National International Education Organizations Will Continue Annual International Education Week Tradition

Annual Tradition Started by the U.S. Departments of State and Education Turns 25

Washington (September 23, 2025) — The Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) have pledged to uphold the annual tradition of celebrating International Education Week (IEW) in November.

“IEW represents a special opportunity for collective celebration and reflection and has been a beloved tradition for international educators for a quarter of a century,” said Clare Overmann, CEO, Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). “We are pleased to help ensure that the field will again come together to demonstrate the value of the work we do and our dedication to it.”

Historically a joint effort of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, International Education Week has provided institutions in the United States with an opportunity to showcase the people, places, and power of global connections among its students, faculty, and staff for 25 years.

“At NAFSA, we remain steadfast in our belief that engagement across borders, languages, and cultures is essential to the success of U.S. students, institutions, and to our nation’s place in the world,” said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. “IEW is an important opportunity to amplify powerful stories of impact and to affirm our unwavering commitment to a globally connected and engaged future for the United States. We are pleased to play a role in continuing this time-honored tradition.”

“International Education Week has long been a cornerstone in our year-round work to demonstrate the importance of education abroad in preparing students for a globally interconnected world, “said Melissa Torres, President & CEO, The Forum on Education Abroad. “We are proud to continue IEW as a platform to convey—through the voices of students, educators, and communities—that international education is not a luxury, but rather a necessity for economic competitiveness, career readiness, and cross-cultural understanding.”

The Forum, NAFSA, and AIEA encourage the field’s continued engagement in International Education Week activities and to use inclusive hashtags such as #InternationalEd, #StudyAbroad and #StudyWithUS, and the jointly-offered social media graphics.

About AIEA:

The Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) is a member organization that equips leaders to shape the future of higher education in a global context. AIEA advances strategic transformational approaches to internationalization of higher education; empowers those who lead such efforts; convenes global conversation on key issues; and partners with other organizations around the world to develop sustainable, forward-looking perspectives.

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