Press Release For Immediate Release October 20, 2008	Media Contacts: Sharon Witherell Institute of International Education (203) 984-5380 switherell@iee.org www.iie.org Mike Liberty American Institute For Foreign Study River Plaza, 9 West Broad St. Stamford, CT 06902-3788 (203) 399-5187 mliberty@aifs.com www.aifs.com

Institute of International Education and AIFS Foundation Release “U.S.-China Educational Exchange: Perspectives on a Growing Partnership”

New book marks the 30th anniversary of agreement on U.S.-China educational exchange

New York – The Institute of International Education (IIE) and the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation have released a new publication entitled U.S.-China Educational Exchange: Perspectives on a Growing Partnership. This is the first issue in a new series of Global Education Research Reports published by IIE with sponsorship from the AIFS Foundation. The book’s release coincides with the 30th anniversary of the U.S.-China “Understanding on the Exchange of Students and Scholars.”  The new publication includes essays by American and Chinese experts from government and academia and examines key issues in U.S.-China exchange from multiple perspectives, with the goal of strengthening these relationships by highlighting exchange models and best practices, as well as challenges and opportunities for future growth.

"With close to 10,000 Americans studying in China, and almost 70,000 students and 10,000 Chinese scholars in the U.S., educational exchange is one of the best vehicles for the continuing development of constructive relations between the two countries,” commented IIE President Allan Goodman.

According to AIFS President William L. Gertz, “the number of college students participating in study abroad in China has grown tremendously, and a plethora of other outbound opportunities for U.S. citizens will flourish during the coming decade.  We believe that this exchange between young people from our two nations will lead to a greater understanding of our widely different cultures and enable us to avoid future conflicts.”

This publication seeks to expand the range of practical information on U.S.-China academic exchange available to policymakers and practitioners. Offering a wide overview and analysis, the report includes chapters on exchange of teachers and students at secondary schools, exchange programs for advanced scholars, government sponsored programs in the U.S. and China, and case studies on successful university linkage initiatives. 

“Academic exchanges between the U.S. and China expand opportunities for U.S. students and faculty members to experience first-hand China’s growing impact in many areas of global significance,” said IIE Executive Vice President Peggy Blumenthal, who wrote one of the introductory essays, along with Deputy Secretary General Yang Xinyu of the China Scholarship Council.

IIE has taken an active role in designing and implementing international education and training programs in China as well as throughout East Asia and the Pacific. IIE maintains a network of offices to serve the region and supports the U.S. Department of State in administering the Fulbright program in China and globally, as well as other academic exchange programs. IIE also provides services to EducationUSA advising offices throughout the world, including more than 40 in China, and IIE offices in Hong Kong and Beijing organize U.S. higher education fairs in cities throughout East and Southeast Asia. 

AIFS offers semester and year-long study abroad programs at Nanjing University, which combine Chinese language study at all levels with content courses taught in English, and a multi-site summer program in Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai. The AIFS Foundation assists Chinese high school students coming to the U.S. through the Academic Year in America J-1 program, which allows them to become part of a family and learn more about the Unites States and its culture.

In addition to forewords by Allan Goodman and William Gertz and an introduction by Peggy Blumenthal and Yang Xinyu, chapter authors include: Thomas A. Farrell - U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Yang Xinyu - China Scholarship Council;  David Adams - Council for the International Exchange of Scholars; Margot Landman - National Committee on United States-China Relations; Charlotte Mason - China Exchange Initiative; Madelyn Ross - George Mason University; Carl Falsgraf - University of Oregon; Dana Bourgerie - Brigham Young University; Wang Yingjie - Beijing Normal University; and Shepherd Laughlin, Institute of International Education, who also edited the publication.  The new publication is available from IIEBooks at www.iiebooks.org.

About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education, founded in 1919, is a world leader in the exchange of people and ideas. IIE has a network of 20 offices worldwide, over 900 college and university members, and more than 6,000 volunteers. In collaboration with governments, corporate and private foundations, and other sponsors, IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors. These programs include the Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowships and the Gilman Scholarships administered for the U.S. Department of State, and the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships and The Language Flagship administered for the National Security Education Program. The Institute is a resource for educators and institutions worldwide, publishing IIEPassport study abroad directories in print and online ( www.IIEPassport.org). IIE also conducts policy research and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad. www.iie.org

About the AIFS Foundation
The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity, was established in 1967 to help young people from many nations and diverse cultures to better understand one another. The AIFS Foundation provides grants to high schools and institutions to encourage international and educational travel. The AIFS Foundation also sponsors the Academic Year in America (AYA) program, which enables international teenage students to live with an American host family while attending the local high school. www.aifsfoundation.org

About the American Institute for Foreign Study
Founded in 1964, the American Institute For Foreign Study is one of the largest and most experienced cultural exchange organizations in the world. With global offices in 5 countries, AIFS organizes cultural exchange programs for more than 50,000 participants each year. AIFS programs include college study abroad, au pair placement, international camp staffing, gifted education, high school study/travel and insurance services. More than one million students and teachers have participated in AIFS programs worldwide. www.aifs.com