By Oluchi Omai
November 18, 2024 – The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the Department of Education, has kicked off International Education Week (IEW), running from November 18 to 22. This annual event highlights the benefits of international educational exchange for students, families, and communities both in the U.S. and around the world. This year’s theme, “Explore,” encourages everyone to look into international education opportunities that provide valuable skills and knowledge.
To launch IEW, the Department of State, along with the Institute of International Education (IIE), released the annual Open Doors Report. This report, now in its 75th year, shows that a record number of more than 1.12 million international students attended U.S. colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year. This milestone reflects Secretary Blinken’s dedication to making the U.S. the top choice for international study. Additionally, international students have significantly boosted the U.S. economy, contributing over $50 billion in 2023, according to the Department of Commerce.
Throughout the week, the Department of State will emphasize important aspects of international education, such as the #StudyWithUS campaign aimed at attracting international students to study in the U.S., opportunities for U.S. citizens to learn foreign languages, and English language programs for international students. They will also showcase alumni of educational exchange programs who have positively impacted their communities and countries.
As part of IEW activities, about 1,700 high school students from the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) programs will share their cultures and experiences with schools and communities across the U.S. Last year, these programs saw nearly 6,100 presentations, reaching over 110,000 Americans.