State of the Field 2025: Forum on Education Abroad

The Forum on Education Abroad’s tenth State of the Field survey reflects a pivotal moment for the field. After a comprehensive review and revision process, the 2024 survey was streamlined to be more relevant to today’s evolving landscape – yielding double the participation of the 2022 survey and increased engagement from institutions outside North America.

Key takeaways from this year’s report include:

• Program trends: Short-term faculty-led programs and reciprocal exchanges remain strong, while experiential learning opportunities like internships and research continue to grow.
• Staffing and retention: There has been a modest recovery in education abroad staffing since the 2022 report and this year's survey provides new insights on workload disparities between well-staffed and understaffed institutions.
• Top concerns: Political climates in the United States and around the world have jumped to the top of the list of concerns, alongside persistent concerns about funding, access, and student support.

With perspectives from across the globe, the 2025 report highlights both shared priorities and critical differences in institutional operations. In a rapidly shifting landscape, international educators are navigating tensions, innovating for the future, and reimagining best practices. As always, The Forum stands ready with resources, Standards of Good Practice, and a collaborative network to support the field’s continued evolution.