Ireland and the United States Sign Extension for the Work and Travel Program
A new agreement between Ireland and the United States will add a three-year extension to the Ireland Work and Travel (IWT) program, lengthening the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two governments. According to a press release by the U.S. Embassy Dublin, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Evan Ryan, and Her Excellency, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Anne Anderson, signed the diplomatic agreement to renew the visa program on December 5. According to the Irish Central, the IWT program has been renewed every two years for two years since its inception in 2008 – the December 5 signing marked the first time an extension was signed for more than two years.
U.S. Department of State Partners with Airbnb to Support Study Abroad
Secretary of State John Kerry and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announced a new partnership to support the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program by helping send more students to study abroad. In remarks delivered yesterday at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Secretary Kerry highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships to help increase global interconnectedness and mutual understanding:
ICE Releases 2015-2016 International Student Data
The number of exchange visitors and international students in the United States has increased by 5.4 percent since July 2015, according to data published in a quarterly report by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The number of J-1 exchange visitors in the U.S. grew from 244,766 in July 2015 to 258,012 in July 2016 (5.4% increase), while the number of F- and M-visa holders studying in the U.S. increased from 1.05 million in July 2015 to 1.11 million in July 2016 (5.5% increase).
IVLP participants enhance State Department counter-terrorism efforts
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants are contributing to U.S. counter-terrorism efforts through the State Department’s P2P: Challenging Extremism initiative, according to a recent article in Vice News.
Exchanges Matter: A Strategic Dialogue on Advancing Peace & Security through International Exchange Programs
Join the Alliance, Global Ties U.S., and our collaborating partners at our January 27 Exchanges Matter event – a high-level discussion of the critical role international exchange programs play in advancing peace and security.
Sessions will examine issues including the impact exchanges have across the U.S., how to harness the private sector to advance America’s public engagement objectives, and the role exchanges play in building mutual understanding and advancing U.S. foreign policy priorities.