In a few short days, the global international education community will gather Orlando, Florida for the 2026 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo. To get some insider perspective on the Sunshine State, we asked members of the 2026 Local Arrangements Team—all Orlando residents—to answer a few questions about what makes Florida special for international educators. Read on for their takes on what to expect, what to explore, and what to listen to while you're here.
NAFSA thanks LAT members Giselda Beaudin, Mona Belakbir, Thora Cecil, Lauren McLellan, Rachel Hendrix, Rosie Nelson, and Sophia Zaldivar for contributing to this post.
NAFSA is coming to Florida! What are you most excited about?
“I’m excited about NAFSAns coming to Orlando because this is a place where international education is lived daily, not just taught. Our neighborhoods, languages, food, music, and communities reflect global connections in tangible ways, and visitors will experience a Florida that is vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted in cultural exchange. Orlando is a crossroads where people from around the world build lives, share stories, and create belonging.” —Mona Belakbir, Valencia College
“Like most places, [Florida is] much more complex than it appears. Living here has forced me to get out of my own ideological bubble!” —Giselda Beaudin, Rollins College
“There is nothing quite like a warm welcome with a little Florida Southern hospitality to match. Plus, the Florida sunshine just hits differently!” —Rachel Hendrix, University of West Florida
“I’m excited about NAFSAns coming to Orlando/Florida because it’s a global crossroads. Beyond the parks, our Mills 50 and International Drive districts represent a massive tapestry of international cultures, languages, and cuisines that will make every educator feel right at home.” —Sophia Zaldivar, University of Central Florida
“Lots to explore and enjoy, with hidden treasure spots around town and neighboring cities. The weather for those who are leaving cooler climates and want a tropical feel without leaving the country!” —Thora Cecil, University of South Florida
What should NAFSAns know about international education in Florida?
“We remain committed to our work and are good at finding creative solutions (and wording!)” —Giselda Beaudin
“International education here is not peripheral. It is deeply rooted in local communities. Central Florida alone is home to multiple cultural hubs: Little Vietnam along Mills 50, a growing Chinatown near Pine Hills, I‑Drive’s ‘Little Brazil,’ long-established West Indian and Caribbean enclaves in West Orlando, and Kissimmee affectionately known as ‘Bayassimmee,’ reflecting its strong Puerto Rican influence. These communities shape how students experience education, belonging, and mobility. International education in Florida thrives not only through institutions but through neighborhoods, small businesses, heritage languages, and transnational families. Even amid efforts to narrow how Florida is portrayed, the lived reality is one of cultural plurality, resilience, and global interconnectedness. For international educators, Florida offers a powerful reminder that access, inclusion, and exchange are sustained as much by community ecosystems as by policy frameworks.” —Mona Belakbir
“Central Florida international education is a true community. We all work together, develop partnerships, and transfer pathways. Our colleges offer programs to compliment what is missing in the local community and support other institution's programs instead of competing.” —Lauren McLellan, Educational Credential Evaluators
“Florida is a global hub of the country - a place where cultures, languages, and perspectives from around the world come together - and not just at Epcot!” —Rachel Hendrix
“The international education community in Florida is a massive economic and academic driver, characterized by deep institutional networks and a significant global student population.
- As of the 2025–26 academic year, Florida hosts over 46,000 international students, ranking 7th in the U.S. for total enrollment.
- Economic Impact: International students contribute an estimated $1.48 billion to Florida's economy. In terms of workforce, every three international students are estimated to support one U.S. job within the state.
- Top Sending Countries: The primary places of origin for students in Florida are India (21.9%), China (8.3%), Brazil (6.2%), and Colombia (4.1%).
- Academic Hubs: Major host institutions include the University of South Florida (USF), which often leads in international student concentration, followed by the University of Florida (UF), Florida International University (FIU), and the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando.
- STEM Focus: More than half (57%) of international students in Florida pursue STEM fields, particularly Math, Computer Science, and Engineering.
- Diplomatic Presence: The Orlando region is home to 20 consulate offices and more than 20 international chambers of commerce, such as the Central Florida International Chamber of Commerce.
- Global Support Systems: Organizations like UCF Global serve as central hubs for international mobility, while state-level groups like SelectFlorida lead international commerce and foreign investment efforts.
- Study Abroad Trends: Florida is also a top destination for outbound study, with approximately 13,811 Florida-based students studying abroad, primarily choosing Italy, Spain, and the UK.” —Sophia Zaldivar
“It is one of the most globally connected states that encompasses Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, which lends to a good mix of degree-seeking and exchange students. There is so much diversity when advising the international student population. We have a collaborative community among our educators, immigration advisors, and our policy awareness is high.” —Thora Cecil
Can you sell us on Orlando using only haiku?
“Sunshine, springs / coastlines and stories / worth taking home” —Rosie Nelson, Eckerd College
“City Beautiful / Palms sway above still lakes / Warm light slows the day” —Mona Belakbir
“Lakes reflect the sun / Brick-lined streets and hidden springs / Real magic lives here” —Sophia Zaldivar
“Lakes shine under skies / Sunlit oaks dripping with moss / An urban secret” —Giselda Beaudin
“Orlando surprises / Warm springs, beautiful skies / and culture beyond theme parks” —Thora Cecil
“PubSubs on the shore / Wild monkeys, gators, deer / Velocicoaster” —Lauren McLellan
The NAFSA 2026 Florida soundtrack
No trip to the Sunshine State is complete without the right music. Here's the LAT's playlist for your flight down, your morning walk around Lake Eola, or wherever the conference takes you.
Florida classics:
- "Margaritaville" – Jimmy Buffett (the quintessential Florida anthem)
- "American Girl" – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Gainesville native; perfect for a road trip down I-4)
- "Conga" – Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine (representing Florida's deep Latin roots)
- "I Want It That Way" – Backstreet Boys (a nod to Orlando's legacy as the birthplace of the '90s boy band era—the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC both lived and rehearsed here)
- "Kokomo" – The Beach Boys
- "Seminole Wind" – John Anderson (a haunting anthem about the Everglades and Florida's deep history)
- "Mainline Florida" – Eric Clapton (from his 461 Ocean Boulevard album, recorded in the Sunshine State)
Modern Florida:
- "3 Nights" – Dominic Fike (Naples, FL native)
- "Walking on Sunshine" – Katrina & The Waves
- "The Florida Song" – Ricky Sylvia
For the Latin music lovers:
- "Hotel Room Service," "Time of Our Lives," "Fireball," "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" – Pitbull
- "Temperature," "Get Busy," "Like Glue," "No Lie" – Sean Paul
- "I'm Sprung," "Bartender," "Buy U a Drank," "Good Life" – T-Pain
For the eclectic listener: Try anything from reggae to Latin, hip-hop, or mellow jazzy vibes—Bob Marley, Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony, Flo Rida, DJ Khaled—or slow it down with Norah Jones, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Sade.
For your conference commute:
- "Lovely Day" – Bill Withers
- "Sunroof" – Nicky Youre and dazy