There are more people crossing borders to pursue education—and human connection—than ever before (Project Atlas, Open Doors). International education can unlock not only opportunities but also friendships that last a lifetime. As part of IIE’s celebration of International Education Week (IEW) 2024, we affirm the transformative power of Embracing Connection. By learning from and alongside people who have different life experiences, people can develop open minds and work together to solve global problems.
In addition, 2024 marks the 75th year of the Open Doors® Report on International Educational Exchange, the premier information resource on international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit. To our fellow data task force members—the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, AACRAO, NAFSA—and U.S. colleges and universities who first saw the value of collecting this information, we say thank you and congratulations on your visionary commitment.
To celebrate this milestone as well as IEW, we are highlighting the many benefits of international education, especially the friendships and partnerships that are cultivated through it. Stay tuned throughout the week of November 18 – 22 for a number of exciting new announcements and share your stories about how you’re embracing connection using #IEW2024.
It all starts on Monday, November 18! At 9:30 a.m. EST, leaders from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and IIE’s Research, Learning, and Evaluation (REL) department will lead a virtual briefing to unveil new data from Open Doors®. The report will include details such as the total number of international students in the U.S., international students’ top countries of origin, the proportion of U.S. students opting to study abroad, and the lengths of study abroad among U.S. students during the 2023/24 and 2022/23 academic years, respectively.
Tuesday, learn about the latest advancements at the IIE Center for Access and Equity, including three exciting partnerships and activities coming in the next year. For professionals and other advocates seeking to expand access to international education for all, we’d like to remind you about free resources from the Center: Supporting First-Generation College Students in International Education Resource Guide; Models of Change: Equity and Inclusion in Action; and the IIE American Passport Project, which provides grants for U.S. colleges and universities in the IIENetwork to assist Pell-eligible students with obtaining a U.S. passport. Advocates also regularly reference Open Doors data when seeking information about U.S. students’ access to study abroad. Finally, we are pleased to work with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs to unveil new video tips about safely and efficiently traveling with a U.S. passport; stay tuned to IIEGlobal on Instagram!
On Wednesday, IIE will announce the inaugural members of the new Global Community for Women’s Leadership (GCWL). Designed to build a robust, international network of ascendant and established women leaders and their allies, IIE’s GCWL aims to help achieve gender parity in leadership worldwide. This remarkable group represents all world regions, more than 20 fields and industries, and comes from some of the most prestigious programs administered by IIE. We can’t wait for you to meet the first GCWL members.
On Friday, we want to hear from YOU. How did you celebrate the week? IIE will share looks from behind the scenes of our busy week and information you might have missed from the busy schedule outlined in this blog. Bookmark IIE’s Latest News and Opening Minds Blog, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and X to ensure you don’t miss a moment. We look forward to celebrating international education together!