Building Champions One Meeting at a Time: Advocacy Day 2024

Nearly a month ago now, Alliance members arrived in Washington DC to raise their voices in support of international exchange programs. This year’s event on March 7 brought an exciting, and somewhat hectic, energy to Capitol Hill with the looming deadline to avoid a government shutdown and State of the Union address later that evening. See a brief recap of the key highlights above.

Even in my sixth Advocacy Day with the Alliance, I remain impressed by our members’ enthusiasm and dedication to representing not only their specific programs, but also the larger international exchange community. Gabi Hunt, Program Associate at the Stevens Initiative, had this to say about her experience:  

“Advocacy Day is not just a critical opportunity for ensuring that decisionmakers are aware of the exchange community’s incredible work, but also an invaluable forum for connecting with peers across this space. Each year, I leave this day energized by our collective effort advocating for the importance of these programs, while also feeling connected to colleagues who share my belief in the transformative power of international exchange.” 

Advocacy Day is also a great opportunity to bring the Alliance membership together. The current state team structure, which places participants in groups based on their ties to one main state, aims to connect members across programs and professional experience. This year, we worked to provide more opportunities for these connections with the introduction of the state team meet up and a young professional gathering ahead of Advocacy Day. Both of these were in addition to our traditional Congressional Reception on the Hill that allows our members to network with each other, congressional staff, and our partners at the Department of State, which included our keynote speaker Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange Rebecca Pasini. In discussing the benefits of Advocacy Day as an opportunity to meet a variety of Alliance members, Alliance Board member and President of Greenheart International, Daniel Ebert shared: 

“What stood out to me this year was the caliber of industry representatives our member organizations sent over for these crucial meetings on the hill.  It truly gave me renewed hope for the next generation of cultural exchange leadership.  The individuals that were on my teams were whip-smart, articulate, passionate and clearly dedicated to the great work they do.  I had so much fun getting to know each of them and hearing their stories about how exchanges influenced, and continue to influence, their lives.” 

We hope that Alliance members will also view Advocacy Day not only as an experience that demonstrates the value in advocating on important issues, but even more so, the importance of using your story to positively impact the country. As exchange program practitioners, many with exchange experiences themselves, our members have the tools to successfully share the power of these programs with our policymakers, which helps gather and/or maintain support for their continuation. Trevor Phipps, Senior Program Manager at Alliance Abroad and McCarry Awardee, had this to say after his first Advocacy Day: 

“As a citizen, I think it is important to voice your support of movements that can better your nation. I believe in the importance of International Exchange and Education, and the boundless positive impacts it has on our country. Advocacy Day gave me the opportunity to use my voice with hopes that our representatives will listen and embrace supportive actions. I think everyone should do it at least once.” 

As our first flagship event of this year, Advocacy Day lays critical groundwork for achieving our 2024 goals of validating and communicating exchanges’ impact, strengthening our position as a community, and better preparing for the upcoming elections this November. The success of these efforts is due in large part to the commitment and participation of our members, and we look forward to continuing our collective work in the months ahead.  

Same Number, Different Story: Takeaways from the President’s FY25 Budget Request

Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 is not yet finalized, but with the release of the President’s $7.3 trillion Budget Request (PBR) for FY 2025 on Monday, the Biden Administration officially kicked off this year’s appropriations cycle and the next battle over federal funding. For context, this request adheres to the bipartisan spending caps from Congress’ debt ceiling deal last summer. These constraints have a noticeable impact on many areas of the PBR, especially the International Affairs (IA) Budget.

The FY25 request includes a proposed 1% increase ($656 million) for the IA Budget from the FY23 adjusted enacted level, raising it to $64.4 billion. Within that funding, Educational and Cultural Exchange Program (ECE) funding has been allocated $777.5 million (DOS Budget Appendix, pg. 751-752), which is the same amount as the current FY23 enacted level. For a reminder of where funding currently stands, please see the chart below.

Current Enacted Level (FY23)

$777.5M

House FY24 SFOPS Bill

$700.95M

Senate FY24 SFOPS Bill

$779.5M

FY24 Enacted Level

?

President’s FY25 Budget Request

$777.5M

 ECE fared better than many with a level funding request, particularly when considering the uncertainty around FY24 numbers and the overall political pressure for spending cuts. Although, in reviewing the details in the Department of State’s Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ, pg. 60-64), there are a number of proposed changes for the funding allocation within the account, and as a result, a noticeable impact on the priorities of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Our main takeaways are below:

1. While the topline number is the same as FY23, the proposed ECE budget includes significant “realignments between bureau program activities.” (CBJ, pg. 61)

As with last year’s PBR, there are notable cuts to most of ECA’s flagship programming, including Fulbright (-$5.3 million), Gilman (-$1.1 million), and the International Visitor Leadership Program -($1.6 million), among others. Those funds are reshuffled to account for the increases to the Young Leaders Initiatives programs (+$11.3 million), specifically YALI and YSEALI, as well as Exchanges Support (+$4.6 million). This realignment mirrors the Administration’s FY24 request, but with the lower topline number, the impact is more significant. See below for a comparison between this year’s request, the President’s FY24 request, and the current enacted level.

FY25 Request: $777.5 M

FY24 Request: $783.7M

FY23 Enacted: $777.5M

Academic Programs

$378.8M*

$381.8M*

$373.6M

Professional and Cultural Exchanges

$224.8M

$222.5M

$227.5M

Special Initiatives

$66.8M

$66.8M

$55.5M

Program and Performance

$13.4M

$13.5M

$15.8M

Exchanges Support

$93.7M

$99.1M

$89.1M

* Includes American Spaces program (+$16M for FY25 and +$14.9M for FY24), which is not under Academic Programs in the enacted FY23 bill.

1. This request reaffirms the Biden Administration’s priorities of engagement with critical regions of Southeast Asia and the African continent.

The proposed increases to the Young Leaders Initiatives programs demonstrate the Biden Administration’s continued commitment to advancing people-to-people exchanges in Southeast Asia and Africa (CBJ, pg. 62), which was a major component of last year’s request as well. We agree that expansion of exchange programs in these critical regions will further bolster the United States’ foreign policy goals. However, when coupled with cuts to other key programming that could also reach those areas and reinforce the YLI efforts, the results won’t be as comprehensive as they have the potential to be.

1. Continued budget and political environment constraints will make FY25 an uphill battle for exchanges funding.

This request has little chance of becoming law with the current divided Congress and will likely to be the high funding watermark for the FY25 cycle. Our understanding is that the House and Senate funding numbers, and later the enacted FY25 appropriation, will more than likely be below this level. Given this probability, the PBR is an important reminder that the Alliance and the larger international exchange community needs to engage in robust collective advocacy on Capitol Hill on behalf of our request of $808.6 million and to protect exchanges from potential cuts. Our advocacy efforts to support strong exchanges funding in FY25 have already started. Notably, our funding request was discussed in more than 125 meetings with congressional offices during our annual Advocacy Day last week. With your help, we will continue to push this request forward throughout this spring and summer to share the importance and power of exchange programs with key policymakers. Stay tuned for ways to get involved! 

Ensuring Programmatic Integrity: Commenting on the Au Pair Proposed Regulation

A critical area of the Alliance’s advocacy efforts is engaging in the Department of State’s regulatory processes. When the Department proposes changes to the function and implementation of a program, the Alliance engages impacted members, partners, and communities to gain an understanding of the situation and put forward a strong, unified response. The federal regulatory process provides for public comment periods, and submitting comments during this time is critical to influencing the outcome. 

Our most recent work came on behalf of the Au Pair Program. In October 2023, the Department of State released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) outlining major regulatory changes to the federal Au Pair Program. The Alliance has long supported modernizing the Au Pair Program regulations for the benefit of au pairs and host families. Upon reading the proposed changes and hearing from our Au Pair members, however, we became concerned that the proposed regulations would threaten to significantly harm an exchange program with a nearly 40-year track record of success.  

Our first step was to work with our Au Pair Steering Committee and Working Group to gain a full understanding of the impact of the proposed changes. What we came to understand is that, if enacted, the proposed regulation would: 

• Strip away the essential cultural exchange nature from the program, turning it into a domestic labor program; 

• Diminish participation in the program by 70-90% by making it far too expensive and outpricing many American families, including middle-class and military families, and essential workers and first responders, and thus concurrently diminishing the number of au pairs who could participate; and 

• Negatively impact the Department of State’s public diplomacy goals. 

Second, we petitioned the Department to extend the comment period. The initial comment period was only 60 days, set to end on December 29, 2023. Given the limited amount of time this gave concerned parties to share their thoughts (not to mention two major holidays also cutting into the time), the Alliance requested that the comment period be extended by at least 30 days. This request directly led to a 30-day extension, with a new deadline of January 28, 2024. 

Third, we immediately engaged au pair host families, encouraging them to submit their own comments on the proposed regulation. This grassroots letter campaign led to 5,233 comment letters being sent to the Department. We also led a campaign encouraging constituents to write their Senators and express support for the program, which led to  4,286 advocates reaching out to all 100 Senators. 

Fourth, we wanted to have a fuller understanding of the impact these regulations would have on the program, namely on the desire and ability of host families to participate. We worked with the firm McDermott, Will & Emery to survey current and recent host families. Unfortunately, the data showed that, if these proposed regulations went into effect and raised the price of the program by 150-200%, more than 90% of host families would no longer choose to participate. This would of course have a devastating impact on the program.  

And finally, we gathered detailed information from our Au Pair members regarding the more than 220 changes being proposed. This information formed the basis of the fifty-page comment letter we submitted to the Department. This letter addresses our general concerns (p. 1), identifies principal problematic aspects of the NPRM (p. 5), and outlines recommendations for a clear and modernized regulation (p. 10). It also provides commentary and recommendations on more than 50 individual proposed provisions. 

Summary of Problematic Aspects 

• Counter to the cultural exchange mission and mandate of the program 

• Does not include a clear statement of federal preemption 

• Undermines the experience of au pairs 

• Dramatic increase in costs for host families, and, consequently, a dramatic decrease in au pair and host family participation 

• Complex and burdensome administrative requirements would discourage participation and create new problems where there were none previously, and confusing and contradictory requirements would put host families at risk of liability 

• Underestimation of financial burden on sponsors 

Guiding Principles for a Successful Regulation 

• The regulation must include an express, clarifying statement of federal preemption as to the program’s terms and conditions 

• The regulation must be narrowly tailored, aiming to modernize and clarify only key issues 

• The regulation must continue to ensure that cultural exchange is at the heart of the program 

• A commitment to maintaining affordability and accessibility must be central 

• The regulation should keep the administrative burden at a minimum 

• The current flexibility must be retained 

While this comment letter is only the start of our engagement in the regulatory process, it is a significant one that dictates our actions and messaging going forward as we continue to engage with our colleagues at ECA to come to an NPRM that supports all those invested in the program. We are grateful for all those who contributed to the comment letter process and look forward to the work to come to ensure the integrity of this important cultural exchange program is preserved.

Check out a full summary of our work on the Au Pair proposed regulation, as well as on Congressional activity and media mentions. 

Meeting Unfulfilled Demand: $808.6 million for exchange programs in FY25

By Andrea BodineEvery February, Alliance staff and our Appropriations Working Group, consisting of members who implement Department of State funded exchange programs, formulate a funding request for the upcoming fiscal year. This ask is then used by Alliance members as a major talking point during our annual Advocacy Day with the Appropriations Committees, in addition to other touchpoints throughout the cycle. The Appropriations Working Group recently decided on an ask of $808.6 million for DOS educational and cultural exchanges (ECE) in FY25. Here’s how we arrived at that number.  Each year’s ask formulation comes with its own considerations and challenges, and FY25 has been no different. The 2024 presidential election is around the corner, rising costs continue to impact program administration, and funding for FY24 has yet to be finalized. On Capitol Hill, appropriators are struggling to agree on any spending bills and budgets across agencies and departments remain uncertain as the threat of a government shutdown looms.  

Where are we now? Department of State Exchange Program Funding
Current Enacted Level (FY23)	$777.5M
President’s FY24 Budget Request	$783.7M
House FY24 SFOPS Bill	$700.95
Senate FY24 SFOPS Bill	$779.5M
Final FY24 Enacted Level	?  (Current continuing resolution expires March 8)
President’s FY25 Budget Request	? (President’s budget expected to be released March 11)

To triangulate our FY25 ask, we considered several factors: First, we looked at the results of snapshot survey of our members intended to understand the “opportunity gap” – that is, the number of applications for programs vs. the number of spots available. The data showed clearly and compellingly that there is large unmet demand. The U.S. is engaging with only a fraction of highly qualified American and international exchange program candidates. More than 85% of demand for eight surveyed programs went unfilled in FY23, as funding was available for only 14% of applicants.   Second, rising costs and inflation have a significant impact on program implementation. We wanted to have a picture of what our funding level would look like if it at least kept pace with inflation. The Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator shows that the current FY23 funding level of $777.5M, which was enacted in December 2022, one year later has the buying power of $803.6M, or a 3.4% increase. Third, we looked at the recent history of ECE funding, which has seen a 10.8% increase over the past 5 years: 

FY19-20	+4.9%
FY20-21	+0.6%
FY21-22	+3.1%
FY22-23	+1.9%
FY23-24	0.0% to +0.3% (assuming flat funding or the Senate’s proposed number)

The Working Group agreed that it’s reasonable to say that only in FY20 and FY22 have those increases (4.9% and 3.1%) allowed the programs to not lose ground and have some very modest growth. In other years, however, those small increases did not allow programs to keep pace with inflation and rising costs, let alone see growth. Given these factors, the group concluded, the Alliance will ask for $808.6 million for ECE programs in FY25, a 4% increase from the FY23 enacted level. This ask allows us to strongly advocate for exchange programs while acknowledging the tough budgetary and political environment we face. And a 4% funding increase would allow programs to keep pace, while also providing the opportunity to meet at least a small fraction of unmet demand for exchange programs. Increasing exchange funding would provide more opportunities for qualified Americans to participate in upskilling opportunities, as well as expand U.S. foreign policy effectiveness in critical regions. With more funding for exchange programs, the U.S. could: 

• Share exchange experiences with more qualified young Americans that help build their career skills and global abilities. 
• Take advantage of opportunities to engage more rising young leaders as Department of State exchange program alumni and citizen ambassadors, especially when other countries are expanding their investment in people-to-people exchanges. 

We look forward to delivering our ask to Congressional offices starting on March 7 with Advocacy Day and continuing into the spring as the FY25 “appropriations season” gets into full swing.  

Au Pair Program Clarifying Regulation

Background:
On October 30, 2023, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the Department of State (DOS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) outlining significant regulatory changes to the federal au pair cultural exchange program. These changes were only proposed (not enacted) and put forward for public comment.

The Alliance has long supported modernizing the Au Pair Program regulations for the benefit of au pairs and host families. We are very concerned, however, that the proposed regulations threaten to significantly harm an exchange program with a nearly 40 track record of success. Specifically, if enacted, the proposed regulation would:

• Strip away the essential cultural exchange nature from the program, turning it into a domestic labor program

• Diminish participation in the Au Pair Program by 70-90% by making it far too expensive and outpricing many American families, including middle-class and military families, and essential workers and first responders, and thus concurrently diminishing the number of au pairs who could participate

• Negatively impact the Department of State’s public diplomacy goals

Alliance Response:
In response to these proposed changes, the Alliance, along with our members and fellow program advocates, took the following actions: 

• Initiated request to extend comment period: The initial comment period for the proposed rule was only 60 days, set to end on December 29, 2023. Given the limited amount of time this allowed concerned parties to share their thoughts, the Alliance sent a letter to ECA requesting the comment period be extended by at least 30 days. This request directly led to a 30-day extension of the comment period, with a new deadline of January 28, 2024. 

• Led comment letter writing campaign: The Alliance launched a grassroots letter writing campaign that led to 5,233 comment letters being sent to DOS. 

• Led Senate letter writing campaign: The Alliance also led a grassroots letter campaign for constituents to write their Senators and express support for the program, which led to 4,286 advocates reaching out to all 100 Senators. 

• Submitted Alliance comment letter: After extensive consultation and collaboration with au pair members, the Alliance submitted a comprehensive comment letter outlining our overarching concerns with the proposed rule, sharing our reactions to specific changes, and outlining recommendations. In particular, we noted:

  • That the proposed regulations would make the program too expensive and too administratively burdensome for most host families to participate. Participation by both host families and au pairs would thus plummet, irreparably harming the program and threatening its existence.

  • That we believe any future version of this proposed regulation should not be an unnecessarily sweeping re-regulation of the program, but rather a narrowly-tailored program update that focuses on:   

    • A clear statement of federal preemption to clarify any confusion regarding the fact that the federal regulations of the program always have and continue to preempt all state and local labor laws as to the  program’s terms and conditions, including local wage and hour laws that may otherwise seek to regulate au pair compensation;   

    • A reasonable and uniform increase to the au pair stipend     

    • An update to the educational component to include volunteer and online opportunities and with a reasonable increase to the allowance families would pay.

• Facilitated research and comment from regulatory experts: In partnership with the Alliance’s au pair members, we worked with the firm McDermott Will & Emery to gather data on how the proposed changes would impact au pairs and host families, as well as to submit further comment.  

Congressional Response: 

• Bipartisan Senate sign-on letter in support of the Au Pair Program: On December 15, 2023, Senators Shaheen (D-NH) and Tillis (R-NC) sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of State expressing support for the Au Pair Program and concern about the proposed regulation. The final letter was co-signed by: Senators Coons (D-DE), Cruz (R-TX), Duckworth (D-IL), Risch (R-ID), and Van Hollen (D-MD).  

Partner Response:

• U.S. Small Business Administration comment letter

Media: 

• Au Pair Program Eyed for Wage, Hour Revamp in New US Proposal – Bloomberg Law 

• Au Revoir, Au Pairs – The Wall Street Journal 

• Au Pair Wage, Hour Overhaul Public Comment Period Extended – Bloomberg Law 

• WILL THE AU PAIR PROGRAM CONTINUE TO BE AN AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES? - National Military Family Association 

• Cost of Hiring Au Pairs Could Double Under Biden Administration Proposal – The Wall Street Journal 

• Au (s)pair me – Politico 

• State Dept. proposing major changes to U.S. au pair regulations – NBC12 

• Families threaten to exit the au pair program if stricter rules are finalized – The Washington Post 

• Pending changes to the au pair program – Good Morning America 

Our 2024 Commitments to Alliance Members

Happy 2024! After a challenging but rewarding 2023, our team entered 2024 more driven and inspired than ever to advocate for educational and cultural exchange programs. 

Instead of making new year’s resolutions, we made a list of commitments to our members that we will work to uphold and prioritize throughout 2024: 

• Validating and communicating our impact: The core of the Alliance’s work is promoting the growth and impact of exchange programs. Everything we do, whether it be advocacy, policy work, communications, or programming, is centered around this drive to show how exchange programs change lives.

• Strengthening our position: Our ability to present a strong, unified front in the face of the uncertainty that comes with an election year will be critical. Our challenge this year will be to take that internal strength and translate it into strong partnerships in our field and on Capitol Hill.

• Preparing for November (and the next Administration): At the end of the day, all roads lead to November. The run up to and outcome of the 2024 election will have a profound impact on the practices and policies that dictate our work. Our goal in the lead up to this unpredictable election is to ensure we are all as prepared as possible for what’s to come. 

Read on to learn more about new and established 2024 Alliance initiatives advancing these commitments: 

Validating and communicating our impact
We want to provide you and fellow exchange champions with the tools, resources, and opportunities to show decision makers how exchange programs support U.S. national security, strengthen the U.S. economy, and increase mutual understanding.  

We recognize that stories paint a picture, but data drives the message home. To that end, we’re excited to announce the creation of a new BridgeUSA report, in partnership with Rajika Bhandari Advisors, on the impact of these programs on participants, host communities, and U.S. public diplomacy. This comprehensive report will update and expand on the critical data shared in the Alliance-commissioned Eureka Facts Reports and will be ready by early fall to use in the direct run-up and immediate aftermath of the election. 

In addition to this new project, we hope members will join us in communicating exchanges’ impact in Washington, D.C. on March 6 and 7 for Advocacy Day, and in their communities on August 5 celebrating Exchange Day’s 10th anniversary. 

Strengthening our position
Strength comes in numbers, and, in our field, we are fortunate to have many partners and fellow champions. We look forward to collaborating with said partners to: 

• Advocate for stronger funding for Department of State exchanges with our members’ networks, as well as the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition 

• Engage the larger BridgeUSA community with the relaunch of Americans for Cultural Exchange 

• Advance international student priorities as a founding member of the U.S. for Success Coalition 

In addition, this election isn’t just about the presidency; it will also reshape the composition of Congress. Our work on Capitol Hill will focus on those Members who are likely to be around in 2025, as well as preparing for the dynamics of a newly balanced Congress. We’ll continue to shore up support with established exchange champions on both sides of the aisle and create new ones. 

Preparing for November (and the next Administration)
This month and again in early March, we’re convening a working group of exchange community leaders to think critically about the election’s potential impact on our programs. The goal of this group will be to create a white paper outlining our principles and priorities. This document will serve as a road map for our 2024 advocacy strategy and will ultimately be shared with the next Administration and Congress to communicate our priorities. 

If you are not currently an Alliance member and are interested in learning more about how to join, please contact Gabrielle Cascio at gcascio@alliance-exchange.org.

Open Position: Assistant Director and Head of Advocacy and Government Relations

The Assistant Director and Head of Advocacy and Government Relations plays a critical role in the Alliance’s advocacy and government relations work on behalf of the U.S. international exchange community, as well as in the development and management of member services. The Assistant Director develops strategies for Congressional advocacy and maintains a wide range of Capitol Hill and federal agency contacts to encourage policies and legislation favorable to international education and exchange. The position further monitors, analyzes, and reports legislative and executive developments and plays a core role in the Alliance’s policy development. As the second-ranking member of a small staff, the Assistant Director plays a key leadership role in Alliance strategy, Board of Directors relations, member engagement, and the general management of the association.

Core responsibilities

Government Relations/Legislative Advocacy

• Maintains a key focus on advancing Alliance federal legislative priorities.

• Develops and maintains relationships on Capitol Hill, with members on key committees and subcommittees, and in districts and states with strong connections to international education and exchange.

• Develops strategic approaches to address legislative issues that impact the international education and exchange community and works with Alliance membership in federal and local grassroots advocacy campaigns.

Member Services and Representation

• Develops and maintains strong relationships with the Alliance membership and provides member services on a broad range of issues and concerns.

• Acts as a key Alliance representative with Alliance committees and working groups, and as speaker at a variety of industry conferences.

Executive Branch Relations

• Develops and maintains relationships with federal agencies such as Department of State, Department of Education, OMB, and others as needed.

• Develops strategic approaches to address regulatory and programmatic issues that impact the international education and exchange community and Alliance membership.

Policy Development

• Plays crucial role in strategizing, crafting, and advancing the Alliance’s policy agenda and objectives.

• Develops and implements policy initiatives to help advance the Alliance's mission and respond to arising threats to the exchange community.

Events Development and Management

• Supports organization of core Alliance events, most notably the Annual Conference and the Advocacy Day fly-in event.

• Helps develop strategy and content for other events and workshops.

Board of Directors Relations

• Supports the Alliance Board of Directors in its governance role.

• Assists in keeping the Board fully informed of internal conditions and important external developments.

 Qualifications

• Seven years of advocacy, government relations, legislative, and/or association/coalition management experience

• Experience with international education and exchange programs or related international affairs issues

• Strong writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills

• Flexibility, creativity, and an ability to move seamlessly between team- and self-directed work

• Bachelor’s degree

• Master’s degree in international affairs, public policy, or a related field is a plus

The position must be based in the DC-metro area. Some domestic/international travel is required. The Alliance offers a competitive salary, a generous benefits package and a flexible, hybrid work schedule.

Submit your application and salary requirement (cover letter and resume in one PDF) to resume@alliance-exchange.org.

Building Unity and Community: Reflections on 2023

Happy 30th anniversary to the Alliance! 

Three decades is no small feat. The Alliance’s longevity is a testament to the resilience of its ideals. As a group of organizations united by a common purpose, we know that our collective efforts make us stronger. 

This year, our team focused our work on five key growth areas: 

Building Unity and Community
Our journey this year has been guided by understanding and serving our members' priorities. Member responses to our Engagement Survey in January told us that they value what we do on their behalf – advocacy most of all – and our members want to be more involved.  

We’ve also worked to bring you together, both in-person and virtually, as much as possible. We held our first in-person Advocacy Day since 2020 on March 9, with 101 participants from 30 Alliance members. We embarked on a journey of enlightenment through our new Community Conversations, providing a virtual platform for the exchange of ideas and insights. We again coordinated Exchange Day, held on August 7. And we were so happy to host more than 300 participants at our marquee event, the Annual Conference.  

Activating Our Network's Advocacy Capabilities
Advocacy remains at the heart of our mission. We started early with a briefing on the Hill in January to engage new Congressional staff. We’ve relentlessly pursued increased funding for educational and cultural exchange (ECE) programs, advocating for $855 million for FY24, with an aspiration of $1.1 billion. Our advocacy efforts gained significant bipartisan support, reinforced by House and Senate sign-letters led by Rep. Hank Johnson (92 signers) and Sen. Cory Booker (38 signers). And our collective advocacy successfully defended exchange programs against a House amendment that aimed to eliminate all funding.  

We’ve worked to energize our local advocacy work in a variety of ways, including: 6 Alliance staff-led meetings with key appropriators and authorizers in FL, UT, and TN; direct coordination with Alliance members to tap into their national networks; and leadership of a broad coalition that led to 420 organizations, businesses, and associations endorsing House Resolution 481 in support of BridgeUSA. 

The Alliance also joined forces with ten fellow international education organizations to create the U.S. for Success Coalition, a multi-sector effort that aims to foster international student success in the United States through a coordinated national effort.  

Prioritizing Collaboration with the Department of State
The Alliance’s enduring partnership with the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has always played a pivotal role in our continued success. We’ve prioritized our already-strong relationships with our DOS colleagues, as evidenced by the more than 50 ECA and Consular Affairs colleagues who participated in the 2023 Annual Conference.  

We’ve also engaged with ECA on key policy and regulatory priorities, including but not limited to: the challenges of rising costs on grant-funded programs; the digitalization of the DS-2019 form; the clarifying regulation for the Au Pair program; the challenges of host family and school recruitment in the High School program; the challenges of rising visa denials on the Summer Work Travel and Camp Counselor programs; and the creation of a Teacher Program Working Group to engage with ECA on this important and growing program. 

Building Thought Leadership
In addition to hosting Community Conversations, we’ve looked to broaden our information sharing and analyses of events, and to be an indispensable information hub. We’ve also focused on a key topic that you, our members, told us was important to you: young professional development. Our team has engaged in conversations with young professionals in the field to gain insight into the topics and issues that are top of mind. These conversations led to: conference sessions exploring how to support emerging leaders in their career development; the relaunching of the McCarry Leadership Award with 21 excellent candidates from 17 member organizations; and the creation of a Young Professional Working Group with more than 40 members. 

Growing the Membership
We are so pleased that our community continues to grow and further reflects the wide array of organizations invested in the success of international education and cultural exchange programs.

New and Returning Full Members
- DA Global- Expert Au Pair
- Gold Advisory
- International Arts and Artists
- One To World- Participate Learning
- Teachers Council 

New Supporters
- Hanover CRM by Cleversteam
- Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) 

We are grateful for the active participation and consultation of our members, our strong collaboration with ECA, and our continued bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, without whom none of these accomplishments would have been possible. 

As we enter the holiday season and prepare for the new year, we hope you’ll take a moment to celebrate our community, field, and shared successes.  

Thank you for being a part of our community and happy holidays from the Alliance! 

Register for Advocacy Day 2024 today!

Registration for Advocacy Day 2024 is now live!

Alliance members: join us on March 6 and 7 to engage with policymakers and share the power of international exchange programs. As we enter 2024 and look toward next November’s elections, now is a crucial time to reach out to current champions of exchange programs and build stronger allies on both sides of the aisle.

To learn more about the schedule of events and register, click here. Registration closes on Monday, February 5.

Announcing the U.S for Success Coalition - A Multisector Initiative to Elevate International Student Success in the United States

The Alliance is excited to join our partners and fellow champions of international education and cultural exchange in launching the U.S. for Success Coalition, an initiative that aims to foster international student success in the United States.

By welcoming international students to the nation’s campuses and making pathways for them to apply their knowledge and skills in local economies upon graduation, the Coalition aims to position the U.S. as a leading destination for the world’s talent.

We look forward to collaborating with our below colleagues, as well as the U.S. government, higher education institutions, the business sector, and other key partners to foster supportive federal policies and practices that allow the U.S. to compete and cooperate effectively on the global stage.

• AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management

• AIEA - Association of International Education Administrators

• ETS

• FWD.us

• Institute of International Education

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators

• Niskanen Center

• Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

• Shorelight

• World Education Services

To learn more about the U.S. for Success Coalition and how your organization can join our collective efforts, visit https://www.usforsuccess.org/.

Introducing the 2023 McCarry Leadership Awardees!

Jaime Fahy

Managing Director, One to World

Driven by a passion for promoting intercultural understanding through meaningful face-to-face exchanges, Jaime Fahy joined One To World four years ago, and went on to take on a number of roles and projects at the organization.

Jaime is now the Managing Director at One To World and in her current role, she supports the Executive Director and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the membership organization, including K-12 programming with Global Classroom, international student and Fulbright enrichment programming, partnership management, finances, and human resources. Most recently, Jaime led One To World’s J-1 Intern & Trainee Sponsor designation application, and is looking forwarding to building out this new NYC program and connecting with the J-1 community.

She has 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, working both in the US and abroad. Before One To World, she worked at a community ecopark in Ramallah, West Bank, and undertook her undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

“Receiving the McCarry Leadership Award is a true honor. This marks my first year as a member of the Alliance, and I am so excited to learn from my fellow awardees, young professionals, and the broader membership. I owe so much of my growth as a person to international exchange, and I look forward to continuing that growth within the Alliance community. 

I am deeply thankful to the Alliance and to Michael McCarry for their unwavering commitment to international exchange and young leaders, which has strengthened our work and community. Through this award and the community it represents, I am inspired to continue McCarry’s legacy, empowering leaders and advocating for our shared goal: to promote the transformative power of international exchange and education.”

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Adrienne jacobs

Senior Program Officer, IREX

Adrienne Jacobs is a senior program officer for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at IREX, and is currently also supporting the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan (Global UGRAD-Pakistan). 

In this role, she supports multiple aspects of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, including the planning and implementation of Fellowship events, such as the annual Summit, program operations including travel coordination, congressional engagement, and more.  For UGRAD-Pakistan, Adrienne is supporting the team to implement a large-scale Alumni conference taking place in Bangkok, Thailand in 2024. 

Prior to IREX, Adrienne worked for the United States Senate Committee on the Budget for nearly two years. She has since been able to translate this experience into supporting the advocacy efforts of the Fellowship’s Institutes and other partners. She is also happy to share her insights with projects and staff across IREX on best practices in informing government representatives about the important work IREX does. Adrienne has a M.A. in peace research and security policy from the University of Hamburg, and a B.A. in international relations and diplomacy from Schiller International University. 

“I am sincerely grateful and looking forward to deepening my engagement with the Alliance. Over my nearly six years at IREX, through sometimes turbulent political times, it has never been clearer to me how important international exchange programs are for the expansion of global understanding and creating meaningful ties with our international partners across sectors and ideologies. I look forward to participating in the Young Professional Steering Committee and bringing new voices from the next generation into the conversation. ”

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trevor phipps

Overseas Partner Account Manager, Alliance Abroad

From a very young age, I was drawn to learning about cultures and people around the world. Along with this global interest, I realized I truly just wanted to be everyone’s friend. A friend helps out each other. So, with this in mind I went on to receive a B.A. in International Development and a minor in African Languages- Swahili from Hamilton-Lugar’s School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University. During this time, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Tanzania for a full academic school year and a separate Summer semester which would impact my life and career more than I knew at the time. I would later go on to receive my Masters in African Studies for International Development. 

My thoughts were that if I could learn the techniques of development that are succeeding in some of the harshest socio-economic environments (like East Africa), then I could apply those techniques to help those all around the world. Later on, through this education I came to learn more about the extreme faults that arise through a large array of different developmental approaches which would make them unsustainable. Along with that, I truly didn’t feel called to a certain field providing development services. That was until I remembered my time abroad. International Exchange is a developmental practice that I truly believe is a sustainable approach to fulfilling the gaps in societal needs. Being able to learn and live with others achieves infinite constructive possibilities. Through connection, relationships, and cross-cultural understanding a problem is not specific to a few but can be approached with the strength of many. 

“I am blessed to work in a field with extraordinary people that go above and beyond to provide life changing opportunities to individuals around the world. My peers are people that I look up to, that I respect, and that, honestly, someday hope to embody. Winning the McCarry Leadership Award is proof of that; proof that those who came before me (like Michael McCarry) built the pathways so that I can do what I love and change lives for the better. I know I can set forth and provide those same pathways for the next generation.”

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 

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.