International Education and Exchanges
Patricia Harrison
Asssistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
Monday, November 29, 2004; 3:00 p.m. ET
This year marked the fifth year of International Education Week (Nov. 15-19), a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote the benefits of international education and exchange. Some programs include the Fulbright program, the International Visitor program and new programs geared towards high school and undergraduate students from the Middle East and countries with significant Muslim populations.
In a recent article featured in the Post Magazine Education edition, journalist Eric Wee interviewed a few dozen Muslim students from Arab and South Asian countries participating in a State Department exchange program (Worlds Apart, Post, Nov. 8).
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Patricia Harrison was online Monday, Nov. 29, at 3 p.m. ET to take your questions about international education exchange programs.
Harrison was sworn in as the assistant secretary of state for Educational and Cultural Affairs by Secretary of State Colin Powell on Oct. 2, 2001. Through U.S. Department of State-sponsored international education and exchange programs, she has focused on reaching a wider, more diverse public. She created "Partnerships for Learning" (P4L), a global initiative to provide young people with enhanced education and opportunity. Within a range of P4L programs are the first official U.S. high school exchanges with the Arab and Muslim world. She also directed the resumption of the Fulbright Program in Afghanistan and Iraq. As acting under secretary of state for Public Diplomacy during the Iraq conflict, Harrison also collaborated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to bring the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra to Washington, and has initiated a comprehensive renewal of the Baghdad National Museum.
The transcript follows
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over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Patricia Harrison: Good afternoon. It is nice to be able to join you today, and I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I hope to get an opportunity to respond to many of your questions over the next hour. As you see from the introduction, I am the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
(“ECA”). My bureau manages a wide spectrum of professional, academic, and cultural exchange programs, with more than 30,000 individuals—both from abroad and from the United States—participating in our programs each year. ECA manages the prestigious Fulbright program and the International Visitor Leadership Program. Thirty-four Nobel laureates and over 200 former or current heads of states are alumni of our programs. We also have begun the first ever government sponsored exchange program with high school students from the Arab and Muslim world.
With the Department of Education, we have just recently celebrated the fifth annual “International Education Week,” in which students, teachers, and citizens join together to recognize and celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange. More than a half million foreign students study in our universities each year, contributing to our academic institutions and our communities. Our website for International Education Week is the clearinghouse for all of the events that take place during the week—hundreds upon hundreds of events in communities across the U.S. and around the globe. Here are a couple of examples of events that took place in celebration of IEW2004:
--In Alexandria, Egypt, a series of events throughout the week included sessions on student life in the U.S. presented by Egyptian alumni of U.S. schools and specialized sessions for students interested in studying in the United States
--In Karachi, Pakistan an alumnus of one of our U.S.-government-sponsored high school exchange programs talked to a gathering of more than 100 high schools students about his experience in the U.S. as an exchange student in Albuqerque-New Mexico.
--A school in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, had daily announcements to the entire school featuring a short language lesson (hello, good bye and one other phrase) in a new language each day
--In Washington, DC, Fulbright students from Sri Lanka, Japan, Uganda, Mexico, Singapore, and South Africa gave presentations at a local elementary school on their home country.
These are just a few examples of the many, many events that took place during IEW2004.
Let’s get to the questions.
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Wheaton, Md.:
Isnt it true that most of these Muslim students still hate America?
Patricia Harrison: I often tell people that the best aspect of my job is that I get to see my own country through the eyes of our program participants.
Time and again I meet exchange participants-representing every faith, every country, every economic level, who tell me, after their program has concluded, that they they came to America with a fundamental misunderstanding of who Americans are and what they stand for.
Exchange participants tell me:
They had “no idea how much the average American volunteers to help others.”
Many of our exchange alumni return to their countries and communities with a clear idea of the “power of one” person to effect change.
A group of journalists from nothern Iraq were so impressed that not one American asked any of the group, “What is your religion?” “No one cared how we worship,” he said. “I want this kind of not caring for my country.”
We have high school students who are muslim and arab who come here despite the
myths and caricatures about who we are as a people. They are unofficial ambassadors educating Americans about their culture while they learn about ours.
We could just preach to the choir, and invite students who love us. I think that it is more valuable in the long-run to bring in people with a wide variety of viewpoints, and give them a chance to live in America and decide for themselves. Our evaluation process tells us that those who come here on exchange programs are motivated to work for civil societies, the rule of law and the non negotiable demands of human dignity when they return.
After going to Iraq last September, we restarted the Fulbright program in that country. Today we have 25 Iraqi men and women studying in the U.S. One of the students said,
“You have given me the keys to my future. I will study hard and return to my country to build the perfect society.”
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Lyme, Conn.:
What is your outreach for cultural and educational exchange programs in Islamic countries, some of which may be hostile towards us? I believe many Americans lack an understanding of the Islamic and, vice versa, many in other countries do not understand Americans. What are you doing to allow such an exchange of understanding which, over time, can lead to greater dialogue, perhaps in future generations? Patricia Harrison: A: I agree with you that there is a lacking of understanding going in both directions. In fact, my bureau is charged with the mission of “increasing mutual understanding.” And you have really hit the nail on the head when you say that we need to create a dialogue with future generations.
My primary focus as the leader of this bureau has been to reach out to younger audiences. Through our Partnerships For Learning program we work in partnership with people of good will, youth influencers such as clerics, teachers, journalists, coaches, counselors, womens organizations to ensure that the successor generation has the tools needed to meet opportunity.
We have hundreds of high school students studying in the United States from countries with significant Muslim populations in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Africa. We’ve started a new undergraduate program for students from the Middle East, and through our CultureConnect program we are sending prominent American cultural artists, musicians, and athletes to countries around the world to engage and interact with youth.
If we sustain this outreach to a younger more diverse group, we will be able to build on these relationships for the long term. Our goal is to increase mutual understanding, mutual respect between Americans and those of other countries through exchange programs. At the same time, we are using all the tools of technology as well to connect further. But nothing beats face to face. Long after the official program is over, our exchange participants have told us they continue to talk with, meet with, exchange views with the
Americans they met on their program. In the process, Americans who host people from other countries are enhanced by the experience as well.
If you are interested in learning how you can be part of the exchange experience,
WWW.exchanges.state.gov.
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Fairfax, Va.:
What do you think of the SEVIS system and other new (since 9/11) visa requirements? Are they hindering students coming to study in the US? Are actions being taken to fix the myriad of problems associated with the new regulations? Patricia Harrison: The United States is committed to fostering academic and scientific exchanges. Balancing our responsibility to protect our nation¡¦s borders with efficient and timely visa processing, we are keeping this commitment to scholars, scientists and exchange visitors. In no other area have we worked as hard to improve the visa process in order to achieve what Secretary of State Powell has called "secure borders" and "open doors."
The bottom line is we want and need people of good will to come to this country, as business persons, as students, as exchange participants, as educators, scientists and engineers. This influx of talent is what has made our country strong and vital over centuries. Since September 11, 2001, when our country was attacked we have worked on two parallel tracks: to ensure the security of those who visit and live here and to maintain the openness that attracts the best and brightest to our schools and economy.
Through a vigorous campaign involving all aspects of government, our Posts and consular affairs we are letting people know how to get a visa, what the rules and regulations are, what the waiting time is, what to expect. The fact is we have shortened the time, moved those applying for student visas to the head of the line and taken other steps that encourage those who want to come here.
Now we are dealing with perceptions much more than reality. We are utilizing media, both print and broadcast to convey that the welcome mat is out.
Here is what we have done:
Our embassies and consulates around the world have streamlined their visa interview systems and now give priority for appointments to student visa applicants during peak enrollment periods.
The department, in cooperation with other agencies, has been able to streamline the processing for cases subject to an interagency security review.
„X The Department has continued to enhance its systems to better screen applicants. We invested approximately $1 million in automation for interagency linkages to improve efficiency in the interagency process. This improved automation, coupled with interagency cooperation has enabled us to clear some 2,000 backlogged cases and reduced the average processing time from 70 days to 22 days.
„X We have also invested in staff. Since 2002, over 350 new consular Foreign Service positions have been added.
„X We¡¦ve placed the highest priority on expediting student visas by instructing U.S. embassies and consulates to provide expedited interviews specifically for students and exchange visitors.
„X We strive to provide the best possible screening of visa applicants in an effort to combat terrorism and prevent illicit technology transfer, we are also doing everything we can to welcome foreign visitors for legitimate travel. We understand -- and strongly believe -- that travel, trade and exchange of ideas are good for America and for the world.
We are, of course, working with the U.S. academic community to engage prospective international students, to ensure they know that the U.S. continues to welcome them to our shores and that we are facilitating their travel.
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Bethesda, Md.:
How many programs are part of the international education exchange and what are the qualifications of applicants? Are there any programs for young professionals? Patricia Harrison: We conduct more than 30,000 academic, professional and cultural programs annually. To do this we work with over 1500 public private organizations and over 80,000 volunteers.
Our flagship program is the Fulbright program and one of our most popular program, the one asked for by our Posts in every country is the International Visitor Leadership Program. If you go to our website you can learn about all of our programs—more than 120—and how to participate. WWW.exchanges.State.gov.
You can participate as an exchange participant or as a host for those who come to this country. You can host for one evening or one year. http://www.volunteers.state.gov.
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Washington, D.C.:
I have planned education exchanges for several years, many of which involved educators from the middle east. An almost universal observation from participants is that they are surprised to findout how much they have in common with Americans when it comes to life goals, morals, and "family values." Visitors are surprised by Americans' generosity, personal ethics, and spirit of community; they find our international presence in the form of foreign policy and popular media to be completely at odds with these values.
Why do you think this dichotomy exist between Americans' true lives and beliefs, and the message America projects to the world? Patricia Harrison: The people I meet express the same sentiments you have expressed. Once they come here and have a chance to talk and meet and observe they make up their own mind. In the words of one exchange participant from the middle east—I did not change my mind regarding foreign policy but I did begin to understand much more than what I had read before coming to the U.S. We have clerics and imams who come here convinced we are the epitome of a decadent culture and return to their countries determined to work for interfaith dialogue and understanding. Unfortunately, not everyone can come to this country as part of an exchange program. We must increase the numbers of citizen diplomats who can listen, engage, inform and influence when it comes to foreign policy. We need to have more journalists trained and eager to report factually and we need to
reach beyond elites to those young people who will eventually be the leaders of their countries. We have all been caricatured—Americans and Muslims—to the detriment of all of us. Through dialogue and interaction – working to increase peace, prosperity and freedom—we can engage with people of good will, without having to convince them
to agree with us on everything.
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Anonymous:
Do you think that PLUS students are doing their best to enhance understanding between both peoples?
Ahmed Ali, A PLUSer. Patricia Harrison: Ali, thank you for your question. PLUS students are building understanding just by being here and interacting with Americans. For those who may not know, the PLUS program is part of our Partnerships for Learning initiative that invites bright young men and women to come to this country for english training before going on to their studies in U.S. universities. While they are learning, Americans are learning as well about worlds beyond our borders. In the process, we are building relationships of goodwill for a lifetime and beyond.
The answer is a resounding YES.
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Penssylvania, Huntingdon. Juniata College:
I am Kurdo from Iraq, a PLUS student. I would like to thank you for your collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to bring the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra to Washington, and your initiative to a comprehensive renewal of the Baghdad National Museum. I just want to ask a question, with your conntinuous efforts to reach the variety of nations all over the world, do you have a specific plan for Iraq in the future to help Iraq reach other countries in the international programs that Iraq was banned from them for a while during the X regeme? Thank you. Patricia Harrison: Kurdo, thank you for your question. Since traveling to Iraq and meeting so many brave Iraqis who want peace, prosperity and freedom for their country, I am committed to continuing what we have started. We are so pleased that the Fulbright program is on its second round with so many applying. We are working with Yo-Yo Ma and continued training for the orchestra and of course, we are committed to training for museum curators. In addition, we are eager to see Iraqi universities restored at every level. Our new embassy is now up and running and we are increasing the numbers of International Visitors coming to the U.S. from Iraq. So the answer is Yes and thank you for all you are doing.
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Outside the beltway:
It's very nice of you to take this time, and I don't doubt for a minute your personal commitment to international educational exchange. But you're stuck. Because of your employers' policies and rhetoric, every year the panache of US higher ed goes down around the world. Fewer people want to come here, fewer people see America as a beacon because of the actions of the Bush administration. Really, what can you possibly do to make your tenure something other than a disaster -- through no fault of your own? Patricia Harrison: Thank you for your statement. No, I am not stuck. In fact, if you had the opportunity to actually listen to and meet with the men and women who come to this country on our exchanges you would be inspired as well. The panache of U.S. higher education is higher than ever. People want to come here. In fact, they are angry when they can’t come. That is why we are working hard to streamline the visa process, minimize the waiting time, while we also work to ensure that both those who come here and those who live here are safe. I wish you could have met, as I did, the brave women who taught young girls despite threats and some cases torture by the Taliban. They are here for teacher training and to them America is everything they hoped it would be. Or the Iraqi men whose hands were brutally destroyed by Saddam Hussein –they came here to get prosthesis. One of them said, “The American people have not only restored our hands, they have given us back our hearts.” Don’t be so quick to believe the myths and caricatures – they are dangerous when it comes to describing America and dangerous when they are used to demonize others. It is not what I am doing to make my tenure successful, it is what the people who come here are doing—they yearn for the freedoms we have, they see what is possible, and they return to build their own society, within their own culture, based on the non negotiable demands of human dignity.
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Patricia Harrison: I have enjoyed hearing from you. We need to do this more as I am sorry we did not get to all of your questions. Let me just say that this is our time, our time to do the one thing we can. It is up to each of you to determine how to utilize your talents. I encourage you to host an International Visitor or an exchange participant. I promise you it will be a rewarding experience.
For more information about hosting an international exchange student, please visit http://www.volunteers.state.gov.
Thank you
Pat Harrison
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