The conference where NAFSA was born

The following are some of my very brief research notes that I thought I would share on IHEC Blog:


In 1948, the Conference on International Student Exchange was organized and held at the University of Michigan. The purpose of this conference was “to assist the educational institutions and agencies of the United States to develop an expanding international cultural relations program, particularly through student exchange.” Representatives attended the conference from colleges and universities from all over the United States, Peru, India, and Canada, as well as representatives from independent and government agencies interested in international education. As a result, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, was organized and has served as a key leader in international education to this day.
There is, of couse, so much more interesting history on the early days of the organizaiton.  For a brief 60 year history of NAFSA (two pages) chick here. 

Referencing back to my January 20th IHEC Blog Resources of Interest Found in the “Bury Book International Education Library & Archive” post I wanted to highlight an additional piece of literature related to this post that I am fortunate to have in my personal collection:

Hugh M. Jenkins  (1979, September).  Leafing Through the History and Future of the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs: A Glance Back, A Glimpse Forward.  Washington, DC:  National Associtation for Foreign Student Affairs.