NAFSA Blog

The Great Budget Debate of 2011 Setting a Course for a Competitive, Prosperous FutureOne of our country’s periodic “great debates” is in full swing. This one constitutes an early round in the national conversation that we need to have about

The Way Forward Panel Discusses Next Steps for Fostering U.S. Cuba EngagementEarlier this week I attended an event at the Brookings Institution called “U.S. Cuba Relations Moving Policy forward in 2011 and Beyond,” that was organized in light of the

Getting It Right The Need for a National Dialogue on Comprehensive InternationalizationThere have been some interesting discussions recently about the future of internationalization of U.S. higher education. From more than one quarter, including a recent NAFSA task force last fall,

What Americans Say About Investing in International Education, Even in Challenging Economic TimesThe frequent drumbeat of “no new spending” and “pay down the debt” in Washington can be puzzling for people who know instinctively that even when times are tough,

First Lady Michelle Obama Says Study Abroad and "100,000 Strong" Initiative Make America Stronger Michelle Obama captivated an audience at Howard University this morning in talking about the importance of study abroad. The First Lady’s speech was scheduled as part

Remembering Sargent Shriver A Vision for the Peace Corps that Matters Now More Than EverI wish to note the passing yesterday of Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. For many

A Victory for Public Diplomacy Obama Administration Expands Academic Travel to CubaLast Friday, the international education community cheered when the White House took decisive action to expand academic travel to Cuba. President Obama has directed changes to regulations and policies

R.I. Gov. Chafee Has it Right A Welcoming Immigration Policy Contributes Much to U.S. Competitiveness and ProsperityAccording to the Associated Press, newly elected Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee rescinded an executive order of his predecessor on January 5 under which

Take the Time to Nominate a Colleague Today By Suzanne Marlay Receiving Life Membership at the annual conference in Kansas City last June was certainly a highlight of my career as an international educator. It was humbling, yet thrilling, to

Inside the Numbers How Foreign Students Contribute $18.8 Billion to U.S. EconomyBy Jason Baumgartner NAFSA’s latest annual economic impact statements estimate that international students at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $18.8 billion to this country’s economy during the 2009 2010