International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

Click here to view the list of IEW events for 2015 and also to share events in your community! 

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Key Data Highlights

• The number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities had the highest rate of growth in 35 years, increasing by ten percent to a record high of 974,926 students in the 2014-2015 academic year.  
• Students from the top three countries of origin – China, India, and South Korea – now represent approximately 51 percent of the total enrollment of international students in the United States.
• India’s growth outpaced China’s this year, with students from India increasing by 29.4 percent to a record high of 132,888. This is the highest rate of growth for Indian students in the history of the Open Doors project, which spans back to 1954-1955. Students from China are still the largest group of international students in the United States, with more than 304,000 students enrolled in U.S. higher education.
• Student mobility between the United States and Latin America is up in both directions.
• The number of U.S. students studying abroad increased by five percent in 2013-2014, the highest rate of growth since before the 2008 economic downturn.   

The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange print publication, which will contain additional data tables and analysis, will be published in early February 2016 and is available for pre-order now. 

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The IIE AIFS Foundation Generation Study Abroad Enrichment Grants Program recognizes U.S. secondary level teachers (grades 6-12) who have shown to be outstanding advocates for study abroad. The program is a professional development opportunity for those teachers who have taken the Generation Study Abroad pledge and taken innovative actions in preparing their students for global citizenship and study abroad. Fifty (50) enrichment grants of $1,000 each are available to secondary school teachers and administrators to conduct any learning activity in the U.S. or abroad that enhances their international outlook and global experience. 

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Education provides grants to K-12 and post-secondary educators and administrators to study and travel abroad?

The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program provides short-term seminars abroad for U.S. educators in the social sciences and humanities to improve their understanding and knowledge of the peoples and cultures of other countries. The program offers educational lectures and activities specifically designed for the group, including visits to local schools and organizations, meetings with educators and students, visits to cultural sites. Participants draw on their experiences during the program to create new, cross-cultural curricula for their classrooms and school systems back in the U.S. 

In 2016, summer programs will be offered to Peru, India, and Senegal. The program covers airfare, lodging, and program costs. Participants should be prepared to pay a cost-share of up to $600.

Submission deadline: January 13, 2016 | Submission Guidelines | Submit a Proposal

The 2016 ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) will be held November 18-20, 2016 with pre-convention workshops on Thursday, November 17, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The ACTFL Convention features more than 700 educational sessions covering the whole spectrum of the language profession.

The entire selection process is designed to provide attendees with an exciting array of sessions and events to further knowledge and skills to become better, well-informed teachers and administrators. We welcome language educators at all levels and of all languages to submit a proposal!

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Submission deadline: March 15, 2016 | Application Information

The American Foreign Service Association’s (AFSA) National High School Essay Contest, now in its 18th year, encourages students to think critically and write a research paper about building peace through diplomacy. New this year is the partnership between AFSA and the United States Institute of Peace, through which we will be offering this year’s contest winners exciting opportunities. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Semester at Sea and the National Student Leadership Conference, offering full scholarships to their programs.

The 2015-2016 contest theme, 'Building Peace through Diplomacy,' challenges students to identify a current threat to U.S. interests abroad and to research and present options via which Foreign Service officers might respond. 

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Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has sent over 1300 teachers abroad on adventurous travel programs. With GEEO, educators can earn professional development credits while seeing the world. GEEO's trips are 7 to 21 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. GEEO also provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators, administrators, retired educators, as well as educators’ guests.

GEEO is offering the following travel programs for 2016: Bali/Lombok, Bangkok to Hanoi, China, Costa Rica, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India/Nepal, Southern India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Peruvian Amazon, Peruvian Andes, Portugal/Spain, Heart of the Silk Road, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Vietnam/Cambodia, Western Balkans, Peru (Winter Break), Israel (Spring Break), Moorish Spain (Spring Break), and Morocco (Spring Break).

The registration deadline is June 1, 2016 but space is limited and many programs will be full well before the deadline. Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found on the website.

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An Alliance for Excellent Education Webinar from 2:00-2:30 PM EST

A Partners in 21st Century Learning Webinar from 4:00-5:00 PM EST

An Alliance for Excellent Education Webinar from 2:00-2:30 PM EST