Dear Erica,
Taking a break from our usual programming on international education policy twists and turns to instead celebrate the strength of our community and resolve this International Education Week (IEW)! With Thanksgiving almost upon us, allow me to add that we have much to be grateful for. As usual, NAFSA executive director and CEO, Fanta Aw said it best. Read her blog post to be reminded of just how proud we should be to do the work of opening dialogue, minds, and hearts across political divides, borders, cultures, and languages. Her sentiment is especially poignant when you consider that this is the 25th anniversary of International Education Week, an annual tradition started in 2000 by the U.S. Secretaries of State and Education, thanks to advocacy by NAFSA and our partners across the field. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said this in a letter to NAFSA on our 70th anniversary:
“When we open our doors, our academic institutions, and our minds to different cultures and ideas, we learn to recognize commonalities where once there were only differences, and we establish respect where once there was only fear. This mutual understanding is what makes international education an effective incubator for creating long-lasting global alliances.”
We are pleased to help elevate the tremendous work of the field and invite you to join us! Check out the many virtual happenings and resources being featured next week, beginning on Monday with the release of new data by NAFSA and JB International detailing the economic contributions of international students to local economies this fall and during the last academic year. Bookmark nafsa.org/econvalue to access the full analysis and explore the data by state and congressional district. We’ll have an easy way for you to share this update with your members of Congress to ensure they recognize the important role they have to play in ensuring international students’ rich and varied contributions to U.S. classrooms, communities, and economies continue. Be sure to tune into our LinkedIn Live event on Wednesday, November 19th at 11:30 am ET for a discussion of the full findings and policy solutions from experts at NAFSA, JB International and IIE.
NAFSA, AIEA, the Forum on Education Abroad and others have collaborated on an IEW social media toolkit to make participating in the celebration simple. Be sure to share why you are proud to #ChampionIE this #IEW2025 and tag NAFSA so we may amplify.
And of course, we’re relieved that the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has come to an end. After 43 days, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law a package that extends funding for most agencies until January 30, 2026, and includes three bills that fund the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs along with legislative operations through September 2026.
Thank you for reading. And see in you in the reg. line for NAFSA Advocacy Day 2026 on Monday. :)
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
