Global Education is More Necessary Now than Ever

President Trump has indicated his intent to try and close the Department of Education imminently, and last week major layoffs were announced. The impacts of these changes are far-reaching with myriad potential negative effects on students, including those seeking global learning experiences. One of the key functions of the Department of Education, and the majority use of its budget, is to directly provide grants and loans in the form of federal student aid to students seeking higher education. Major staff reductions and interrupted operations negatively affect students enrolled in US colleges and universities, including those seeking study abroad and global experiential learning opportunities, with cascading effects on the workforce. 

The recent DOE changes build on funding freezes and other actions that negatively impact students. In a joint press release put out earlier this week by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Alliance for International Exchange, and the Forum on Education Abroad, the organizations commented on the Trump Administrations failure to lift a 15 day freeze on State Department grant programs:

“The freeze on State Department grant programs threatens the survival of study abroad and international exchange programs that are essential to U.S. economic and national security,” said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. “Study abroad programs like the Gilman and Fulbright Scholarships provide opportunities for students who might not otherwise have a global education,” said Melissa Torres, president and CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad. “The Critical Language Scholarship and IDEAS programs build the language skills of U.S. students and broadens their access to destinations where American engagement is particularly important. These experiences help prepare students for a globally connected workforce.”

This is a community that believes deeply in the power of cultural humility, intercultural learning, and global citizenship. We know that there is more potential for thriving and solving complex problems  when we are globally engaged and informed. What can we do to take action at this moment?

-Listen to a webinar offered by CFHI’s Global Medical Director, Dr. Jessica Evert, and Sharon Rudy, Ph.D., former Program Director of the USAID Global Health Fellows Program, who offered reflections on the question: “What Good Are Global Health Skills? Navigating Career Decisions in Uncertain Times”

-Support inclusive, culturally-informed experiential learning; Join CFHI’s “Sponsor a global citizen” campaign.

-Remain committed to best practices in global health education: Join the Community Based Global Learning Collaborative including several members of CFHI’s leadership team for the following free webinar: “Unintended Consequences of Short-Term Global Health Activities: Impacts on Local Health Systems, Lessons from Latin America”.

-Write a personalized letter to Congress: Visit Nafsa.org/SaveECAFunding to use the email template to urge Congress to demand that funding be restored. It is important that you customize the message on NAFSA’s website with specific examples of how this funding cessation is having a direct impact on your students and community

-Post on social media: The Forum on Education Abroad has developed sample social media messages, graphics, and hashtags (#SaveStudyAbroad #SaveGilman) for you to use to spread the message on your social networks. Access the social media toolkit here.

-Connect with our team to exchange ideas and discuss the current moment:

Forum Annual Conference: March 19–21, 2025 | Toronto, Canada
Reach out to: Bethany Petersen, Assistant Director of Health and Safety – [email protected]

NAFSA Conference – International Education: May 27–30, 2025 | San Diego, CA Reach out to: Robin Young, Executive Director – [email protected] or Mariah Blevins, Program Coordinator – [email protected]

Thank you for being here,

Robin Young

Executive Director

Child Family Health International