Supporting international education & exchange

Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations.

– Senator J. William Fulbright

Who We Are

The International Coalition for Global Education and Exchange is a group of American and international businesses, NGOs, elected and community leaders, higher education institutions, and individuals who believe that bringing people together through international education and exchange can help tackle the world’s greatest problems.

Our mission is to connect international education and exchange stakeholders for shared media outreach, advocacy, and research that makes a compelling case for the critical value of global engagement and public diplomacy to achieve a more collaborative and peaceful world.

The COVID-19 crisis has led to an unprecedented slowdown and in many cases a complete halt in people-to-people exchanges. We believe that when the world is ready to connect face-to-face once again, international education and exchange programs will lead the way.

TIC Whitepaper.jpg — Read our latest whitepaper

The goals of the International Coalition for Global Education and Exchange

Goal 1

Renew, Continue, Expand

Renew, continue, and expand international education and exchange opportunities worldwide

Goal 2

Provide the Facts

Provide the facts to policymakers and the American people about these successful international exchange programs.

Goal 3

Educate Global Youth

Educate young people about international education and exchange opportunities

1 in 3 World Leaders is an alumnus of a U.S. Department of State exchange program.

Only 10% of U.S. college graduates have participated in education abroad.

Students and Exchange Visitors from more than 200 countries and territories visit the U.S. each year, many from countries critical to U.S. foreign policy.

International students created or supported more than 458,290 jobs across the United States across many industries.

90% of voters in a 2016 poll agreed that our nation needs an education system that produces educators, business leaders, and diplomats who understand other cultures and language.

International students contributed more than $41 billion to the U.S. economy in 2019, but there is increased competition from other English-speaking countries.

85% of study abroad participants whose programs were interrupted by COVID-19 during the Spring 2020 semester reported that they are still looking forward to traveling or studying abroad in the future.

The majority of study abroad alumni reported positive skill gains in 14 of the 15 soft and hard skills identified by employers as most desired competencies.