Study Abroad

"If we are going to take advantage of the assumption that all people want peace, then the problem is for people to get together and to leap governments – if necessary to evade governments – to work out not one method but thousands of methods by which people can gradually learn a little bit more of each other." – U.S. President Eisenhower's remarks at the People-to-People Conference, September 11, 1956.

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the People-to-People Program on September 11, 1956 to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures. Eisenhower felt that creating understanding between people was essential to building the road toenduring peace.

Having international students on American campuses andAmerican students on campuses overseas ensures stronger people-to-peopleconnections, a critical element in sustaining important bilateralrelationships. In other words, having students studying around the world, andthen returning home to graduate and get jobs, benefits us all.

The recent decision by the U.S. government to revoke HarvardUniversity's ability to enroll international students, citing concerns overcampus policies and governance, is just one more piece of disturbing news comingout of this Administration. The retribution against U.S. universities is rootedin the Trump administration's efforts to impose unprecedented governmentoverreach and political interference in higher education. This includes fundingrevocations, deportation of students and other actions that threaten academicfreedom and student rights.

The decision, announced by the Department of HomelandSecurity, means that Harvard can no longer admit new international students,and current foreign students must transfer to other institutions or risk losingtheir legal status. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the government'saction, allowing international students to remain enrolled for now while legalproceedings continue.

International students play a crucial role on U.S. campuses,enriching academic and cultural life in so many ways.

·        International students’ diverse backgrounds,perspectives and experiences foster cross-cultural understanding, preparingboth domestic and international students for a globally connected world.

·        International students contribute to academicexcellence, often bringing unique insights, research contributions andinnovative problem-solving approaches.

·        International students help sustain university programs financially through tuition and fees, which can support scholarships and institutional growth.

·        International students enhance campuscommunities by sharing traditions, languages and viewpoints, creating anenvironment of inclusivity and global awareness.

·        International students’ presence strengthens international collaborations and provides opportunities for domestic students to engage with different cultures, broadening their horizons in meaningful ways.

Some of my best friends in college were international students – friends who are still close with me today – and my life is much richer because of our deep friendship.

Academic leaders have vowed to resist these actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting the field, their staff and their students. The letter from the American Association f Colleges and Universities, signed by many college presidents, outlines the concerns and opposition to undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live and work on campuses. The letter calls for institutions to serve as centers of open inquiry, free from fear of retribution, censorship or deportation. Read the full letter here: Read the full letter from universities opposing ‘government intrusion’ | PBS News

I have rediscovered the acute relevance of many of Eisenhower’s quotes to today’s time, and this one also seems on point, “Anytime we deny any citizen the full exercise of his constitutional rights, we are weakening our own claim to them.”