Dear Unnamed,
In the news-you-can-use category, I’m delighted to share new research that reinforces the career benefits of study abroad. The Forum on Education Abroad recently published the results of its survey of 8,000 education abroad alumni, which reveal that 90 percent of current students and 94 percent of graduates say that education abroad helped them build job skills, such as adaptability, navigating difference, and creative problem solving. The report, “Global Learning for a Competitive Workforce” finds that more than half of respondents reported their study abroad experience had a very or extremely important influence on their career path, with similar numbers saying it helped them secure their first job after graduation. This complements a recent study by the Forum, “International Experience as a Career Asset: Exploring the Earnings Impact of Education Abroad Participation.” Their research found that business-school graduates who studied overseas earned more than $4,000 more than their classmates who did not, a gain of 6.3 percent.
This research underscores the potential harm of the current administration’s retreat from long-standing and congressionally authorized federal international education and exchange programs. The Education Department’s Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs and the educational and cultural exchange programs at Department of State have, to varying degrees this year, suffered from funding cuts, withheld funds, and staffing layoffs. Note that, in addition to the letter led by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in support of funding for State Department programs, key Democratic leaders in the House and Senate—namely Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03)—voiced their opposition to the Education department’s plans to “unilaterally eliminate and significantly cut several programs.” This message was also reinforced in a September 29 letter addressed to the Department of Education led by the Coalition for International Exchange, of which NAFSA is a member.
IDP Education released the latest iteration of its Emerging Futures, Voice of the International Student research. It captured the views of more than 7,900 international students from 134 countries and regions and found, among other things, that policy shifts are having an impact on student destination choices. As NAFSA CEO Dr. Fanta Aw commented in the press release, “The survey finding is a wake-up call: policy uncertainty has real human and economic costs. We want to work with institutions and policymakers to bring clarity and stability to the system—to define what the U.S. promise is to international students, and to ensure that the return on their investment matches their aspirations.”
In other news, NAFSA joined more than 30 other organizations in signing a October 17 statement by the American Council on Education opposing the administration’s higher education compact. The statement says in part, “The compact is just the kind of excessive federal overreach and regulation, to the detriment of state and local input and control, that this administration says it is against.”
Regarding H-1B visa changes, another lawsuit has been filed to against the September 19 proclamation establishing a $100,000 H-1B visa fee, this time by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. NAFSA joined American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in requesting an extension of the 30-day comment period for the H-1B weighted lottery rule. AILA also has a customizable comment letter template for individuals or institutions to comment on the proposal itself before the October 24 deadline.
The government shutdown continues. Day 17. Enough said.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Save the Date! NAFSA Advocacy Day 2026 will be held on March 18 and it will be fully virtual! We are rotating to a virtual format next year to ensure the widest swath of international educators are able to participate. Circle the date on your calendar, spread the word, and look for registration to open next month!
Join Dr. Aw for the October 23 IE30 live discussion on LinkedIn, “The State of Play: What 290 Days Reveal About U.S. Policies, Economy, and International Education.” Expect a dynamic discussion with leading voices from policy, economics, and international education arenas to take stock of where we are—and what lies ahead.
Encourage your institution to participate in the Global Enrollment Benchmark Survey, created by NAFSA, Studyportals, and Oxford Test of English, before it closes on October 24.
Register for the October 28 Peer to Peer Perspective, “From Congress to Campus: Effective Advocacy Tactics in International Education” to explore effective "Big A advocacy,” which focuses on government and policy-level initiatives, and "small A advocacy” which highlights localized efforts within institutions and communities.
That’s a wrap for this week. Be well.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
