Department of State Reports Record High Number of International Students in the United States at Start of International Education Week

From November 18-22, the Department of State, in partnership with the Department of Education, will celebrate International Education Week (IEW), an annual joint effort to highlight the benefits to students, families, and communities in the United States and abroad of international educational exchange. This year's theme, "Explore," invites students, scholars, institutions, and others to explore international education opportunities that equip them with the skills and knowledge to succeed.

Launching IEW today, the Department of State, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education (IIE), released the annual Open Doors Report, which measures and outlines trends in international student mobility. Now in its 75th year, Open Doors reports more than 1.12 million international students studied at U.S. colleges and universities in the 2023-2024 academic year, a record high that underscores Secretary Blinken's commitment to making the United States the top destination for international study. The economic activity of international students also makes significant contributions to the U.S. economy, bringing in more than $50 billion in 2023, according to the Department of Commerce. To learn more about the Open Doors data, visit opendoorsdata.org.

In addition to the Open Doors Report, the Department will highlight key aspects of international education throughout the week, including: #StudyWithUS efforts to recruit international students to study in the United States; foreign language-learning opportunities for U.S. citizens as well as English language opportunities for students in other countries; and alumni of international educational exchange who made a positive difference in their communities and countries.

As part of IEW, approximately 1,700 high school students participating in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) programs will share about their countries and cultures in schools and communities across the United States. Last year, students from these programs conducted nearly 6,100 presentations during IEW, reaching more than 110,000 Americans.

More information can be found at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs International Education Week website. For press inquiries, contact [email protected]. Follow the conversation on social media at #IEW2024.

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