American Public: International Education is Key to Preparing Next Generation

WASHINGTON, January 11, 2006 – Americans in overwhelming numbers believe that international education is a key to preparing their children for success in the global age. They believe that foreign language skills will make their children more competitive in the job market, and they feel it is important for the next generation to have the opportunity to study abroad and to interact with students from other countries while in college.

These are the findings of a new national survey commissioned by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which polled more than 1,000 adults representing a broad cross-section of the American public during the first week of December 2005.

Among the highlights of Americans’ attitudes toward international education:

• 90% believe it is “important” or “very important” to prepare future generations of Americans for a global society;
  
• 92% agree that knowledge of other languages will give future generations a competitive advantage in career opportunities;
  
• 77% feel it is important for future generations to participate in study abroad programs in college;
  
• 86% believe it is important for their children and grandchildren to attend a college where they can interact with and get to know students from other countries;
  
• 94% feel it is important for future generations to have knowledge of other countries and cultures.

Past surveys have confirmed that Americans value international education. This latest survey reveals a dramatic public consensus about its perceived importance. The consistency of responses across demographic lines is especially striking. Irrespective of age, gender, race, geographic region, household income, or level of education, Americans are remarkably strong in their conviction that international education programs and preparedness for a global society are important.

“These data reflect what we believe is a strong call for leadership, on the part of both government and the higher education community,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene Johnson. “Given the high level of public support for international education, the climate is ripe for decisive action to ensure that the next generation of American leaders is well-equipped to succeed in a competitive global environment, and that the United States can be a world leader in educational and scholarly exchange.”

NAFSA calls upon government and higher education, working in close partnership, to take advantage of this year’s designation as the “Year of Study Abroad” to establish a national program that will ensure that study abroad becomes the norm in U.S. higher education (today just one percent of American college students ever study abroad). The program should be designed to make study abroad accessible to today's diverse student body, including community-college students, low-income students, students at minority-serving institutions, and students who study part-time and work full-time to support families. It should also promote more study abroad in developing countries. At the same time, we call upon the State Department to lead government and higher education in designing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that will restore America’s status as a magnet for international students and scholars.

Action on these two critical fronts will go a long way toward responding to the American public’s call to ensure that the country is well-prepared for the global challenges of an increasingly competitive and interconnected world.

To review the full survey report, access http://www.nafsa.org/nationalsurvey