Alliance for International Exchange

The last 48 hours have been good ones for Department of State international exchange programs. The ongoing funding freeze seems to be unthawing.   As of today, Alliance for International Exchange members report having received over 85% of outstanding payments that had been withheld due to the ongoing funding freeze. The payment pause has still not officially been lifted that we’re aware of – but payments began trickling through to implementing organizations over the past 10-12 days, and really picked up steam this week. At the end of last week, Alliance members had seen ~25% of payments come through. Over the past 48 hours, that number has shot up to ~85%.   This is incredibly encouraging progress. A new payment process within the State Department seems to be coalescing and through that process, a rhythm of payments is slowly but surely developing.    Despite this progress, challenges still remain. It’ll take implementing organizations some time to restabilize after the disruption of nearly two months without funding. And organizations need to have confidence that this new payment process will continue to work and that they can count on future funding.   We couldn’t have gotten to this important moment without the exchange community’s overwhelming action. The advocacy campaign led by the Alliance, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and The Forum on Education Abroad generated more than 24,000 letters to more than 500 Congressional offices (through both the Alliance’s and NAFSA’s letter-writing systems). This is an incredible and unparalleled response. Thank you for your advocacy and energy.   This is an important step in protecting exchange programs and our field. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating this progress, while noting that we have to remain vigilant and fight for exchanges each and every day.

I am grateful to work with programs that have a profound impact on individuals and communities. Exchange programs make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous - a message I shared on Capitol Hill during the Alliance for International Exchange's #2025AdvocacyDay.

Our Senior Manager Field Support, Nancy Morin, shared her experience attending Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., representing Greenheart International and The Alliance for International Exchange. Click below to learn more about the event and advocating for cultural exchange. #culturalexchange #greenheartexchange #advocacyday2025

As a current Fulbright scholar abroad, I am advocating not only for my own safety but also for the safety of scholars, students, and educators worldwide and for the safer world we create through collaborative research, cooperation, dialogue, and educational exchange. People-to-people diplomacy works! Learning from and with one another fosters peace, curiosity, and understanding. #StandforFulbright

The current international exchange program funding pause undermines U.S. national security and global influence. In the next six months, 17,500+ leaders from around the world are planning to come to the U.S. on short-term exchange programs. That is 17,500+ opportunities to make the U.S. safer and stronger on the world stage. Urge Congress to Restore Vital International Exchange Program Funding: https://lnkd.in/egEKHJQD #ExchangesAreAmerica #StudyAbroad #LearnWithTheWorld #ExchangesMatter

Last week, nine senior staff and directors from American Councils for International Education joined over 160 international exchange professionals on Capitol Hill for #2025AdvocacyDay, organized by the Alliance for International Exchange. We met with 27 offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives to highlight how international exchange programs directly advance America’s security, global competitiveness, and economic growth. Exchange programs are essential tools for strengthening bilateral U.S. alliances, expanding global business networks, and equipping Americans with the skills needed to lead in an increasingly competitive world. Robust U.S. investment in strategic language study, public diplomacy programs, workforce training, and entrepreneurship opportunities equips Americans for continued leadership in the global economy and strengthens our ability to combat threats to our national security. Moreover, 90% of funds from the Department of State exchanges budget is spent in the U.S. on transportation, lodging, meals, and related costs, bolstering the U.S. economy.  At American Councils, we see firsthand how international education builds trusted partnerships, supports national interests, and helps position the United States as a global leader. With over 50 years of experience and a network of 100,000+ alumni, we remain committed to advancing international exchange as a strategic investment in a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for America.    #ACGlobal #ExchangesImpact #WhyWeExchange #AdvocacyDay 

I had an incredible time representing InterExchange last week at the Alliance for International Exchange annual Advocacy Day in DC. It was inspiring to hear Sen. Cory Booker and Scott Weinhold's passionate remarks on the power of cultural exchange, and even more impactful to join participants in meeting with over 140 Congressional offices. We shared stories of how international exchange programs don’t just enrich lives — they play a critical role in soft diplomacy, strengthening America’s global leadership by building mutual understanding and trust. These connections make our country safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and I’m proud to be part of the effort to champion them. #exchangesmatter #culturalexchange

Last week, the Alliance welcomed a record 160 participants to Washington, DC for our annual Congressional Reception and Advocacy Day. Participants met with 140+ Congressional offices to share how important international exchange programs are in making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. The Alliance extends its sincere thanks to Senator Cory Booker and Scott Weinhold for their remarks during our Congressional Reception. #2025AdvocacyDay #ExchangesImpact #ExchangesMatter 

Last week, we visited Capitol Hill as part of #2025AdvocacyDay, where, alongside our colleagues, we met with Congressional staff to speak about the power of exchange programs. We discussed how cultural exchange programs make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. We also shared stories of our amazing students and host families whose lives have been positively impacted by participating in our program. Thank you to the offices of Representatives David Valadao and Tony Wied for taking the time to listen to us and learn more about all the amazing ways exchange programs lift us up. At STS Foundation, we are proud to be one of the many programs that are part of the Alliance for International Exchange, and we could not be more grateful for the opportunity to take part in Advocacy Day 2025. It is all part in continuing our mission to foster greater mutual understanding and to empower young people to grow through cultural exchange.