The New York City area is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in the United States, attracting nearly 100,000 international students as well as Fulbright scholars each year. Even as campuses enroll increasingly large numbers of overseas applicants, many admissions and foreign student officers struggle to serve their diverse, global student bodies who come from nearly every country in the world, with varying cultural backgrounds and expectations.

One To World began in 1977, with a $16,500 grant and a small group of international student advisors from New York University, Teachers College at Columbia University and International House, who with other like-minded early supporters formed a group to connect their international students with American life. Since that small start, One To World has broadened and deepened its role to equip its academic partners to successfully recruit, retain and graduate its international student body.

Inclusion Education and Training such as an intercultural competency workshop for universities in the New York area assists them in their hosting of international students, and helps to identify the special needs in order to help these students acclimate to the U.S. environment, and to be successful in their studies.

One To World offers complimentary monthly membership meetings for its institutional members on professional development, and for regular exchanges of best practices among international educators.

In 2015-2016, One To World equipped international educators from 75 colleges and universities in the New York area to engage with thousands of future leaders from over 140 countries successfully, forming bonds, and tapping their knowledge while establishing positive global alliances.

Jen E. Clarke