Recognizing that international education and exchange programs further national security and foreign policy priorities, enhance economic competitiveness, and promote mutual understanding and cooperation among nations.

recognizes that international education and exchange programs enhance national security, significantly further United States foreign policy goals and economic competitiveness, and promote mutual understanding and cooperation among nations;

encourages international education and exchange programs to ensure that the United States maintains a broad international knowledge base;

supports international education and exchange programs as a means to strengthen foreign language skills and foster a better understanding of the world by United States citizens, especially youth;

commends the American and international education and exchange participants, volunteers, educators, program alumni, host families, high schools, institutions of higher education, and host communities for their involvement in such programs; and

celebrates the integral role international education and exchange programs play for the United States and its people.