U.S. Department of State Celebrates International Education Week 2013

As it has in past years, the State Department will recognize International Education Week, the annual worldwide celebration of the value of international education and exchange, starting November 12, 2013.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is coordinating a number of events that should be of interest to parents and students throughout the week. Most of them focus on the vital role international education plays in diplomacy and foreign policy.  As many readers know, Family Travel Forum has long been active in promoting student travels, and we are proud of the many student blogs we  host about international educational vacations.

On November 12, the annual 2013 Open Doors Report from the Institute of International Education will be presented, to provide current data and outlines trends in international education.

The same day, Assistant Secretary Ryan will honor the presidents of the eight U.S. colleges and universities chosen as winners of NAFSA’s 2013 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.

If you have an international student staying with you, or just know of one, they can learn more about U.S. education options on November 13.  The U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA network, in partnership with CollegeWeekLive, will host an International Students Day with a virtual college fair for international students.

This free online event promotes U.S. higher education institutions and answers questions about U.S. universities’ admissions processes, program information, and student life in the United States. Use the link for more information about the EducationUSA International Virtual College Fair.

On November 14, Assistant Secretary Ryan will host a Google+ Hangout on international education at 10:30 a.m. EST. This conversation with current U.S. and foreign exchange students will broadcast live on the Department of State’s YouTube channel and Google+ page. Questions can be submitted in advance via Twitter to @ECA_AS by using #IEW2013.

First held in 2000, International Education Week is now celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of State.

International study and work connects students and scholars, enabling them to collaborate and tackle today’s foremost global challenges, and gain the knowledge, skills, and self-reliance that are needed to compete in the globalized economy of the 21st century.

Throughout the week, students, educators, and citizens will be celebrating in classrooms, on campuses, and in communities worldwide. You can find a variety of local events here.