her leadership that helped ensure the U.S. exchange community, with its vast array of organizations, programs, and interests, spoke with one voice in advocating for our positions and for the enormous value exchange programs play in U.S. public diplomacy efforts. Her drive and commitment were vital to the Alliance and to our exchange community. 

From 2003 to 2010, while leading “competitor” exchange organizations at AIPT and CDS International, Elizabeth and I would often call one another to discuss issues affecting our programs and to strategize on joint approaches to work with the State Department and the Alliance community on solving the crisis of the moment. We developed a strong professional friendship that intensified when we both attended the EducationUSA regional conference in Prague in March 2010. Over lunch, Elizabeth first proposed the idea of AIPT and CDS merging given the many similarities in our programming. Feeling a bit like we were secret agents meeting in a foreign city, we quickly shared the idea with our colleagues, and at the beginning of 2011, Cultural Vistas was born. 

Elizabeth was a passionate believer in the power of international exchange and an incredible leader within the exchange community. She influenced many professionals building careers in international exchange, many of whom remain active today in various Alliance members. I feel privileged to have worked so closely with her for many years, learning from her, and in collaborating with her and our teams to merge AIPT and CDS International to create Cultural Vistas. Her legacy will live on for many years and she will be very much missed. 

Remembrance from Jennifer Clinton
CEO, Cultural Vistas, and current Alliance Board Chair 

Elizabeth joined AIPT in 1987 and served for 25 years, helping the organization navigate the turbulent times of the late-1980s as the Department of State was re-interpreting the J-1 visa regulations in the trainee category (there was no ‘intern’ category at the time). She came to the organization from the hospitality industry to help AIPT grow its hospitality and tourism program, which had been launched in 1973. This program quickly grew to become the largest of the organization’s three distinct J-1 visa programs, with ultimately more than 1,000 exchanges per year.  

Elizabeth took over daily oversight of all AIPT exchange programs in the late-1980s and became Executive Director in 1996. She led the organization’s growth through 9/11 (2001 was the year in which the organization recorded its greatest number of exchanges) and stabilized the organization through the 2008 financial crisis before beginning merger discussions with Rob Fenstermacher of CDS International in 2010.  

Along with then-AIPT president Bob Sprinkle, she was also involved in supporting the merger of the International Exchange Association and the Liaison Group for International Educational Exchange to become the Alliance for International Exchange in 1993 (she would later serve on the Alliance Board of Directors, including as Board Chair).  

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and interact with Elizabeth after I stepped into my role as CEO at Cultural Vistas. She shared with me her personal perspectives of AIPT, CDS, Cultural Vistas, and the field. She was such a lovely person, with such obvious passion, dedication, and empathy. The international exchange community has many heroes around the world, and I know Elizabeth will be remembered for her tireless dedication to opportunity, inclusion, and connection across differences.  

#CelebrateExchangeDay on August 7th!

We are excited to announce that this year, we will celebrate Exchange Day on Monday, August 7. Since its creation in 2014, Exchange Day has provided our community an opportunity to gather and share the power of exchange programs as we come together over food, community service, and some fun!

The goal of Exchange Day is to increase awareness of the importance of educational and cultural exchange programs. Below are a variety of ways you as an individual or your organization can #CelebrateExchangeDay on August 7 and on the days leading up to it. For more details, visit our Exchange Day 2023 website at https://exchangeday2023.weebly.com/.

We hope you'll join us in sharing the power of exchange programs on August 7 and encourage your partners and community stakeholders to get involved as well! The more voices amplifying the different ways in which exchange programs support U.S. national security, strengthen the U.S. economy, and increase mutual understanding, the more powerful our message and impact is.

U.S. and China discuss increased people-to-people exchanges during Blinken visit

Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic meetings in China this past weekend included high-level discussions of international educational and exchange ties between the two countries. In his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, the two “stressed the need for the two countries to improve people-to-people contacts that Qin said should include educational exchanges and an expansion of passenger flights between the two countries,” according to Politico.  

In its daily Headlines podcast, the New York Times specifically called out the discussion of increasing exchanges as a key point of progress. Secretary Blinken himself tweeted that he met with Chinese alumni of U.S. exchange programs and that the two countries “share rich history of people-to-people exchanges, and these programs continue to play a vital role.” 

These discussions come at a critical time, not just for overarching U.S.-China relations, but also during a relative decrease in the amount of exchange activity between the two countries. China has long been the top country of origin of international students in the U.S., but that preeminent position has declined somewhat in recent years. Some of the decline is certainly due to pandemic era restrictions, but it is no longer a given that the number of Chinese students coming to the U.S. will increase year after year.   

The number of American students studying in China is at a stark low. Speaking at the recent USGLC Global Impact Forum, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns noted that only 350 Americans are currently studying in China – again, a pandemic era decline, but still a precipitous one from the 11,600 studying there in 2018-19 that has not begun a serious recovery. Burns noted that increasing exchange and study abroad programs between the U.S. and China is a priority for him. It’s heartening to see this priority reflected in the Secretary’s high-level talks. 

Elizabeth Allen confirmed as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs

Yesterday, Elizabeth Allen was confirmed with bipartisan support by the U.S. Senate as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. In her new role, Allen will oversee the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Bureau of Global Public Affairs (GPA).

In her testimony to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations earlier this year, Allen emphasized the benefits of people-to-people diplomacy on the U.S.: “Public diplomacy benefits us here at home as well.  International students added $32 billion to the U.S. economy last year, and American exchange program participants are returning with marketable skills that make them more competitive for 21st-century jobs.  International visitors on our programs engage communities across our country, while the Gilman Scholarship helps underserved Americans study abroad.  And if confirmed, I want to better communicate the benefits of foreign policy to our fellow Americans – who deserve to know what the U.S. government is doing around the world, day in and day out, in their interest.”

Allen’s confirmation is welcome news for our community, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with ECA and GPA under her leadership.

Reflections from #NAFSA75

What do you get when you put 8,500 international educators and community stakeholders in a room? A week of reflection, learning, and community building at NAFSA 2023! As a first-time attendee, I was equal parts overwhelmed and inspired by the breadth and depth of opportunities to think deeply about the work we do and its impact on fostering mutual understanding worldwide. As Secretary of State Blinken summarized so perfectly in his opening remarks: “International students share their talents and cultures with their new communities – and bring what they learned abroad back home. Exchanges can create lifelong friendships, spark artistic creativity, and fuel collaboration on groundbreaking research.” Blinken reaffirmed the Department of State's commitment to streamlining and prioritizing US study visas and creating inclusive and accessible study abroad opportunities, a welcome message as international education faces unprecedented threats throughout the country.

As we celebrated our successes throughout the week, we were also pushed to think critically about what the future of international education looks like. NAFSA’s updated issue brief on a national strategy for international education speaks to the need for the United States to “increase its efforts to attract and retain the world’s best and brightest and ensure domestic students have access to opportunities that keep them competitive and equipped to collaborate across borders” in order to advance American foreign policy, diplomacy, innovation, national security, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Sessions led by SIOs, government officials, and other thought leaders proposed a variety of paths forward and reinforced just how important international education is to our shared future.

With so much to do and see over the course of five days, it is difficult for me to identify a single highlight or takeaway from #NAFSA75. That being said, as a young professional, I was heartened to see so many conversations with individuals in varying stages of their career about the importance of professional development, mentorship, and fostering the next generation of international education leaders. The creation of these safe spaces to discuss what it means to be an international educator and how everyone in the field is constantly learning and growing in their role is incredibly powerful.

Read on for more takeaways and key policy and regulatory updates shared during the week. For more insights from a NAFSA newcomer, I encourage you to check out Karin Fischer’s most recent Latitudes.

• Mark and Andrea joined Carl Herrin of Worcester State University and Rachel Banks of NAFSA for an engaging panel on current Hill dynamics and their impact on the exchange program budget and international student and study abroad policy changes.

• Mark attended NAFSA’s Hill Breakfast where Senator Dick Durbin pledged his commitment to passing the Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act this Congress.

• The Department of Commerce announced that, for the first time, international education will be included as a priority in the forthcoming iteration of the U.S. national export strategy.

• The Bureau of Consular Affairs is on track to issue 35% more international student visas this year than in 2019. This record-breaking statistic is the highest number of international student visas issued in nearly a decade. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services Julie Stufft also shared the Bureau's goal of ensuring no student misses a program because of administrative processing.

Reps. Moore and Kuster support BridgeUSA in House Resolution

Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) reintroduced a House Resolution yesterday supporting Department of State BridgeUSA exchange programs. Supported by more than 400 organizations, associations, and businesses, the resolution recognizes international exchange as an invaluable public diplomacy tool, as well as a way to strengthen American business and our economy. 

The Alliance is so grateful to Reps. Moore and Kuster, as well as original co-sponsor Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), for their strong support of Department of State international exchange programs. BridgeUSA exchanges are an undeniable win-win for the U.S., which is why they continue to have broad bipartisan support. 

“These work and study exchange programs have opened up amazing opportunities and experiences in America for hundreds of thousands of foreigners while also supplementing our workforce and supporting our businesses,” Rep. Moore said in a statement announcing the introduction of the resolution. 

BridgeUSA programs bolster our national security and foreign policy by creating lasting relationships with students and young leaders from around the world. “The work-and study-based exchange visa program attracts foreign visitors, students, and workers to our state and strengthens cultural understanding,” said Rep. Kuster. Throughout their programs, participants develop a more positive view of the U.S. and maintain friendships with Americans for years to come. Their connection with the U.S. persists as they become leaders in their home countries, supporting U.S. diplomatic efforts worldwide. There’s no doubt that the relationships and improved impressions that participants develop strengthen our national security. 

BridgeUSA programs pack a powerful punch when it comes to economic value, contributing more than $1.2 billion to the U.S. economy each year. These programs support American businesses, camps, universities, and families. A majority of host companies and camps report that their businesses would be negatively impacted without access to BridgeUSA programs.  

“We must invest in the BridgeUSA program to bolster our economy and enrich our communities for years to come. I am proud to join with my colleagues from across the aisle to ensure that is the case,” said Rep. Kuster. 

Rep. Moore added, “States like Utah that rely on a seasonal workforce to fuel local tourism need programs like these to ensure economic growth, and I am thrilled to once again lead this Resolution with my colleague Representative Kuster.” 

Each year, approximately 300,000 international students and young people from 200 countries and territories travel to the U.S. to participate in BridgeUSA exchange programs. Originally created alongside Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development during the Cold War, these programs continue to serve the diplomatic mission they were first intended to promote – to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries.  

Reflections from the Future: Angela Zheng, Global Ties U.S.

As a young professional who recently finished my graduate degree in international affairs, my encounter with the international exchange field was a pleasant surprise. My studies made a career path in foreign policy feel like a scramble to climb Mount Everest to squint down 30,000 feet above the ground. My internship at Global Ties U.S. introduced me to citizen diplomacy and international exchanges, which focus on building people-to-people relationships to connect individuals across borders. This field built on handshakes and homestays has been incredibly warm and welcoming, and afforded me real professional growth opportunities.

I love international exchanges because they are a wonderful vehicle for making foreign policy accessible and relatable for local U.S. communities and engage a far broader audience than government alone. Exchanges matter because the authentic connections individuals form with visitors over Taco Tuesday and Fourth of July barbecues can have a far deeper impact than any book, documentary, or briefing alone, and foster lasting networks between people within the United States and across the world. Exchanges offer an invaluable opportunity to showcase the diverse tapestry of the United States and its values to the world.

At Global Ties U.S., I help support advocacy activities for the Global Ties Network as part of my portfolio. At first, I was intimidated and anxious because I knew just how important advocacy is for continued funding for government sponsored exchanges. Capitol Hill seemed like an unapproachable place snapped straight from a history textbook or a news segment off the television, somewhere far too storied for me to contribute meaningful ideas. After I attended the Alliance trainings and went to my first Advocacy Day on the Hill, I learned that advocacy is actually just like exchange and communications. Advocacy is a storytelling opportunity to form a connection during a meeting. It is just like what I do every day.

Angela was first exposed to international exchange as a Gilman Critical Language scholar in 2019. That interest blossomed she learned more about public and citizen diplomacy during her internship with Global Ties U.S. in 2022. She first learned about the Alliance as part of her advocacy onboarding training in 2022 and had her first in-person interaction at the Alliance Annual Conference. It was eye-opening to meet with representatives from such a wide spectrum of international exchange organizations.

Reflections from the Future: Jacob Gandolfi, FHI 360

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Jacob Gandolfi reflects on what the next 30 years of our field will look like and how we can continue to grow as a community.

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International Education by the Numbers: 2022 SEVP Data shows programs in recovery

With each new year comes new data on the state of international education and exchange programs. The information coming out of reports such as IIE’s Open Doors and NAFSA’s Economic Value Statistics indicate pre-pandemic level numbers are either here or on the horizon. The data from The Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s (SEVP) 2022 SEVIS by the Numbers corroborates this story.  

The report shows that SEVIS recorded 276,723 active J-1 exchange visitors in 2022, an increase of 15% from the previous year’s figure of 240,479. While 2019’s SEVIS-recorded number (532,711) is almost twice as large as 2022’s, the increase from 2021 to 2022 shows clear program recovery. On the F-1 and M-1 front, SEVIS recorded 1,523,758 active students throughout the 2019 calendar year. 1,362,157, the number of F-1 and M-1 students recorded in 2022, is only a 10.6 percent decrease from 2019 and is a 10.1 percent increase from 2021. 

Among those overall numbers, Asia stood out as having the largest number of active F and M international student records, making up 70.4 percent of the total international student population. This was in large part due to the number of students from China and India, with 324,196 and 297,151 active students respectively. IIE’s latest Open Doors Report published late last year tells a similar story: according to their report, students from China and India accounted for 52 percent of international students during the 2021/22 academic year. 

While understanding where international students are from helps understand international education trends, identifying where they attend school once they arrive in the United States is critical to our work as exchange community advocates. As the Alliance continues to engage congressional offices, the report’s data on the number of international students in each state helps to identify and strengthen champions of exchange programs throughout the country. As in past years, California stood out as hosting the largest percentage of international students (16.5 percent) of any U.S. state. NAFSA’s 2022 Economic Value Statistics tool tells a similar story: international students in California contributed $5.4 billion dollars to the U.S. economy and supported 54,023 jobs. California lawmakers have also come to the table this year, willing to put their support for international education and exchange programming in writing: both CA Senators and 14 CA Representatives signed on to letters of support for the Alliance’s FY24 educational and cultural exchange funding ask. The SEVIS data on international students hosted in California provides us as advocates with another data point to turn to when highlighting the power of these opportunities.  

This year’s report continues to confirm what we are seeing from other industry reports: international students and exchange visitor numbers are steadily increasing as the world re-engages post-pandemic. 

Biden Administration’s FY24 Budget Request: Proposed Exchanges Funding Explained

The Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) appropriations cycle is officially in full swing with the release of the Biden Administration’s proposed budget late last week. The President’s $6.8 trillion request, while unlikely to be enacted in the current divided Congress, presents a starting point for the negotiations to come.

The FY24 proposed budget includes $70.6 billion (an $8.9 billion increase compared to FY23) in discretionary non-emergency funding for the International Affairs Budget. As a portion of this larger international affairs funding, State Department Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) programs are budgeted at $783.7 million, a $6.2 million (0.8%) increase from the current FY23 enacted level of $777.5 million.

In reviewing the State Department’s Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ, pg. 57-61), there are three notable takeaways:

1. The proposed ECE budget has an overall increase, but the majority of flagship ECA programs include cuts.
   While this year’s topline request is approximately $6 million more than current funding, a closer look shows that it includes cuts across the board to key programs like Fulbright (-$2.25M), Gilman (-$800k), and IVLP (-$2.73M). See specific line items in the table below.

2. Majority of increased funding goes toward the Young Leaders Initiatives and Exchanges Support.
   The main areas of increased investment include the Young African Leader’s Initiative (+$5.1M), Young South-East Asian Leaders Initiative (+$6.2M), and Exchanges Support (+$10M). The CBJ notes that the additional funding for Exchanges Support is devoted to “the FY 2024 projected American Pay Raise, one new position to support YSEALI, IT modernization, and various working capital funds and other IT support charges.”

3. The language around programming focuses on competing with China and Russia, which is in line with the proposals for the International Affairs Budget as a whole.
   The justifications for both the Academic Programs and Professional and Cultural Exchanges requests highlight that funding in these areas is needed to help the U.S. compete with China and Russia in attracting international students, as well as presenting alternatives to their influence vis-à-vis sharing American values around the world. This emphasis fits into the larger picture of the Administration using the resources proposed in the International Affairs Budget as a means to counter Chinese global influence and support Eastern Europe against Russian authoritarianism, which is well outlined in USGLC’s budget analysis.

While an increased topline request for exchanges is positive, the proposed cuts to ECA’s flagship programs referenced above would hinder the ability of exchange programs to meet the goals set by the Administration.

As a result, the Administration's request reinforces the importance of our continued advocacy efforts during the FY24 cycle. In our advocacy activities over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to promote our community’s request for ECE funding at $855 million.

Statement regarding proposed reforms to the federal Au Pair cultural exchange program

Statement of the Alliance for International Exchange Regarding Proposed Reforms to the Federal Au Pair Cultural Exchange Program

Washington, D.C. – February 23, 2023 –  On behalf of our members designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer the federal au pair cultural exchange program, the Alliance for International Exchange is supportive of the Department of State (DOS) taking steps to clarify and modernize the program via new regulations. DOS is uniquely positioned to modify the program and, in so doing, to strike a balance between the program’s clear foreign policy and public diplomacy goals and the need to update and clarify certain aspects of the program in support of all program participants.

On February 10, proposed new regulations were submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). We look forward to the opportunity to review the proposed new regulations in full once they become publicly available, and to weigh in at that time on the impact they may have on our international exchange community.

For more than three decades, the federal au pair program has remained a vitally important cultural exchange opportunity for thousands of American families and young people from around the world.  The program provides a mutually enriching experience that builds bridges across borders and cultures, sparks mutual understanding, and creates meaningful life-long friendships.

Member Op-Ed: With Virtual Exchange, Young People are Changing the World

By Carol Jenkins, World Learning and Christine Shiau, Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute

“There are some youth who have energy and want to make their community a better place, but they don’t know how.”

Areej of Iraq spoke these words after leading a two-month virtual exchange program called Leaders of Tomorrow that connects high school students online from Iraq, Mexico, and the United States to focus on conflict resolution and community action projects.

How much better off would our world be if we could harness the passion and potential of the world’s youth?

Through virtual exchange, children in New York City’s public schools have learned game design in lockstep with peers in Bahrain. Latino high school students in San Antonio have partnered with fellow students in Libya to create actionable pollution solutions for India’s Ganges River, and rural community college students have had worldview-expanding experiences getting to know peers in Iraq.

Virtual exchange is booming, thanks in part to the Stevens Initiative, founded in 2015 to honor U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, who was killed in a raid in Benghazi a decade ago on September 11. Inspired by his lifelong passion for building bridges between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa, his family launched the Stevens Initiative in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, the Aspen Institute, the Bezos Family Foundation, and the governments of Morocco and the UAE.

Through convenings, advocacy, research, and grant making to organizations such as World Learning, a nonprofit and educational institution, the Stevens Initiative has powered virtual education programs that will have reached some 75,000 young people in 17 MENA countries and 49 U.S. states by summer 2023.

Today, both technology and a strong cohort of international education partners have made virtual exchange not only possible, but a growing part of the global educational landscape. At a time when our country is seeking to eliminate disparities and create economic equity for all genders, physical abilities, and socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, institutionalizing virtual exchange across the educational system is a powerful way to level the playing field. Virtual exchanges should be a part of every student’s experience, whether in grade school, high school, university, or community college.

For young people living in remote or rural settings, or who don’t have the financial resources to travel, virtual exchange offers a door to global awareness and skill-building that can enhance college readiness, expand employment opportunities, and contribute to personal growth.

And as diverse populations have access to the skills taught in exchanges, they share that information in their communities and create a cascade effect in which people from underserved communities are given opportunities to create change.

Within World Learning’s program The Experiment Digital, for example, Malak A. of Egypt is leading the Climate Change Warriors Project, educating Egyptian youth about the impact of climate change. Participants are spreading awareness online, convening experts to discuss environmental sustainability, leading street clean-up campaigns, and organizing field trips to natural protectorates.

In Pittsburgh, PA, Sophia G. founded a platform for multiracial youth to connect with each other, discuss interracial matters and current social issues, and publish informational materials. Through virtual discussions and an in-person summit, Sophia and another alumna from The Experiment Digital hope to empower youth to affirm and explore multiracial identities.

Now is the perfect time to introduce your students to the possibilities of virtual exchange programs available to them after school and this summer. Encourage them to develop their skills, find their voice, and connect with their peers from around the world to discover the power they have to make a difference. In so doing, we’ll prepare all students for success not only as global citizens but as thought leaders and change makers too.

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Carol Jenkins is the CEO of World Learning and Christine Shiau is Executive Director of the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute.

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Carol Jenkins is the CEO of World Learning Inc., which encompasses three distinct branches: The Experiment in International Living; School for International Training, which includes SIT Study Abroad and SIT Graduate Institute; and the nonprofit global development and exchange unit World Learning. Jenkins also serves as president of the global development and exchange division, where she oversees programs in more than 30 countries. Jenkins has served in multiple positions at World Learning over more than a decade. She first joined in June 2007 as senior director of international programs after a 16-year career in humanitarian aid and development. She spent seven years at the organization, including three years as head of its International Development and Exchange. In 2014, after nearly a year working on business and program development for World Vision in East Africa, Jenkins returned to World Learning. Under Jenkins’s leadership, World Learning’s development portfolio has seen revenue increase by 14 percent with continued anticipated growth. She oversaw the merger of World Learning’s three development and exchange offices into one location, leveraging the assets of more than 100 staff members. She was named CEO in February 2018. Prior to joining World Learning, Jenkins was director of program development for International Medical Corps, where she managed a team of technical business development professionals to improve the quality of field programs and expand the coverage to project recipients. She also previously spent 12 years working for World Vision, including a period during which she was posted in Southern Africa. Jenkins holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Messiah College in Pennsylvania. She was a fellow at the Luskin School of Public Affairs at University of California, Los Angeles, in 2012 and a participant in the Leadership Program at the International Civil Society Center.

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Christine Shiau is Executive Director of the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute. She drives vision and performance, leading strategy and program development, cultivating international and philanthropic partnerships, and ensuring effective management and oversight of the program. She blends strategic insight with creativity to establish virtual exchange as a cutting-edge field that builds global competencies and career readiness skills in youth and propels the internationalization of education.  Christine sits on the board of the Alliance for International Exchange and AMP Global Youth. She joined the Initiative following a career in the public and private sectors. Christine graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a B.S. in accounting and a minor in marketing. She received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

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