Moving Forward Together: Reflections on 2024

This year, the Alliance made a list of commitments to our membership that we prioritized throughout 2024: preparing for the incoming Congress and Administration, communicating and validating impact, and strengthening our position. 

Together with our members, supporters, and partners, we upheld those commitments in the following ways: 

Preparing for the incoming Congress and Administration 

• We released our international educational and cultural exchange policy priorities for the incoming Trump Administration. The priorities focus on five key areas of growth and collaboration with the incoming administration: 

• Support a strong appropriation for Department of State international exchange programs  

• Support and expand Department of State BridgeUSA private sector exchange programs  

• Increase the number of international students studying in the U.S.  

• Create more access for American students and young professionals to study and work abroad  

• Ensure effective and secure processing of exchange visitor and international student visas by the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs 

• We congratulated Senator Rubio on his nomination to serve as Secretary of State, and sent a letter to his office, congratulating him directly and highlighting the positive economic, political, and social impact of international exchange programs on Americans and American communities.

• We hosted a post-election briefing for Alliance members to discuss the Alliance’s advocacy strategy in 2025 and beyond and provide an overview of the new Congressional makeup and what we know about the incoming Administration.

• We created a 2024 presidential election working group with 26 Alliance community leaders to talk through the potential outcomes of the 2024 presidential election and the challenges and opportunities posed by either outcome for the exchange community. 

• We hosted an Alliance Community Conversation in February featuring Ben Staub, Partner at Thorsen French Advocacy, and Parker Novak, Deputy Government Relations Director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) who provided an in-depth discussion of the political landscape on Capitol Hill and what to expect as we approach the 2024 presidential and congressional elections.

Communicating and Validating Impact 

• To help tell the stories of exchanges to a wider audience, we facilitated a community-wide messaging and social media campaign focused on international exchanges as proven investments in all facets of American life: 

• Driving the Economy 

• Creating Future Leaders 

• Advancing American Interests 

• Telling America’s Story

• In response to a significant overhaul of the regulations governing the BridgeUSA Au Pair Program, we rallied our members and Au Pair hosts to demonstrate the value of the program and the existential damage the proposed regulatory changes posed. Our collective action resulted in the creation of: a 50+ page comment letter to the Department of State (DOS); a legal comment letter; and a grassroots letter-writing campaign to DOS generating 5,200 comments (approx. 50% of total comments submitted), all leading to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) commitment to reissuing a new proposed rule incorporating feedback from these comments and additional community outreach. 

• Through our annual Advocacy Day, 89 Alliance member participants shared the value of exchange programs with more than 125 congressional offices.

• During our inaugural Summer of Action local advocacy initiative, 19 Alliance members and partners engaged with 51 Members of Congress and their local state/district staff and one Governor’s office increasing awareness of international exchange programs throughout the U.S. 

• To showcase the impact and importance of BridgeUSA programs, we commissioned Rajika Bhandari Advisors (RBA) to compile a comprehensive BridgeUSA impact report on the economic and community benefits of five programs (Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern/Trainee, SWT), which will be released in early 2025. The report will include program one-pagers and state-level economic impact sheets and will serve as a critical component of our advocacy toolkit.

• Alliance members and supporters, participants, alumni, community stakeholders, government officials, as well as fellow exchange advocates celebrated Exchange Day’s 10th anniversary on Monday, August 5. Across the country, Exchange Day participants invited elected and government officials to over 60 in-person events and highlighted programmatic impact on social media. 

Strengthening our Position
Strength comes in numbers, and, in our field, we are fortunate to have many partners and fellow exchange champions. Together we:  

• Pushed for increased educational and cultural exchange funding at $808.6 million in FY25. We facilitated House and Senate letters in support of ECE funding led by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA, 4) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and signed by 110 Representatives and 36 Senators, respectively.

• Defeated three amendments threatening exchange program funding and, in the process, gained vocal support on the House floor from State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Barbara Lee (D-CA, 12) and Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY, 5). Thanks in part to an Alliance-led grassroots letter writing campaign that sent 2,456 letters to 391 Representatives in just three days, the most damaging amendment aiming to defund the ECE account was withdrawn before consideration and the other two voted down handily with bipartisan support. 

• Revamped and reintroduced the Americans for Cultural Exchange coalition. This no cost, no commitment Alliance advocacy initiative supports BridgeUSA programs (Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern, Trainee, Teacher, Secondary School Student, and Summer Work Travel) through engagement of its signers who represent host employers, schools, local chambers of commerce, and exchange organizations. 

• Gathered in Washington, D.C. with over 60 Department of State officials and 250 exchange community members to share information and build community at the 2024 Annual Conference.

• Continued our work driving international student recruitment and success as a co-founder and steering committee member of the U.S. for Success Coalition.

• Engaged 80+ early career exchange professionals through community-building opportunities facilitated by the Young Professionals of the Alliance network, empowering them to take advantage of the Alliance’s variety of advocacy and programming opportunities available to members.

• Welcomed nine new and returning members and supporters to the Alliance community: Au Pair International, Au Pair Weekend, CCUSA, Exchange Your Life, The Forum on Education Abroad, Fulbright Association, Institute of International Education (IIE), JB International, and Stage-Global, who bring invaluable expertise and insight to our collective work.  

The Alliance’s efforts are strengthened and amplified thanks to the commitment of our member organizations, supporters, and countless partners. Thank you to all those who tirelessly advocate on behalf of these life-changing programs. 

As we enter the holiday season and prepare for the new year, we hope all those in the international education and exchange community take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the impact of our work, the strength of our field, and our unified advocacy efforts as we enter 2025.  

Thank you and happy holidays from the Alliance! 

Register for Advocacy Day 2025 today!

Registration for the Alliance’s Advocacy Day 2025 is now live! Alliance Members are invited to join us on March 5 and 6 in Washington, D.C. to engage with the new Congress to demonstrate the positive investment that international exchange has at the state and local level. Attendees will have the opportunity to directly interact with new and returning policymakers and share their exchange impact stories and experiences.

For more information and to register, visit our event website here.

Alliance congratulates Senator Rubio on Secretary of State nomination

The Alliance extends its congratulations to Senator Marco Rubio on his Secretary of State nomination. Since his election to the Senate in 2011, Senator Rubio has been a supporter of international exchange programs, particularly through his membership on the Senate State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. 

On November 21, the Alliance sent a letter to Senator Rubio’s office, congratulating him directly and highlighting the positive economic, political, and social impact of international exchanges on Americans and American communities: 

• An investment in international exchange programs is an investment in the U.S. economy. International university students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and created 378,175 jobs in 2023-24. Approximately 90%, or $660 million, of the Department of State exchange program budget is spent on Americans traveling abroad or by international participants while in America. This is one of the best returns on investment in the entire federal government. 

• International exchanges create political and business networks around the world – networks that cement diplomatic relationships and strengthen national security. Exchange programs have immeasurable national defense and security benefits, provide unique value for our nation, and advance American interests around the world. International exchanges are one of our oldest forms of diplomacy and are a key instrument of U.S. foreign policy, essential to strengthening U.S. global leadership and keeping us safe. Exchanges help us promote American values worldwide and build international partnerships based on shared interests that ultimately save lives and build nations.  

• International exchanges create future American leaders, providing them the skills to be successful on the world stage. More than 31 million job openings require skills in communication, leadership, and problem-solving – all skill sets shaped through international exchange experiences. Studying and traveling abroad helps to build careers – 9 out of 10 youth surveyed say they believe travel experiences increase employability. 

• International exchanges help tell America’s story, showing the world what America is really like, building familiarity, kinship, and trust. Four out of five Americans feel international exchange programs enhance the image of their community as a good place to live. 94 percent of exchange students from Muslim-majority countries reported that they have a deeper, more favorable view of American culture after their year in the United States. 79 percent of Fellows who participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders agreed that the Fellowship helped build lasting and productive relationships, both personal and institutional, between the United States and African countries. 

The Alliance looks forward to engaging Senator Rubio in his new role to sustain, protect, and grow international exchange programs. 

A Proven Investment in America: Exchange Policy Priorities for the Incoming Trump Administration

The Alliance for International Exchange has released its international educational and cultural exchange policy priorities for the incoming Trump Administration. The Alliance recommends that the new Administration make international exchange programs a part of its policy priorities because of the transformative power of exchanges in advancing America’s economic and national security interests.   

The Alliance’s policy priorities paper outlines its recommendations for the incoming Administration, focusing on five key areas of growth and collaboration: 

• Policy Priority #1: Support a robust appropriation for Department of State international exchange programs
   The Alliance recommends that the Trump Administration prioritize robust funding for Department of State international exchange programs, one of the best returns on investment in the federal budget. At $741 million in FY24, funding for exchanges is only 0.0006% of the federal budget. And 90% of this funding, or ~$660 million, is spent domestically – either on Americans to travel abroad or by international participants while in the U.S. Funding for ECA exchange programs grew by 17% during the first Trump Administration, and the Alliance looks forward to coordinating with the Administration to continue this trend and ensure funding for these critical public diplomacy programs continues

• Policy Priority #2: Support and expand Department of State BridgeUSA private sector exchange programs
   The Alliance recommends that the Trump Administration prioritize the well-being and growth of the State Department’s BridgeUSA private sector exchange programs, also known as “J-1 visa programs.” BridgeUSA programs, all limited-term and non-immigrant, contribute to the success of many aspects of American business, education, and family life. Program participants not only play vital roles in American life, but they also pay their own way and come at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer. In addition, BridgeUSA exchange participants traveling to the U.S. contributed at least $584.6 million to the U.S. economy in 2023 before returning home. The Alliance will release its BridgeUSA Regulatory Policy Agenda at the start of 2025 and looks forward to coordinating with the Administration to move this agenda forward on specific programmatic interests.  

• Policy Priority #3: Increase the number of international students studying in the U.S. 
  The Alliance recommends that the Trump Administration prioritize the growth of international college and university students studying in the U.S. International students contribute to the U.S. economy and create American jobs and having a cadre of U.S.-educated political and business leaders around the world forwards U.S. interests. The Alliance is a founding member of the U.S. for Success Coalition, a group of organizations that seek to achieve this policy goal, which looks forward to working with the Trump Administration to bring more international students to our country for our economic and diplomatic benefit.   

• Policy Priority #4: Create more access for American students and young professionals to study and work abroad 
  The Alliance recommends that the Trump Administration prioritize creating more opportunities for American students and young professionals to study and work abroad to keep pace and achieve reciprocity with many other countries around the world. Only 280,000 American students studied abroad in 2022-23, while more than 1 million international students came to the U.S. Studying, interning, and working abroad should not be viewed as a luxury for young Americans, but rather a necessity. International experience is a crucial component of a 21st century education and vital to building leadership skills; allows Americans to succeed in the modern marketplace; and plays an important role in developing the global mindset needed to balance local and international challenges

• Policy Priority #5: Ensure effective and secure processing of exchange visitor and international student visas by the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs 
  The Alliance recommends that the Trump Administration provide sufficient resources to the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. By doing so, the Administration will ensure U.S. consular officers can continue to provide visas to the qualified and fully vetted applicants who bring so much value to our country. A well-resourced Consular Affairs Bureau is able to encourage the continued mobility of non-immigrant exchange participants and international students to the U.S., ensuring we continue to benefit from the economic and diplomatic impact of these programs. 

The full policies priority paper is available here, along with a summary one-pager. 

The Alliance team would like to thank all those who contributed to these priorities and recommendations. The international educational and cultural exchange community is at its strongest when it comes together as a unified voice to advocate for the continued success and growth of these life-changing programs. 

Please contact Mark Overmann at movermann@alliance-exchange.org with any inquiries. 

Moving forward as a community

The country has cast its votes and, as I write this, I find myself focused on two things.  

First, I’m thinking about how international exchange programs change lives. Pure and simple.  

We know the value of our programs, the value of engaging across cultures and borders. We know that exchanges bring resources to U.S. communities large and small; that they create and empower leaders in the U.S. and around the world; and that they break down stereotypes that lead to a more inclusive world. I know that the international exchange community will continue doing its important work every single day. 

Second, I’m thinking about the strength of our community. The passion, optimism, and desire to take action of Alliance members has long allowed us to have strong bipartisan support. This support is real, and it has helped us both to grow and to fight off challenges. While I feel uncertainty about what’s ahead, I’m certain of our power as a community. And I hope you are too.   

Every new Congress and Administration provides us with an opportunity – an opportunity to educate newly elected officials about the value of international education and exchange and to cultivate new allies. So, we’ll continue to do what we always do: be your strong voice in Washington, relentlessly seek common ground, and bring new allies to our cause, all of which will allow us to thrive and flourish for years to come.  

New Alliance messaging campaign: Exchanges are U.S.’ economic and diplomatic engine

On Monday, September 23, the Alliance is excited to launch a messaging platform that aims to tell the story of the transformative power of international exchange in advancing America’s economic and national security interests. 

An investment in international educational and cultural exchange programs (international exchange) is an investment in the U.S. economy, in the next generation of global leaders, in America’s standing in the global community, and in the very spirit of America. In the lead up to the 2024 elections, the Alliance membership and exchange community will amplify unified messaging on the ways international exchanges: 

• Drive America’s Economy: An investment in international exchanges is an investment in the U.S. economy. 

• Create Future Leaders: International exchanges build American leaders to be successful on the world stage.

• Advance American Interests: International exchanges create political and business networks around the world – networks that cement diplomatic relationships, strengthen national security, and bolster the economy. 

• Tell America’s Story: Exchange programs provide perspective into many different aspects of the lived American experience, building familiarity, kinship, and trust. 

We encourage exchange champions to share this messaging with their networks and take to social media to showcase the proven investment of international exchanges using the hashtag #GlobalExchangesLocalImpact. 

The Alliance is grateful to Chris Lukach and his team at AKCG Public Relations Counselors for their collaboration and work on this campaign. 

For questions about the campaign, please contact Gabrielle Cascio at gcascio@alliance-exchange.org. 

House Bill Introduced Supporting the Au Pair Program

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives regarding the modernization of the federal Au Pair Program. Sponsored by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R, PA-14), the Modernizing the Au Pair Program Act. H.R. 9677 (the MAP Act) addresses important issues that the Alliance has worked with its members and Members of Congress on over the last several years. We applaud the introduction of the bill and are pleased to see Rep. Reschenthaler and other Members of Congress supporting the Au Pair program and engaging on these specific issues that are so important to its continued success.

The MAP Act reaffirms and clarifies the exclusive federal regulatory authority of the Department of State over the Au Pair Program. It also directs the Department to use that regulatory authority to issue a regulation that modernizes and strengthens the program in several key ways. The bill directs the Department to modify the au pair stipend in a uniform national way, while keeping the program affordable and flexible for American families. The bill also highlights the participation of military and first-responder families who have increasingly come to rely on and appreciate the value of the program. Lastly, the bill underscores the importance of au pair immersion in host family culture and life.

All of these topics were key parts of the Alliance’s previous comments on the Department of State’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) earlier this year, and we’re pleased to see them so comprehensively addressed in this legislation. The Alliance looks forward to collaborating with our members and Congressional offices as this bill moves through the legislative process.

Introducing the 2024 McCarry Leadership Awardees!

Eliza Chirilă-Pop is the Country Director at American Councils for International Education in Romania. She has previously served as a Romanian Youth Delegate to the United Nations and has worked at the Romanian American University, the Romanian Youth Forum, and the Romanian Students Union on programs related to youth, labor market access, and international affairs. Under her leadership, American Councils in Romania implements major programs like FLEX, FLEX Abroad, and Open World, as well as regional initiatives such as the Elie Wiesel Study Tour and SURE – Students for a United and Resilient Europe.

With extensive experience in international education and cultural exchange programs, she plays a key role in promoting educational opportunities and fostering cross-cultural collaboration between Romania and the United States. Through her leadership, she helps develop programs that support students, educators, and institutions in both countries, enhancing academic and professional exchanges.

“Receiving the McCarry Leadership Award is an incredible honor, as it reflects not just personal achievement, but a shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation across borders. It is a recognition of the power of international exchange to transform lives and communities, and I am deeply grateful to contribute to this important work. This award belongs to all my colleagues at American Councils for International Education, especially the team I have the honor of leading in Romania.”

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Amber Spalek is a Program Officer for the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program at Amideast, where she oversees a portfolio of countries in the Middle East and North Africa. In this role, she works on recruitment and selection, on-program student support, and international alumni programming.

Prior to Amideast, Amber worked on the YES program at iEARN-USA and with a global youth training organization. She is particularly passionate about finding the intersections between international exchange, social justice, and youth development. She was also a 2019 Boren Scholar to China and Taiwan and a 2017 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholar to China. She graduated from George Mason University where she studied Global Affairs and Mandarin Chinese.

“I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the McCarry Leadership Award. My work focuses on youth exchange, which has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of youth in shaping our world. I am eager to deepen my involvement with the Alliance, connect with other emerging leaders in our field, and to foster a more equitable environment for young professionals in international exchange. Through my participation in the Alliance, I hope to open new pathways for future generations of leaders.”

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Laura Wondra is a passionate advocate for International Exchange, inspired by her own transformative experiences that opened her mind to diverse perspectives and cultures. From an early age, Laura engaged in homestays in Vietnam and forged connections with locals in Egypt, experiences that profoundly shaped her worldview. Driven by a desire to create similarly meaningful intercultural experiences for others, she has dedicated herself to this work.

After earning her MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute, Laura led exchange programs both in the US and abroad, eventually leading her to direct an international leadership exchange program for teenagers in upstate New York. In her current role with World Learning, Laura manages two full-scholarship exchange programs with youth from Argentina, Chile, and México. She additionally designed and managed the inaugural Youth Ambassadors Summit in Washington, DC, bringing together young leaders from 26 countries and 25 US states.

With over a decade of experience in International Education and Exchange, Laura has worked with youth from more than 35 countries and 30 US states. Laura believes that every positive intercultural encounter is a move towards a more understanding world, and she is committed to making these opportunities accessible to all.

“I am genuinely honored to receive the McCarry Leadership Award. Michael McCarry’s legacy of advocating for emerging leaders in International Education and Exchange inspires me to deepen my commitment to supporting youth in their own leadership journeys through the programs I manage.

I’m excited to connect with my fellow awardees and learn from the broader Alliance community and am incredibly grateful for the Alliance’s advocacy in a field I know and love. International exchange has been pivotal in my personal and professional growth, and I look forward to continuing that journey within this vibrant network.”

Member Reflections: Summer of Action

This summer, the Alliance led a local advocacy initiative from Memorial Day through Labor Day to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of international exchange programs on Americans and their communities. Summer of Action served as an opportunity for all Alliance member organizations and fellow exchange champions to show Members of Congress and their local offices the ways in which educational and cultural exchanges make their states and districts stronger. Nearly 20 Alliance members and partners engaged with 51 congressional offices in their states and districts, increasing awareness of international exchange programs throughout the U.S. 

Below are reflections from three Alliance members on their Summer of Action participation: 

Julie Ball, Director of Marketing and External Communications, AFS-USA
On July 8th, a dedicated group from AFS-USA including myself, my colleague Natalie Rehberger (YES program alum), and Chaitanya Dandekar (NSLI-Y program alum) met virtually with Maron Alemu, District Director at the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY08). Our mission was to spotlight the transformative power and profound community impact of exchange programs within New York. 

A great conversation ensued with Natalie and Chaitanya illustrating the lasting influence their exchange experiences have had on their lives and families. Natalie, who is now the Sponsored Programs Hosting Specialist at AFS-USA, described the lasting bonds she created with her host family in Indonesia and how her time abroad inspired the trajectory of her career. Chaitanya, who now volunteers for AFS-USA, hopes to inspire other students to go abroad and become global citizens. Maron engaged with thoughtful questions, demonstrating an interest in our programs and expressing a strong willingness to champion international exchange initiatives in the future. It is not every day that I get to express the passion I have for what I do at AFS-USA. I was proud to represent the international exchange community in this meeting and believe that through this type of advocacy, we are making the world a better place.

Kristin Friedman, Director of Program Services, AuPairCareThis summer, I had the opportunity to join three AuPairCare host families in engaging with several members of Congress during the Summer of Action in Maryland. On July 19, 2024, we met in person with Congressman John Sarbanes (MD) and his staff member, Hunter Craig, Casework and Field Representative. On July 30, 2024, we held a virtual meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) and his staff member, Sarah Schenning, Legislative Director.The host families shared their cultural exchange experiences, describing how seamlessly their au pairs have integrated into their families, celebrated traditions, and become active community members. They discussed how these exchanges have enriched their family’s lives and provided them with the flexibility to pursue their careers and new ventures. They also noted the childcare shortage surge is hurting working families and stressed the importance of the au pair program in providing reliable childcare. The families also talked about how moving to a new country can be both challenging and exciting for au pairs, offering them opportunities to learn new languages and adapt to different cultural norms, which enhances personal growth and global awareness. It was heartwarming to hear the genuine appreciation these host families have for the au pair program. They highlighted the economic benefits, such as reliable childcare for working families, and noted how international participants contribute to the local economy through spending on attractions, retail, food, entertainment, education, and travel. The host families also valued how the program brings diverse cultures into their homes, allowing their children to learn about the world and exposure in a multilingual home. With over 20 years of combined experience hosting au pairs, the families have built lasting relationships with former au pairs and understand the diplomatic benefits of cultural exchange programs, which promote diplomacy and reduce conflicts. I believe their heartfelt stories made a strong impression on the Congressman and staff and also provided me with direct advocates for future advocacy efforts.

Kali A. Wright, Program Coordinator, InterExchange - Camp USA
On July 26th Nicole Leonard, Field Director for NY-19 Rep. Marc Molinaro, visited Lions Camp Badger (LCB) to learn about Bridge USA participants and their impact on local communities. I am personally affiliated with NY-19 due to my 8-year history of working at Lions Camp Badger, a summer camp for people of all ages with disabilities. The congressional visit process began as a hallway meeting during the Alliance’s Advocacy Day with one of the Congressman’s DC staffers. As part of my pre-meeting research, I learned that Rep. Molinaro has an autistic daughter and is very active in disability services and advocacy. Based on my experience in special needs camping, I knew this was my foot in the door to introduce him to Bridge USA’s Camp Counselor program. I used this brief meeting to invite him to visit LCB and meet some InterExchange participants. Ms. Leonard met participants from Spain, Ireland, Mexico, Bolivia, and more, and asked them valuable questions about their experiences. Similarly, she spoke with the camp director who stressed that LCB could not function without the international counselor program. This was surprising to Nicole, and she expressed genuine curiosity to learn about the impact our programs have on local businesses. I truly believe Ms. Leonard left with significantly increased understanding and interest in our work, as well as the personal impact it has on communities. In our follow-up conversations she stressed how grateful she was to experience camp and learn about our programs that allow camp to flourish. Just like Advocacy Day, this was an inspirational reminder that not only is it a privilege to advocate for our programs and host communities, but also that it is our duty as experts in the field.We are grateful to all those who participated in this year’s Summer of Action. This initiative would not have been possible without your efforts and engagement. 

FY25 Appropriations: Lessons Learned and What’s Next

Members of Congress soon return to Washington and will then quickly run up to the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 on September 30. The House has passed less than half of its twelve appropriations bills, while the Senate has passed none, creating yet again a scenario where it is highly unlikely that any bills will be finalized ahead of the funding deadline. Instead, legislators will most likely focus on enacting a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending funding until a later date (likely post-election or even into early in 2025), but even this may prove difficult in what has been called the most unproductive Congress in recent history.

Given that we have slightly more than a week until lawmakers are back in session and the next chapter in the efforts to finalize FY25 funding unfolds, now is a good time to reflect on our work on behalf of exchange programs so far this year and the key lessons learned:

1. Budget constraints are a primary consideration in FY25 strategy.

At the beginning of the year, we faced many unknowns with FY24 funding not yet complete. While we were concerned with questions over the educational and cultural exchange (ECE) account and its funding level, we also had to wrangle with whether the government was on the verge of a shutdown and how a shutdown would impact our work. With Advocacy Day approaching in early March, there was no time to waste as Congress hammered out their differences. What we knew was that this cycle was going to be a difficult budget environment, so we aimed to be more tactical with our funding request for ECE programs in FY25. Working with our Appropriations Steering Committee and Working Group, we developed a request of $808.6 million (approx. 4% above FY23 enacted). This achieved our two goals of being reasonable enough to pass “the laugh test,” while also continuing to push for increased funding. We made a preemptive effort to strengthen this request through a survey of our federally funded members to demonstrate statistics of unmet demand. We also consulted with other associations who were facing similar challenges and turned to our close contacts on Capitol Hill for their feedback.

2. Bipartisan support cannot be taken for granted.

The FY24 enacted level whereby exchanges were cut by 4.7% was a good reminder that even noncontroversial programs are often affected by headwinds within the greater political environment. As we saw with the funding levels during the Obama-era sequestration battles, exchange programs are not immune to downward pressure on spending, despite their history of bipartisan support. To better insulate the ECE account from this pressure in FY25, we endeavored to communicate the value of these programs to congressional offices through as many opportunities as possible, especially those on the State-Foreign Operations appropriations subcommittees. Those touchpoints included:

• 129 Advocacy Day meetings on Capitol Hill

• 81 written appropriations requests

• Bipartisan House sign-on letter with 110 Representatives

• Senate sign-on letter with 36 Senators

• Written testimony for the House and Senate record

• 10 meetings with SFOPS offices, and Appropriations Working Group members

This work contributed in no small part to the funding levels provided in the House and Senate bills. On the House side, the SFOPS bill funded exchange programs at $720.9 million, a $20 million increase compared to last year’s bill. The Senate bill proposed $761 million for ECE funding, which is $20 million more than the current enacted level. Given the political environment, both outcomes set us up in a strategic position for the conference negotiations to come.

3. Collective action is the most effective tool against programmatic threats.

Coming into this cycle, we knew that the threat of cutting amendments like the Biggs amendment we rallied against in FY24 was still present, and perhaps even more likely given the general push to reduce spending. However, we were met with not one House amendment targeting exchanges funding, but three that were approved by the Rules Committee for floor consideration. These amendments included:

• one aiming to eliminate funding (introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL, 21));

• one proposing to reduce funding to FY19 levels (introduced by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK, 2)), and;

• one prohibiting funding for the ECA program (introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ, 9)).

In response, we swiftly mobilized our entire membership and the larger international exchange community to oppose these amendments. In less than 48 hours, our community did the following:

• Sent 2,456 grassroots letters to 391 Representatives

• Direct outreach to more than 260 House offices

• Engaged Alliance member networks around the country

• Collaborated with lobbyist partners to reinforce our message

We also gained vocal support from Members of Congress on behalf of these programs on the House floor. Ranking Member of the State-Foreign Operations subcommittee, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA, 12) reaffirmed the significant value of exchanges while opposing the amendments: “These programs foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and of other countries and promote peace and understanding. Lord knows we need this. They allow us to promote our values of democracy, freedom of the press and civic participation as well as promote dialogue, collaboration and the sharing of diverse perspectives especially for the cultivation of the next generation of global leaders.”

Collectively, we were able to defeat these amendments with strong bipartisan support: the Mast amendment was withdrawn the night before floor votes; the Brecheen amendment was voted down 246-164 on the House floor; and the Gosar amendment was also voted down 254-156 on the House floor as well. This success continues to demonstrate how capable and strong our advocacy is when we work together.

We are grateful to all of you who have helped us in this work. Mark Rebstock, Vice President, Deputy Director of Meridian Center for Global Leadership at Meridian International Center and member of the Appropriations Steering Committee, reflected on his meetings with congressional staff as follows: “These moments always remind me that the power of exchange programs is felt by many and that the personal connections to exchange run deep.”

Our efforts over the past eight months put us in a strong position to tackle the new and ongoing funding challenges facing our community. As we approach the upcoming November elections, our team will provide more opportunities for you and your organizations to take action and communicate the value of exchange programs to your colleagues, leadership, partners, and broader networks.

FY25 Senate State-Foreign Operations Bill Provides Strong Response to Global Challenges

The Alliance for International Exchange thanks the Senate Appropriations Committee for demonstrating its bipartisan support of Department of State educational and cultural exchanges by allocating a 2.7% funding increase over the FY24 enacted level in its recently approved FY25 State-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) bill.

We believe that Congress’ continued robust investment in international exchange programs is critical in combatting rising global challenges. Exchanges are one of the most cost-effective uses of taxpayer dollars in the federal budget and have immeasurable benefits on our long-term national security and foreign policy goals by fostering people-to-people connections worldwide.

We recognize the constraints of this difficult budget climate, including current spending caps, and know that any increase at this time is no small feat. Especially in light of FY24’s 4.7% cut, we are grateful for this step forward and hope that it will be upheld in conference negotiations, along with the inclusion of the Department of State BridgeUSA program provision present in both the House and Senate bills.

We urge Congress to continue its longstanding bipartisan support by fully funding the educational and cultural exchange account in FY25. As the appropriations process progresses, we look forward to our continued engagement with policymakers on behalf of Department of State international exchange programs.

Summer of Action 2024: Midpoint Highlights and Reflections

It’s hard to believe that August is nearly here, and with it, the last push for Summer of Action! As we enter the final month of this new initiative, I find it helpful to take stock of the work we have done so far to drive us forward in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Alliance members and their network partners, we have commitments for engagement with 48 Members of Congress in their states or districts around the country. These efforts spearheaded by 16 community lead organizations in more than 20 states showcase the breadth and depth of the international exchange community, while also building awareness and fostering connections with policymakers whose constituencies directly benefit from these programs and their impact.

Please see below three fantastic examples of recent Summer of Action activities:

• Staff from Sen. Susan Collins (D-ME) joined 55 Work and Travel participants for a Cultural Homestay International J-1 Welcome Orientation in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

• The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosted Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for a moderated conversation on the outcomes of the 2024 NATO summit.

• AuPairCare staff and three Maryland au pair host families met with staff from Rep. John Sarbanes' (D-MD, 3) office in Columbia.

Local advocacy is a critical component of the Alliance's work. This is especially true as threats to exchange programs continue to emerge, most recently with last month’s House amendments. Building relationships with local communities and congressional staff through efforts like Summer of Action helps to reinforce the our work in DC and ensures these threats are handily defeated with bipartisan support.

If you are interested in participating in Summer of Action and have not already committed, there is still time to get involved! Check out our list of key communities to see if there are areas where your organization would like to lead a Summer of Action effort ahead of Labor Day. Members of Congress in communities where we don’t yet have a lead organization include Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA, 14), among others. For more general information on Summer of Action, please visit our website page or reach out to me at abodine@alliance-exchange.org.

5 Reasons to Register for the 2024 Annual Conference

Five Reasons You Should Attend the 2024 Alliance Annual Conference

The Alliance Annual Conference is a unique opportunity for professionals from across the international education and cultural exchange sector to connect with and learn from peers and featured speakers. Here are just five of the reasons why you should attend this year’s conference:

1. Engage directly with Department of State senior leadership: Senior leaders from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Consular Affairs will be present throughout the conference, providing remarks and networking with attendees.

2. Hear from critical thought leaders: Featured speakers at this year’s conference will include former Congressman Charles Dent (House Appropriations Committee), who now serves as the Executive Director and Vice President of the Congressional Program at the Aspen Institute.

3. Grow in your work: Concurrent breakout sessions will enable attendees to bring tips and tools back to their organizations and work on a wide variety of topics.

4. Feel prepared going into the 2024 Presidential and Congressional elections: Plenary panels will feature valuable insights into the political landscape leading up to and post election, as well as provide attendees with the tools necessary to take action.

5. Connect with passionate exchange professionals like yourself: One of the best things about the Annual Conference is the incredibly knowledgeable, driven, and forward-thinking exchange leaders and professionals who attend! Ample networking opportunities allow attendees to build their networks and learn from their peers.

Register by September 16 to secure your spot!

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 Monday, August 12.

McCarry Leadership Awardees receive and commit to:

• Complimentary registration to the Alliance Annual Conference

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

• Complimentary admission to Advocacy Day 2025

• 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.

Celebrate Exchange Day on August 5!

On Monday, August 5, 2024, join the Alliance and the broader international education and cultural exchange community in celebrating Exchange Day! Exchange Day is a worldwide celebration of the power of international exchange. International exchange participants, community stakeholders, and program implementers share their cultures and American customs, to give back to their communities, and to have some fun. Exchange Day is also an opportunity to raise awareness of international exchange programs and spread the word about the power and breadth of cultural exchange.

Visit https://exchangeday2024.weebly.com/ to learn how you can celebrate Exchange Day. Already have an event planned? Submit it here!

Advocacy Update: Amendments threatening exchanges defeated

On Thursday, June 20, 2024, lawmakers introduced three amendments to the FY25 House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) funding bill that threatened to cut funding and programming for educational and cultural exchanges (ECE).  

In response, the Alliance sent letters to the House Committee on Rules on behalf of the Alliance membership and BridgeUSA Coalition, and reached out directly to 260 House offices, encouraging Representatives to vote no on the amendments and make statements on the House floor in support of exchanges. Both Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA, 12) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY, 5) made statements against the amendments and in support of exchanges. 

The Alliance also organized a grassroots letter campaign, sending 2,456 letters to 391 Representatives encouraging them to vote against the amendments and support educational and cultural exchanges.

Thanks to the exchange community's rapid response and outreach, all three FY25 House SFOPS funding bill amendments that threatened the future of educational and cultural exchanges were defeated. 

• Amendment 38 (#158) introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL, 21), which would have eliminated Department of State exchange program funding, was withdrawn the night of Wednesday, June 26, 2024. 

• Amendment 1 (#83) introduced by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK, 2), which would have reduced funding for exchanges by $20 million, to FY19 levels, was voted down 246-164 on the House floor the morning of Thursday, June 27, 2024. 

• Amendment 13 (#15) introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ, 9) which would have prohibited funding for the TechCamp program, was voted down 254-156 on the House floor the morning of Thursday, June 27, 2024. 

Action Alert: Write your House Representative TODAY to oppose amendments eliminating funding for exchanges

This is a call to action regarding a number of amendments to the House’s Department of State funding bill that eliminate funding for DOS educational and cultural exchange programs. Amendment 38 (#158) submitted by Rep. Mast (R-FL, 21) threatens to eliminate all funding for these DOS exchange programs, similar to last fall's proposed amendment from Rep. Andy Biggs. Amendment 1 (#83) and Amendment 13 (#15), introduced by Rep. Brecheen (R-OK, 2) and Rep. Gosar (R-AZ, 9), also seek to cut funding for DOS exchanges in various ways.

This issue is extremely urgent, as these amendments to the House’s DOS funding bill could be voted on the House floor as early as tomorrow, Wednesday, June 26. Ask your Representative to oppose these amendments by sending a letter RIGHT NOW!

Exchanges Funding Cut in House FY25 State-Foreign Operations Bill Hinders American Foreign Policy Goals

The Alliance and our members are very concerned about the proposed 2.7% cut to educational and cultural exchanges in the House bill advanced by the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this week. If enacted, this would further compound the constraints on programming as a result of the 4.7% cut in the enacted FY24 bill.

At a time when the United States is facing significant and increased global challenges, further reducing funding for these programs that foster strong people-to-people connections is detrimental to our foreign policy goals, both in the short and long-term.

We understand that House appropriators are facing a particularly tough budget environment that requires them to make difficult decisions. However, as other countries around the world are increasing their investment in people-to-people exchanges, we feel it would be a missed opportunity to decrease funding for Department of State programs that are critical to sharing American values worldwide.

The Alliance appreciates the continued inclusion of the Department of State BridgeUSA program provision in the House bill and urges Congress to extend that longstanding bipartisan support to fully funding the educational and cultural exchange account. We look forward to our ongoing bipartisan engagement in both chambers in support of a robust appropriation for these programs.

Bringing Life to Foreign Policy: Summer Work Travel and Camp Counselor Program Impact Webinar

What do a water park in Wildwood, New Jersey and a summer camp in Wilmot, New Hampshire have in common? They both engage with and benefit from educational and cultural exchange programs!

On April 17, the Alliance hosted a webinar for the Summer Work Travel and Camp Counselor network focused on actionable strategies to enhance awareness and understanding of the benefits of these programs in local communities nationwide.

We are grateful to all those who were able to join the webinar. A recording of the conversation can be accessed here.

Special thanks to:

• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Rebecca Pasini for her featured remarks

• Jonas Arjes, Executive Vice President/Chief Economic Development Officer for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce; Denise Beckson, Vice President and Officer at Morey's Piers; Scott Brody, Owner and Director, Camps Kenwood and Evergreen and Board Member, American Camp Association; Mike Snider, Mayor of the City of Port Clinton, Ohio for participating in the panel discussion

• Tanya Burovtseva, Director, External Engagement at InterExchange and Tracy Taylor, Government Relations Counsel at Alignment Government Strategies for their partnership in planning the webinar

Announcing new local advocacy initiative: Summer of Action

In the lead up to the November presidential and congressional elections, it is critical for the international exchange community and its partners to engage in advocacy at the local level in communities across the U.S. Exchange programs make significant economic and social contributions to states, cities, and towns across the country, and communicating these contributions to elected officials is critical to ensuring program sustainability and longevity.

Summer of Action is an Alliance-led initiative from Memorial Day through Labor Day to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of international exchange programs on Americans and their local communities.

Throughout the summer, Alliance members, supporters, and partners will be responsible for spreading #ExchangesImpact organizing a meeting with a Member of Congress' district office or inviting them to attend an event with exchange participants and stakeholders.

We encourage all advocates for exchange programs to join us in sharing the impact of these programs on Americans and the communities they live in by taking to social media and sharing participant stories and impact data using the hashtags #ExchangesStartHere #StrongerCommunties #GlobalConnections.

Please contact Senior Manager for Policy and Government Relations Andrea Bodine at abodine@alliance-exchange.org with any Summer of Action questions.