13 November 2007

Facts on International Education Week

Outlines opportunities, benefits of international study, exchange programs

(begin fact sheet)

U.S. Department of State
And U.S. Department of Education
November 13-17, 2007

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK FACT SHEET

• International Education Week (IEW) was first held in 2000 and today, is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. The Departments of State and Education initiated IEW as part of their efforts to move ahead on the issue of implementing U.S. international education policy.

• IEW is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint annual initiative is part of an effort to promote international understanding and build support for international educational exchange, as well as encourage the development of programs that prepare Americans to live and work in a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study in the United States.

• Exchanges are critical in developing mutual understanding and respect, building leadership abroad, fostering an appreciation for the U.S., and investing in the future relationship between Americans and citizens around the world.

• International education prepares U.S. citizens to live, work, and compete in the global economy.

• More than 565,000 international students from over 200 countries study in the U.S. each year.

• International education is also a vital service industry, bringing more than $13 billion into our country annually.

• 88% of American college students believe international education will give them a competitive advantage in the workplace.

• Almost 90% of American college students believe having international students on campus enriches their own learning experience.

• The more than 32,500 students, scholars and other exchange participants that the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs supports are in the vanguard of the hundreds of thousands of students and scholars who come to the U.S. each year and the 191,000 Americans who study abroad.

• International cooperation on education contributes to education reform and education solutions for the U.S. and for our partner nations.

(end fact sheet)